All the people on this page took the Phil Parker Lightning Process Training with Heather. All the stories are written by the people themselves, with written and signed permission given to use their testimonials on this website. To view the TV news item in Norwegian of Aina Grunnsund's recovery: click here Aina had suffered from M.E. for 7 years and took Heather's Seminar in Oslo, March 2008.
Ania Grunnsund: 'I am so grateful for learning the lightning process, I have turned my life... ...I know I will make great progress in the future and I have a life I love! Many thanks to Heather for being such a great trainer!!!! A fantastic trainer actually...Thank you, thank you, thank you...:-) ' To read more of Aina's story click here
Sophie: 'The last 10 months have probably been the most exciting months of my life. Not only have I gone from ME to NOT having ME ever again, but I feel better then ever. I'm more relaxed, I enjoy every part of my life, and as you taught us; ...You've changed my life in more ways than I thought you would when I signed up to join the training program in London.' To read more of Sophie's story click here
Berit had Fibromyalgia for over 10 years:
'I had amazingly been able to experience energy and vitality that had been out of my reach for over a decade. The training sessions had given me powerful tools and I felt confident that I was on my way out of the prison this condition had placed me in.' To read more click here
Sylvia: 'It was remarkable. I had three consecutive daily sessions. At the end of the first I felt good and went for a long walk in the woods, and made good progress each day. No longer do I have to be tentative about social engagements. I wake in the morning with the desire to get up and get on with my day. I had a wonderful Christmas with both of my families all together (10 of us) for 5 days.' To read more click here
Richard: 'At the end of the first day, I no longer had ME. Not only that, I felt I would never have it again! No relapses for me. I was going to use this thing to keep well and I have done so.' To read more of Richard's story click here
Gale: 'The added benefits of increased confidence and self-esteem, which come from doing the Lightning Process are a very welcome bonus, now all I have to do is to decide in which direction to take my new life as the possibilities are endless!' To read more click here
Fiona: She had M.E. for 8 years, mostly housebound and was unable to stand for more than a few seconds. 'It's now eight months since I did the Lightning Process training programme with Heather and I'd like to report that things are still going unbelievably well. I can do as much exercise as I like with no ME symptoms whatsoever and I have as much (if not more) energy than anyone I know.' To read story in full click here
Marianne: 'I had ME for ten years. I was bedridden 24-7 for six years. I did the LP-course December 2007... The second day of the course I sat up in the sofa all day. No blanket, no hot waterbottles. No symptoms. After the third day I visited my best friend, enjoying bringing her and her whole family awe. I really haven't had any physical ME-symptoms after the first evening of the LP-course.' To read more click here
Anne: 'I was severely affected with ME and bed-bound 24 hours a day'... ... Now - five months after the seminar- I live a completely normal life with my family and friends. I am walking 8 - 12 km fast in the forest each day, doing things with my son, family and friends. I can do whatever I want of socially activities; parties, cinema, shopping etc etc. It feels like a MIRACLE !!' For more click here
Vanessa: 'I've driven my car, been shopping to Sainsbury's, cooked my own dinners (and begun to discover a bit of a masterchef!), eaten whatever I've liked, had showers, been out to my bible study group, used the washing machine, dishwasher and hoover (previously unimaginable due to the noise!), been thinking so clearly, listened to music again (such a joy!), watched telly with the colour on and the volume up, been out for walks in the park and to the village, had a long chat with a friend, and countless other things! On the one hand, it feels so natural to do all these things, and at the same time, so very new and wonderful!' To read more of Vanessa's story click here To view the magazine article about her click here
Marianne: In June we were one week on holiday to the Netherlands, and I was walking for a whole day in Amsterdam! Earlier I was really afraid to fly, but now I am completely relaxed. Every day I am walking and training with my dog, and tomorrow we are going to compete in obedience!:-) I have also been able to read a lot of books. So, you see - I can do everything that I want!! Heather, I am SO GRATEFUL for what you and the Lightning Process gave to me and my family!!' To read more click here
Ingrid: It's been about a month since I went to the LP seminar and my life has completely changed. It's actually a bit difficult to remember all the changes I've made because it feels so natural to be well now. To read more of her story click here
Update from Ingirid December 2009, 18 months after the seminar: "I'm still doing great. I take dance classes 3 days a week and love it :)"
Tone: There`s been a lot of positive changes since I spoke with you. I still have a lot of energy every day - and I do a lot of things everyday! I still get up at about 0830 every morning - feeling good and ready for a new day :-) And I don`t have to lay down and rest during the day. I sleep well and I don't use any painkillers for my back and muscles. I tolerate sounds (like in cafès) and I can stay many hours in town shopping and talking to friends at cafès. To read more of Tone's story click here
Stephanie: 'I now work longer hours and instead of having a 3 hour sleep when I get home from work I go to the gym for 1 hour, come home and walk the dogs and then cook dinner! It is fantastic to have energy when I need it. M.E. was a living hell, but I'm past that now and I'm proud!' To read more of her story click here
Catherine M.E. for 20 years
I did the training a year ago now, can both dream and do - lots!
I'd like to thank my trainer Heather Thomas. She was fantastic - steady, firm, intuitive, compassionate, with a sure touch every time! She handled things beautifully . I am very grateful and couldn't have wished for more.
I relish my strength and trust myself.
Sigrid: 14 years old. She had M.E. for 1 year after a virus. Had to rest, could do no activities:
'I'm fantastic, and I live the life I love! I join the classes a 100%, I play football and meet friends. This summer I joined a lot of camps and I live a social life! To read more click here
Ruth: 'I had CFS for about 10 years...One year on from the Lightning Process seminar, where I got my energy and life back, I am leading a 'normal' life.' For more of what she says click here
Liv: 'We decided to celebrate the new year's eve on the mountain. So we did! And I carried my own backsack!! That was one of my goals. What a change... IT'S FANTASTIC!!! Thank you for your course. It has been the biggest change in my life!' To read the rest of her story click here
From Eldrid:
It amazes me to see my daughter take the bus by her self. For most people that would be a common thing, counting that the daughter is a 19 year old. But mine was sick for 6 years with ME.
We tried everything! Vitamins, acupuncture, medicine, changing food.... You name it, we tried it. And we had SO "many good advices" from people! Some thought she was just lazy, some thought she was plain dumb.
My daughter missed a lot of school. She saw a lot of doctors. She went to a lot of hospitals and went though a lot of examinations. We discovered that sun was good for her so my husband bought us a trip to Bulgaria. She blossomed! But then it was back to basic when we came back to cold and rainy Norway.
Then my daughter became pregnant at the age of 18. I kind of panicked. I was sad not only because she was pregnant before she had the chance of finishing school, but also because she was ill. I thought I was not only going to be a grandmother, but I figured I was going to have to be a "mother" to the baby too. Full-time working grandmother with a sick daughter and a baby to take care of! I dreaded it! Then I heard about Heather Thomas and her treatment. It was expensive for us, but my daughter had some money coming in. We contacted Heather and we went to Rickmansworth with high hopes in march. The baby was due april 19......
The time with Heather made a HUGE difference! The first day we came my daughter was very weak. I thought of how to get her to eat dinner at night. I thought I had to go get some takeaway and take it to the room at the hotel. But when we returned to the hotel at night, she demanded that we should go out to eat! I was stunned! Just STUNNED! That night I actually fell asleep before her! And the next morning she went shopping before AND after all the time we spent with Heather!
We came home and the first thing my husband said was that he noticed the change in our daughter. She was calmer, not so angry and she had more energy. HE had gotten a new daughter.
The baby, a BEAUTIFUL boy was born at april 17th by a energetic woman that went though labor like she never had ME before! She has single-handed taken care of the baby and it amazes me to see how she copes. I am ONLY the grandmother, just like it's supposed to be. She is no more tired than other new moms and she takes the boy to activities and she goes to the movies and takes the bus and go for walks and......... She is a NORMAL young mom. No, let me correct that. She is a WONDERFUL young mother! And she is my daughter!
Thank you, Heather! Best regards Eldrid Antonesen, the most grateful mother/grandmother in the world!
Magazine Article 'My Abbots News' July 09
The article is a reporter's interpretation of the interview with Vanessa and there are some slight inaccuracies within the article, particularly that there is an application process to be under-taken before being accepted on a seminar. However the results are as reported. More detail about Vanessa's journey can be read by clicking here
It's been a while since I've written you, and I thought I'd send you another little update to let you know how well I'm doing! I'm sure you have a lot of people in training, and can't possibly remember all of us, but I'm sure you can't get enough success stories! :)
The last 10 months have probably been the most exciting months of my life. Not only have I gone from ME to NOT having ME ever again, but I feel better then ever. I'm more relaxed, I enjoy every part of my life, and as you taught us; I now shape my life however I want it to be. Right now I'm running at least once a day, and last week I went to Voss to an extreme sports festival, climbing the most difficult routes I've ever climbed. I feel healthy, and as time goes by I feel like my ME-period is completely over. I feel so well prepared to face any obstacle that's put in my way, that I'm starting to accept that I'll never go back to any of the bad stuff ever again.
I don't even have to think about doing the LP anymore, it's become natural to me.
So this spring I "graduated" along with my classmates, and I got top grades in all subjects! Next spring I'll finish the subjects I had to drop last year, and after that I hope to have good enough grades to get in to medicine-studies in Norway.
I hope everything is good with you. Thank you again for doing what you do, helping people get well must be the best job in the world.
You've changed my life in more ways than I thought you would when I signed up to join the training program in London.
Berit Frivold: Lightning Process Group Oslo July 2008
My Journey to Recovery from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
I am a nurse, the fortunate mother of 2 wonderful children and married to a loving and Supportive husband who is a cardiologist. It's now 14 years since I first saw a Rheumatologist with complaints of muscle pains and severe fatigue. I found these symptoms very distressing and difficult to cope with. As time progressed I was overwhelmed by a sense of fatigue and problems focusing and concentrating. After thorough exams no specific etiology was uncovered and I was given a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
I had experienced a stubborn throat infection but did not think much of it at the time. As the symptoms progressed I was recommended physical therapy and started an exercise program with little benefit. As I got pregnant with my second child my symptoms improved, but returned again after I stopped breast feeding. I found myself attempting to conserve energy and in the process gradually withdrawing from social events as well as struggling to keep up with the demands of daily life. My Rheumatologist tried me on a variety of medications; painkillers, antidepressants, stimulants and sleeping pills in order to suppress my aches and pains, boost my energy and concentration, and enhance my sleep. I tried all kinds of dietary supplements including Ambrotose (at double strength for 6 months) and D-ribose. I consulted an allergist who put me on a strict anti-candida diet and anti-fungal medications. This helped some of the minor symptoms, but had little effect on the pain and fatigue. I also tried many forms of 'complementary medicine' including acupuncture, kinesiology and herbal supplements, - all without significant benefits. I even consulted with a psychiatrist and read books on positive thinking, but experienced no significant improvement .
My lack of concentration ("brain-fog") was making it ever more difficult to do the things I needed to do, like driving, attending seminars and meetings, shopping, etc, and I found my life getting more and more limited by my failing health. I often stayed home from social and school events and my husband and kids were getting used to a social life without me.
I was getting desperate for a cure, and refused to accept what I read in the medical literature - that very few recoveries were observed especially in patients afflicted for more than 8 years. I was a member of the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Deficiency Association (CFIDS), and read all I could come across about my condition whenever I could find the strength. I often spent several hours a day searching the internet. The work of Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum fascinated me, since it at least offered some hope of improvement, and I finally signed up with one of his colleagues, a pioneer in the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center concept. The first few months I thought I felt slightly better, but I soon had to admit to myself that my investment was not paying off in terms of significant and lasting improvement in energy, ability to concentrate or improvement in my quality of life.
Even though I didn't get the improvement I was seeking through these means I still want to emphasize that I am very grateful for the support of these individuals and organizations. Because of the elusive nature of this disease, and the difficulty obtaining results with standard therapies, most medical practitioners would be tempted to avoid seeing patients like me. I was, however, fortunate to meet physicians who took me seriously, believed me and encouraged me along the way.
Feeling quite disillusioned and not at all ready for any new "wonder cures", I was less than impressed when my mom wanted me to look into a program called the 'Lightning Process'. My mother related the experience of a friend who had made a remarkable recovery from a 20 year illness of chronic fatigue. She was also a nurse and had been on state disability due to her illness. My mother told me of her dramatic recovery and put me in touch with her.
A three day training session leading to such dramatic results sounded too good to be true. What I could not argue with though, was the sheer numbers of people reporting fast and dramatic results through this training. To my surprise my husband (who had already seen me through lots of 'promising', but disappointing and often costly attempts) was very supportive of the idea of trying this training program. He had independently read reports on the internet and the results were impressive. I must admit I was very skeptical. After having tried so much without significant results to show for all my efforts I was not ready for another let-down. The explanations of the program given to me by my recovered friend, on the Lightning Process' web-site and in the screening interview I had completed with the instructor answered most of my questions. It also became clear to me that, as with most training experiences, the only way I could fully understand the program was by actually taking it. Through this process of inquiry and investigation I felt I had enough information to make the decision to apply.
The rest is now history -
I attended a 3 day session while our family were vacationing in Norway in the summer of 2008. We were 7 participants. My husband was eagerly waiting to pick me up after the first day, and I was hopeful but still too cautious to celebrate. Amazingly I felt energized, but was afraid of this being another fleeting experience setting me up for a let-down when the initial 'placebo-effect' would wear off. After the 3rd day, however, I felt quite confident that this would be the recovery I had dreamt about. I had amazingly been able to experience energy and vitality that had been out of my reach for over a decade. The training sessions had given me powerful tools and I felt confident that I was on my way out of the prison this condition had placed me in.
It has now been more than 10 months since I took the training, and my energy has consistently been back to the level it was before I got sick. This has allowed me to add to my nursing degree by becoming a Lightning Process Practitioner, traveling to London every month to study with Phil Parker at his Training Institute.
Berit Frivold now works herself as a practitioner in California, U.S.
Since doing the Lightning Process almost 2 months ago I am still finding it difficult to take in the enormity of the change it has made to my life. Every day since then has been like an amazing voyage of discovery as I incorporate my newfound freedom into daily living, and as I rise to meet each new challenge I am continually reinforcing the empowerment and improvements I have made. Over 4 years ago I became very ill and was diagnosed with M.E. after 8 or 9 years of recurrent viral infections. In my search for a solution I tried many forms of treatment including homeopathy, reiki, reflexology, nutritional supplements, exclusion diets, E.F.T., C.B.T., pacing and a graded exercise programme. All of these helped to some degree, but much to my disappointment, I still suffered the frustrating and debilitating symptoms of 'moderate' M.E.
My decision to do the Lightning Process came like a 'bolt from the blue' one miserable Monday, when I lay on my bed still attempting to recover from a rare outing the previous Friday evening. By contrast, this very happy Monday, I am writing my success story, after having been out on Saturday night from 8 until 1, listening to a rock band, and dancing! Yes me, who struggled to walk 20yds on good day was dancing! This is rapidly becoming a regular thing for me, and although I do find I need to take it a bit easy the next day (I am 53 after all!) I just think of myself as being in convalescence at the moment. My sister, who had Fibromyalgia for many years, decided also to do the Lightning Process, after seeing my incredible transformation, now she has recovered completely too, which was wonderful for me to see and, is further confirmation of the power of this Process!
I am gaining strength and stamina as every day goes by, and as my energy levels increase I am able to do more and more. I find I actually love the feeling of muscle ache now, because it's a different, good feeling of underused muscles building up. Since day 2 of the Lightning Process I've had virtually no 'pay back' apart from a normal tiredness, which any healthy person would expect after a long illness. Neither do I get dizziness, brain-fog, nor that horrible 'poisoned' feeling which was such a usual part of my life for so long. If I do hit a problem I use the Process and the problem disappears, and knowing that my trainer, Heather Thomas, is always only a phone call away is a great comfort. I really cannot speak highly enough of Heather who is an absolute star. She is great fun, and is a wonderfully caring and genuinely lovely person, but she is also a very conscientious teacher who is persistently determined to ensure the training programme is perfectly understood. When the initial excitement in the first few days after doing the Process wore off I began sleeping like a baby, to awake refreshed and alert and filled with a wonderful feeling of aliveness and joie de vie, which I never really expected to last, but it has! The added benefits of increased confidence and self-esteem, which come from doing the Lightning Process are a very welcome bonus, now all I have to do is to decide in which direction to take my new life as the possibilities are endless! I would like to take this opportunity to offer my most profound gratitude to Heather, and also of course to Phil Parker himself, without whom none of this would have been possible. How can you thank someone for giving you back your life? As far as I'm concerned the man is an absolute genius and I will be forever indebted to him, bless him!
It has been two months since Heather Thomas taught me the Lightning Process and utterly transformed my life. Over the course of the three days of seminars I went from having severe ME to being completely healthy. I know it sounds too good to be true, and sometimes I can hardly believe it myself, but I just have to look in my diary to see all the amazing things I've been doing for the evidence. Before attending the Lightning Process seminars I had had fairly severe ME for over eight years and had been virtually housebound for the whole of that time. I needed a lot of help around the house, only had the energy to shower once every 2 or 3 days and only went out once or twice a month. I had to pace all my activities, having long rest periods in bed during the day, to avoid exacerbating my symptoms which were primarily a flu-like post-exertional malaise, aching glands, muscle pains and weakness. I also had a major problem with standing: my blood pressure would drop and I would feel very ill after standing for more than a few seconds. My illness had begun on 8 March 1999 - I know the exact date as I had a very acute onset following a glandular fever type virus in the February of that year. I went on holiday to Spain when still unrecovered from the virus and overdid things both physically (walking miles every day, not eating or sleeping enough) and mentally (being in a foreign country unable to speak the language and constantly being alert) which put a great strain on my nervous/immune systems. A few months before this I had had a tetanus and polio immunisation at the same time which I reacted badly to and which I believe had also stressed my immune system. I had read about the Lightning Process in the mainstream press and AfME journals and although I didn't dismiss it completely I was very sceptical. In fact I was actually upset that something that appeared to be a 'mind over matter' instant 'cure' was getting so much publicity as I knew my ME was a very physical illness. I had tried so hard over the years to do everything and anything I could to get over my illness and had always been so positive but I had remained as ill as ever. Also it was rather expensive and as I didn't know of any practitioners local to me the thought of travelling up to London put me off - how would I get there and once there how would I get to and from the clinic from the B&B?? But then a friend called to tell me that someone I'd known through my local ME support group had done it and was a 'new woman' - and when it is someone you know it seems different. I thought I would investigate a bit more and was soon talking to Heather. She sounded very sane and intelligent and had herself been severely affected by ME for many years and had recovered her health using the Lightning Process just the year before. The venue was much more ME-friendly - a big farmhouse set in quiet countryside that I could get to without putting people out too much, the training room had sofas and I could stay overnight in the same building and use the kitchen. The next thing I knew I was booked on the course for the following week. I was still slightly sceptical but there was a lot I had read in the book ('An Introduction to the Lightning Process') that had made sense to me so I was optimistic and excited. I have to say that at the end of the first day of the three-day course I was very worried that it wasn't going to work for me - so much so that I got virtually no sleep and was very close to getting my Mum to come to collect me the next morning - but doing the first bit of the process we had been taught did seem to be helping a tiny bit and in the morning I got up and had a shower standing up for the first time in years with only minimal symptoms so (thank goodness!!) I stayed.
By the middle of day two I actually managed to get my symptoms to lessen as I was standing being talked through the process so I knew something was happening and by the end of the day I was standing in comfort for quite long periods. As that had been one of my major problems I knew if I could overcome that I could do anything. All day I had been worrying about going out for a meal with my fellow trainees as Heather had suggested the night before because I'd have done two days of intensive training on practically no sleep, but when the session ended I was actually the first to mention it. Heather drove us to a restaurant in Rickmansworth and I coped pretty well during the meal doing the process in my head. Afterwards I surprised myself by suggesting we went for a walk! We just walked round the block back to the car but it was the furthest I'd walked at a normal pace in 8 years and I only had one pain which I was able to quickly banish. Back at the farmhouse that night I was standing comfortably chatting to a group of people and my confidence was growing by the minute. Even though I still didn't sleep much and had to do the process a lot, by day three I was free from ME symptoms for the whole day. I was worried about the drive home as I usually had to lie down in the back seat of the car but I coped really well sitting in the front and only had to do the process once during the hour-long journey.
The day after I got home I got up early and did a 20 minute walk and continued to go out for walks and drives every day, visiting family and friends, shopping and actually enjoying doing exercise like step aerobics. After three weeks I had the confidence to drive 1.5 hours round the busy M25 to visit a friend and then took trains and tubes into London to see the Verve at O2 Arena. I was dancing all night and on the way home had no problem (apart from sore feet!) standing on the packed train for almost an hour. Over the Christmas period I got a nasty virus but recovered from it in about a week - the same time a healthy person would - and I still managed some Highland dancing on New Year's Eve! This week I went to my first Tai Chi and Qi Gong class, followed by a run; the next day I went up to London ice skating and shopping in the sales and yesterday I did a yoga class. I'm getting my fitness back and it is amazing how quickly my badly atrophied muscles are building up.
I am completely confident that my recovery will continue as it is totally in my power and if I ever do get any ME symptoms or tiredness I just use the process and like magic they're gone. In fact I am determined to achieve better health than I ever had. My only problem now is what to do with the rest of my life knowing that I can do anything!
UPDATE ON FIONA'S LIFEJuly 2008
It's now eight months since I did the Lightning Process training programme with Heather and I'd like to report that things are still going unbelievably well. I can do as much exercise as I like with no ME symptoms whatsoever and I have as much (if not more) energy than anyone I know. I'm still in the process of coming off my sleep medications and sometimes sleep doesn't come that easily, and I very occasionally have one of my old ME muscle-pains, but I know why and 99.99% of the time I am totally ME free.
The last few months I've been busy travelling - in March I went to Lewis, an island off the northwest coast of Scotland, for a cousin's housewarming party where I had the most amazing time. It was so fantastic going back to the place I'd spent a lot of my childhood for the first time in 10 years, seeing all my relatives and walking over a big hill to a beach I never thought I'd see again. In April I was off to America for three weeks, first to visit my sister in Chicago then to New York. In both cities I walked for miles every day, sightseeing and shopping, and went out every night. Last month I went to the Isle of Wight Festival where I out-walked my ex boyfriend (he kept having to go back to the tent early complaining of sore feet and aching legs but I could stay up dancing till the last band had come off stage!) and one day after getting back from there, having driven through the night from Southampton, I was off to Lewis again, this time for even more hill walking as my fitness (and the weather!) was improved.
I'm now concentrating my energies on what I'm going to do career-wise and am seriously considering becoming a Lightning Process practitioner. It is such an amazingly powerful tool I know I could help a lot of people recover their health as I have - and I can't think of anything more exciting and rewarding than that. Watch this space for the next instalement of life after ME…
Angela (name changed): One the best things I've done for my self!
I have been struggling with different kinds of anxiety since I was a child. The last few years I have also been physically ill quite a lot, and this made my anxiety even worse. I heard about Heathers seminar from two friends who mentioned that she and the Lightning Process could help me. At first I said no. I have been to at least 30 different therapists and was SOOO tired of getting advice, breathing techniques and herbs.. But then I checked her website and got curious. Maybe it was right for me anyway? After a phonecall with Heather Thomas I was convinced. She seemed smart and experienced, and I liked her immediately. She made it clear that I had to be ready and open minded, and that I had to try to put the scepticism away for a while.. And the seminar was better than I had dreamed of. The first day I was a bit sceptical (even if I tried not to be..), but after the third day I was 100% sure that this could change my life for the better. And it has! It is a TRAINING, not a treatment, which I like very much. Heather Thomas and the Lightning Process has made me believe that I am in the drivers seat when it comes to health. Both mentally and physically.
I really recommend Heather Thomas' seminars. She and The Lightning Process can change your life. I promise.
Story from Marianne who attended the first Oslo Lightning Process Seminar in December 2007
I had ME for ten years. I was bedridden 24-7 for six years. I did the LP-course December 2007. The first day i arrived with a wheel-chair and laid down on a sofa with my hot waterbottles and blankets all through the day. By the end of the first day, we got to do the Lightning Process for the first time. I didn't quite realize it at the time, but that's when it happened; I felt I was well! I went outdoor for a walk later that evening and had my first meal out of bed for 6 years. No symptoms returned!
The second day of the course I sat up in the sofa all day. No blanket, no hot waterbottles. No symptoms. After the third day I visited my best friend, enjoying bringing her and her whole family in awe. I really haven't had any physical ME-symptoms after the first evening of the LP-course. And believe me; there used to be plenty of them. After 6 years in bed, my body needs some time to adjust, to rebuild, to get it's flexibility and strength back, but the only "symptoms" I experience are mental or emotional ones. I keep doing the process on them every day, and trust that whenever the process feels a little difficult to do, when maybe I have to do it over and over again to get back to the life I love, that is when I really rebuild healthy pathways in my brain and nerve system. That's all the motivation I need. I have too much to lose.
I loved doing the LP-course with Heather. She has such a good heart and at the same time she is able to push a little when needed. After years of heavy "ME-torture" it's hard to trust or even recognize that it's really over, and I needed to be challenged a little to get out of the habitual and destructive defence patterns I built up to protect myself. Heather is able to do that in an intelligent and loving way. She is a generous person and genuinely caring for everybody's success.
Thank you Heather, for showing me how to get my life back.
Marianne
Aina Grunnsund from Brevik, Norway MARCH 2008 (See TV interview July 2009)
Photo: Aina before the Lightning Process Training. See photo further down page of her after the training, and see the TV interview.
I was diagnozed with ME in 2001. The first months I was bed-bound, and housebound for the first year. Slowly I got better, but not so well that I could work. In 2003 I gave birth to my second son Albert, I got worse, but slowly recovered a bit.
For some years I could participate i the family life, in 2007 i started on migraine medication, and after 6 months I collapsed - totally bedbound.
From may to february I hardly wasn't outside my house. In february I got real sick and had to remove a gall stone and had pancreatitus. I was in very much pain, and when I got home from the hospital after one week, my ME was even worse.
I read about The Lightning Process on internet that summer.....but was too sick to go to England for the training.But I got a feeling that this was something that I would benefit from.
Just before Xmas I heard that it was possible to have the training in Norway.
In february I went to Oslo for the LP training. It is a 3 hours drive from here so I was pretty exhausted when arriving, but somehow I was able to follow the seminar. I did tired after the first day, but when I got back to the hotel I went for a walk in the lobby with my oldest son Bendik. So strange to be around so many people!!! But it went great!! We decided to look around the hotel,and ended up at the gym!! I started doing the process right after coming to the hotel, and I even had to get up that night to work on it.
The next morning we were going to have breakfast in the restaurant. When arriving there I started having symptoms and panicking. I went to the bathroom and worked on the process, and was actually gone for 20 minutes! When I got back my husband and my kids were running around looking for me- they thought that I had collapsed. .But I was doing great, and we enjoyed a 30 minutes breakfast in the restaurant!!! This was fantastic!!!I had stayed in bed and on the sofa for almost a year!!!! I even went to a grocerie store before going to the seminar on the second day.
This evening we went for 1hour walk!!! Stopped at a shopping center and back to the hotel again!!! The third day I felt great!! Rushed to a grocery store before going to the seminar.
After the seminar we started our 3 hour drive back, doing great!!
When we got home I cooked a meal and put my kids to bed. It has now been 3 weeks since I finished the seminar.
I have been working very hard with the process and I am making great progress. I haven`t laid down for a rest in these 3 weeks, and do not sleep during the day.
I go for walks, go shopping, doing housework, reading and helping my kids with homework, I can do anything!! Yesterday I drove my car again on the highway, and that feels great!!
This easter I was able to go to the ski center with my family. My sons went on snowboard, I was playing with them and preparing the meal (grilling). When we came home after 6 hours I was tired of course, but that was from the sun and fresh air - my husband was even more tired than me and went to bed at 9......I stayed up until 11!!!!
I got something in the mail a couple of days ago, it was about ME and a new plan from the government. There was an interview with a woman suffering from ME....I read it and felt very sorry for her. But I noticed that I didn`t identify myself with her, and that was something new to me. I felt that ME was something of my past.....and it really is.
I`m working on the process every day, and I can do a lot more now than I was able to a cople of weeks ago.
I`m moving very fast forward......Some days I struggle, but I trust in the process and the next day is always a better one......
I am so grateful for learning the lightning process, I have turned my life around doing the process. I know I will make great progress in the future and I have a life I love!
Many thanks to Heather for being such a great trainer!!!! A fantastic trainer actually....
Thank you, thank you, thank you...:-)
ARTICLE FROM AINA'S LOCAL PAPER; www.pd.no
Aina Grunnsund har fått livet tilbake. Det innebærer blant annet å gå tur, ta en tur på butikken eller på kjøpesenteret. Ting som var utenkelig da hun var inne i sin verste periode i fjor sommer.
Aina har fått livet tilbake. Et kurs på tre dager og hard jobbing i etterkant har gjort underverker for ME-pasient Aina Grunnsund. Hun har aldri følt seg bedre og friskere i løpet av de syv siste årene. Av Edle Eidbo-Hansen Publisert 15.05.2008 - 08:30 Tips en venn om denne saken Skriv ut denne siden - Utmattelsen har sluppet taket, og jeg har rett og slett kommet meg på beina igjen. I går var hele familien på kjøpesenteret på Herkules. Mens de andre spiste, gikk jeg alene rundt og prøvde litt klær og handlet. Det er ting som var helt utenkelig for meg i den forferdelig perioden jeg var inne i frem til jeg kom på kurset, forteller Grunnsund. Fra mai 2007 til månedsskiftet februar-mars i år lå hun for det aller meste i et mørkt rom og hadde bare noen få turer ut innimellom.- Det var til tider nok bare å konsentrere seg om å eksistere, sier tobarnsmoren.
Lightning process: Liggende under et teppe i bilen kom hun seg på kurs i Oslo i såkalt lightning process i mars. En behandling som behandler ME som en fysisk sykdom, og hvor man baserer seg på hjernens evne til å påvirke kroppen. Informasjonen om dette fant hun på internett, og hun betalte ca. 12 000 kroner.
- Det er vanskelig å forklare, men jeg synes det er viktig å understreke at det ikke er noe hokus pokus eller mirakelkur. Det er konkrete fysiske øvelser man lærer og går igjennom, og hovedgreia er å klare å stoppe den adrenalinloopen som gjør at en tappes fullstendig for energi, forklarer Grunnsund, som også måtte gjennom et grundig intervju for å se om hun var klar for kurset.
Med hard jobbing og repetisjoner på øvelsene i etterkant, har hun også klart det. Nå gjør hun øvelsene svært sjelden, og hun har for alvor begynt å bli trygg på at hun ikke skal få noe tilbakefall.- Jeg var selvfølgelig veldig redd for det i begynnelsen. Når man har 7 års erfaring med sykdommen, er det ikke bare lett å stole på at det skal gå bra, erkjenner Grunnsund.
Rough Translation of the Newspaper Article into English
A three day course and hard work afterwards has done an incredible job for ME-patient Aina. She has never felt better and healthier in the last seven years. "I have transformed. Yesterday the whole family went shopping. While the others ate, I walked around alone and tried on some clothes. These things would be absolutely inconceivable for me in the terrible period before I joined the course", says Aina. "From May 2007 to the end of February to March this year she was for the most of the time in a dark room and had only a few trips out occasionally. It was sometimes enough just to concentrate on existing, "said Aina's mother.
Lightning process
Lying under a blanket in the car she came classes in Oslo in the so-called lightning process in March. A treatment that treats ME as a physical illness, and where it is based on brain's ability to affect the body. The information about this she found on the Internet, and she paid approx. 12 000 kroner. It is difficult to explain, but I think it is important to stress that there is no hocus pocus or miracles. There are specific physical exercises Monday and the teacher goes through, and the main thing is to be able to stop the adrenalin loop that allows a completely drained of energy, explains Aina, who also had to have a thorough interview to see if she was ready for the course.
With hard work and repetitions of exercises after, she has done it. Now she uses the exercises very rarely, and she has seriously begun to be assured that she will not get any relapse. I was, of course, very afraid of it in the beginning. When you have 7 years of experience with the disease, it is not easy to trust that it will go well, recognizes Aina.
From the mother of Maria, 15 years old, one week after the seminar in April 08:
Hi Heather,
Thank you very much for a fantastic Lightning Process Seminar! It is not possible to express our gratefulness in just a few words. Marias father has been away for three weeks, and he arrived Oslo yesterday. When he met Maria this morning he had tears in his eyes. He saw that something fantastic had happened to her! She was full of energy! Her way of walking was different and her eyes were sparkling! And she had so many plans for the weekend! " Did you meet Jesus?," he asked with a laugh. " No, but we met Heather and she gave me the right tools to recover." Maria said.
Warm big hug! Tanja
An email from Runi in February 2008 who took the training in Oslo December 2007:
Dear Heather,
I've strength and energy, catching up on a number of things, but balancing so that it's fun to do it and not just because I feel I should. I got my slalom-stuff and went skiing with my five-year-old, that was great fun. But now it's only raining, so we are waiting for new snow. We've been skating and swimming, going to birthday parties and dinner parties, I've energy at work AND when I get back home AND in the weekends - and that's a huge change. I've already started on the big "fixing-everything-i-couldn't-do-in-the-house-the-last-four-years"-project, and since it seems to be inspiring my husband as well the progress is really good.
People I meet are telling me I look different, better, well. And I've much more mental strength, more like before ME: Seeing solutions and possibilities instead of problems, calmness and constructive thinking - like I used to - , no stress over other peoples issues and problems, I can now separate them from me - it feels SO GOOD. We're going on a weekend trip to Rome in march, just for pleasure, and I'm looking REALLY forward to that! AND I'm going away on a seminar (job) for a couple of days in February, so this is also great. Two trips in one month and no worries - FANTASTIC!
I still have fever, though, but it doesn't slow me down as much as it used to.
Just had to let you know that the last symptom has left my body; the fever. It took almost two months, but now I've had normal body temperature for two weeks - for the first time in 4 years.
I was finally diagnosed with Postal Viral Fatigue Syndrome - ME in 1988. I tried to struggle on with my job in teaching but after repeated and lengthening spells off sick I took early retirement in 1992.
Over the years I tried ( and spent much money on) most of the alternative therapies and diets, Yoga etc and had counselling. I live alone and eventually learned to accept my limitations and try to work my life around them and thus developed a certain quality of life albeit carefully managed to prepare for and crash out after some activities which other people take for granted.
A friend whose stepdaughter had suffered ME for many years described how she had recovered after doing the the LIGHTNING PROCESS. I then read about it in the press and the Action for ME quarterly journal 'Interaction' and then heard the Radio 4 programme about it.
However I was still very sceptical about it and worried about the expense, having tried so many therapies in the past. I then heard of a couple more success stories and one day my granddaughter was visiting and mentioned that her 13 year old school friend had recovered from ME and wasn't that what I had.
This prompted me to find out more about it and even though I had to struggle to overcome my scepticism,I decided to 'give it a go'. I contacted my friend whose daughter had done it to find out who had trained her and then got in touch with Heather and six months on I am still leading a 'normal' life
It was remarkable. I had three consecutive daily sessions. At the end of the first I felt good and went for a long walk in the woods, and made good progress each day. No longer do I have to be tentative about social engagements. I wake in the morning with the desire to get up and get on with my day. I had a wonderful Christmas with both of my families all together (10 of us) for 5 days. I see more of my family and enjoy more physical activities with my grandchildren. I get a train up to the West End of London for shopping or theatre and even had a really special night out cheering on my favourite premiership football team in the Champions League climbing all the steps to row 18 in the upper tier. I enjoy walking again and look forward to our family holiday in Cornwall and taking part in all the activities without sitting out on the sidelines. And on and on and on.
I owe so much to Heather who showed a genuine interest in me and was inspired by her enthusiasm, buoyant, caring and friendly personality and who GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK.
Kristin from Norway who was in Heather's seminar in Feb 2008 in the U.K. with her friend Bjorg. They both were very limited in how far they could walk and both had to use wheelchairs at the airport on the way over. But not on the way home... They have since been doing A LOT of walking... Bjorg is now training to be a practitioner and Kristin lives a very busy life and has inspired many others to take the training. Kristin said in her email:
"Bjørg and I arrived back from Sorrento, Italy today.We have been for a "kick off", for a week.
We have walked so much, I did not think it was possible. We have seen Naples, Rome, Amalfi.
My living-boy friend talked to Gunvor Hals in November 2007 and she told him that Heather would held seminars in Lightning Process in Oslo. I was crying when I heard this, because I thought I was too ill to participate . I was severely affected with ME and bed-bound 24 hours a day. 21 hours each day I was laying in a dark room with no sound and light at all. I was able to lay in the living room 1 hour 3 times a day, but I was only talking a little with my four year old son and my live-in-boy friend. I could only walk to the toilet. I was able to sit 15 minutes total for the whole day.
Then a friend of mine who was going to a seminar with Heather phoned my living-boy friend and said "I have talked to Heather and she says that Anne is well enough to participate". I could not belive that. But I belived very strongly that LP could help me and the other option was not very encouraging; continue to lay down in the dark room; I decided to sign up for a seminar.
The result after the seminar is AMAZING!!!!! The first day at the seminar I was laying down the whole day. But when I got home I put my son to bed for the first time in 18 months; I was not tired after 6 hours with english that I had not been practising for a long time! The next day I sat the whole day, enjoing talking to Heather and the other participants in the breaks My sensitivity to sound and light had totally disappeard In the evening after the seminar on day 2, after I had put ny son to bed again - of course, I drove alone to my brother ( 20 minutes each way) and visited him and his family. The symptoms were gone !!
My focus after the seminar is to gradually become physically stronger. So every day since the seminar I have been walking in the forrest. I went cross country skiing 12 km in March and I`m really looking forward to next winter to go A LOT! :-)
Now - five months after the seminar- I live a completly normal life with my family and friends. I am walking 8 - 12 km fast in the forrest each day, doing things with my son, family and friends. I can do whatever I want of socially activities; parties, cinema,shopping etc etc. It feels like a MIRACLE !! And I know that I would get even better as long as I do the process when ever I need to! :-)
It is hard to express how grateful we are that Heather came to Norway and that she gave my little son his mum back and that we now know that ME is history and we would only looking forward; living a great life that we love.
I was in Oslo in May -08 at The Lightning Process with you.
I am so happy to tell you that I now am living the life that I love!:-)
In the beginning I was having some difficulties with the Process, but now it is easy.
I am now able to take good care of my husband and our three children, and as you can imagine, that feels REALLY GOOD.
In June we were one week on holliday to the Netherlands, and I was walking for a whole day in Amsterdam!
Earlier I was really afraid to fly, but now I am completely relaxed.
We have also been 10 days in our cabin. There we were walking a lot in the mountains.
Every day I am walking and training with my dog, and tomorrow we are going to compete in obedience!:-)
I have also been able to read a lot of books.
So, you see - I can do everything that I want!!
Heather, I am SO GRATEFUL for what you and the Lightning Process gave to me and my family!!
With love from Marianne and Jan
Marianne now has a website where you can read further details about her recovery and story. http://www.kreaktivhund.com The website is written in Norwegian. Marianne is enjoying life with her family and dogs and taking further education.
Hi Heather!
There`s been a lot of positive changes since I spoke with you. I still have a lot of energy every day - and I do a lot of things everyday! I still get up at about 0830 every morning - feeling good and ready for a new day :-) And I don`t have to lay down and rest during the day. I sleep well and I don`t use any painkillers for my back and muscles. I tolerate sounds (like in cafès) and I can stay many hours in town shopping and talking to friends at c afès. Me and Kent go for long walkes and that is very nice. I get stronger in my legs and in my body. We`ve been on several trips this summer - being much more active then we`ve been in years :-)
I`m much more positive and calmer now than before the seminar. It`s been s o nice to be able to spend more time at my parents house - helping my mother cleaning the house - and they are really happy to see the changes that`ve happened. As all my friends are too!
I am so grateful that you taught me the LP the way you did. You are so positive and energetic - you show me that it`s possible to recover from ME and live a life you love - and that makes me believe that it`s possible for me too! Thank you for giving me the tools to bring back my life that I love :-)
I am so pleased to tell you that my life has become SO GOOD after the Lp seminar.Most of my physical ME symptoms were gone during that week end and I am now doing great prosperity. I am busy gardening , going for long walks and going by bice in to town shopping. I keep my house in order, what I used a week doing , I now do in between, so I am living a normal life again. I have made two travelles, organised by myself and have had summer guests for 3 weeks, and I am still feeling well. It is amazing and FANTASTIC. Today I have gone the second part of the Pilgrims Track, enjoing nature and being so proud of myself.
I am so grateful to you and your guiding in the Lp prosess, and for the first time in my life ( 59 years old) I am able to stand up for myself, designing the life I love to live.
My friends and family are making comments about my progress and my husband is also very happy about it now.
How are you? I'm doing absolutely great!
It's been about a month since I went to the LP seminar and my life has completely changed. It's actually a bit difficult to remember all the changes I've made because it feels so natural to be well now.
The first days after the seminar I was improving a lot on my sleep pattern. That is, I started sleeping around 7-8 hours a night and not at all during the day. This was a really big improvement for me being used to sleep about 11 hours per day/night and being tired the rest of the time
I also felt less tired during the day, and whenever I started to feel tired I was able to stop it by using the process. I was also using the process a lot when I was feeling stressed. I used to get really stressed up about almost everything. Every little thing that happened and every little thought led me into a pattern of stress, and it felt as though I couldn't control it. This happened a lot in the beginning, but now it's almost completely gone!
The days after the seminar I started going for little walks, listened to music and spent some time with a good friend who earlier attended the LP seminar with her sister. It was very nice to spend the next days with someone who understood what LP is all about and understood that I needed to do the process every now and then. I noticed that when I used the process very consistently in the beginning, it soon became more automated and I didn't have to do it so often anymore. I was soon able to go shopping for clothes in a shopping centre - something that would have made me collapse earlier! I did this several times and every time I would last longer without getting tired.
The first days after the seminar I would wake up feeling terribly tired, my usual ME condition, but I managed to get out of bed and do the process and I soon felt much better. This condition improved a lot in a week or so until the ME morning tiredness was completely gone.
About a week after the seminar I felt like I was ready to leave my mom's house and go back to Trondheim where I live with my boyfriend. He was really amazed by my improvement. Still he wasn't being as excited about my improvements as I was, since he wanted to 'see if it lasts'. Sometimes it felt as I had to 'prove' that I was well. Except from a few episodes of tiredness I was already doing great. I made sure to use the process whenever there was a problem and now he has finally stopped checking for symptoms. During week 2 after the seminar we saw some friends and played strategy board games (I could already feel that my concentration had improved and I could think more clearly). We also went rollerblading, shopping downtown and swimming in the sea.
It felt so great to all those things that I hadn't done in such a long time! I should probably add that my muscles have been really sore during the last weeks since I'm not used to moving at all (just lying on the couch). I see this as a very good thing though. It gives me a good feeling to know that I'm building muscles even when I'm just taking a walk or going shopping.
Week 3 after the seminar my boyfriend and I went to a cottage with some friends. It was a really steep 1 hour walk to the cottage and we were carrying backpacks, but the trip went great! Of course I got tired walking up since I?m really out of shape, but that was a good type of tired, not ME-tired. Later we went for a walk in the forest that lasted for many hours in steep terrain, picking blueberries and cloudberries. Simple things like that means so much to me now!
I've also started to drink a little alcohol and I handle it very well. It used to be like poison to me. I went to a wedding where I drank 2 glasses of wine and a cognac, danced a little and stayed up till 2 a.m. and I felt fine!
The last days I've played badminton, gone rollerblading, fixed my bike (from now on I take the bike downtown instead of the bus), spent more time with friends and made some more plans for what I want to do.
People tell me that I look better and I feel great. Everybody is positive to the changes I've made and they are happy for me. Even if I did get some negative feedback I know I could handle that too and not let it bother me. I feel a lot more confident than before and happy about myself.
Since the seminar I've spent all my time doing whatever I want, without thinking about work or studies. I really feel like I need a long holiday to do whatever I want to do, all those things I've missed out on, so I've decided to let studies wait until I'm ready to start again. Until then I'm just going to give myself the long holiday I deserve. It's a get well gift to myself. I've booked a travel to Amsterdam next month with my friend. I'm really looking forwards to it!
Thank you Heather for helping me back to life!
Ingrid
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An email from 14 year old Sigrid who took the seminar in April 2008
Dear Heather!
Here comes a greeting from a lucky, healthy and active girl.
I'm fantastic, and I live the life I love!
I join the classes a 100%, I play football and meet friends,
This summer I joined a lot of camps and I live a social life!
A Thursday in the summer holiday, I was on a trip on the bike, with my dad,
We was biking 80km!
Two days later, I was rafting on the Otta River.
That was very cool!
And the day after the rafting, I was on a trip on a glacier called the fairy-tale ice.
That is something you should do next time you are in Norway!
Thank you so much for teaching me Lightning process!
Love from Sigrid!
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Stephanie's Story
Hello Heather,
How are you anyway? Still extremely busy? I am great!
I suffered from M.E. from ages 11-20, I had all the blood tests going and saw specialists who diagnosed me with it. I missed 4 years of school, could only work part time from the age of 17 and was almost hospiltalised with it. I tried many alternative therapies, none of which worked, so when I was told about LP I was very skeptical. However at the beginning of the year I became very ill again and basically bedbound (5 months off from my 4hr-a-day job) and I thought enough was enough.
I did LP and was taught the mistakes that I was making and I havent looked back since. I'm not saying it has been easy as it has been one of the hardest things I have ever done (mostly the first 3 days!) and some days I still have to work very hard at it but I now see the patterns and know the signs.
Since the LP 8 months ago, I now have my life back! I went travelling for 2 months in Australia, New zealand and Fiji where the days were very long and I had to do a lot of walking and physical work- it was great! I did lots of amazing things including swimming with dolphins, snorkelling, flying in a helecopter and climbing a glacier! On my return trip I was travelling for more than 40 hours, airport to airport!
I now work longer hours and instead of having a 3 hour sleep when I get home from work I go to the gym for 1 hour, come home and walk the dogs and then cook dinner! It is fantastic to have energy when I need it. M.E. was a living hell, but I'm past that now and I'm proud!
I hope you are well and send my thanks again,
Stephanie
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Photo: summer 2008. Both children had ME and were unable to go to school or play or exercise at all. They both did the Lightning Process in April 2008. On the second day they were running around like normal, healthy children and within a week were starting back in school.
Here is a update from Norway after the Lightning Process in London=)
As you said, the time has gone very fast after we came home! I had lot of energy, but as you said I have also been relaxed. Shouldn't use energy all the time!;)
I'm very happy with the results. It has really been a change in my life!
We, Kjell Ivar and I, also use the LP in our relationship. We are now very good at pointing at, and focus at the positive things during the day. And that is a big change=)
When we came home my family, my grand parents and Kjell Ivars parents was standing in the livingroom, waiting for us. That was a very emotional moment for all of us=) There was hugs and kisses. When my mum came and gave me a big hug, I said to her that its gonna be ok, I'm well now, she cried on my sholders, because she was so happy. She has got her daughter back!
Had to use the process there!;)
Its getting easier to get to the state I want, now. When I look at my notes, I realise that this is a training, just like anything else. At the beginning I was happy if I could have energy just for 10 minutes or so. Now I have energy for many hours, even for a whole day if I need to! The body is getting stronger every day, and that is an amazing feeling!!!
Attached there are some photos that show the change=)
We decided to celebrate the new year's eve on the mountain. So we did! And I carried my own backsack!! That was one of my goals.
We slept in a tent, made tea over the fire and just had a very good time up there, with my dog=) The view over the town was amazing...
Im going to the doctor today, to tell him that I need to build up my body a bit more before I get back to work. And I'm looking forward to see him!=)
What a change... IT'-S FANTASTIC!!!
Thank you for your course.
It has been the biggest change in my life!
Hope you're good=)
Hugs and love from
Liv Guri Ness Trondheim
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Richard's Story
After suffering from ME for 17 years, I finally found something that worked! While better, it had been wheelchair, chair lift, almost entire social isolation, no TV, radio, little reading, total exhaustion. In other words, like a lot of others with ME. Worst was maybe the feeling I was draining my family and friends instead of enjoying and supporting them as I wanted to.
I first read about the Lightning Process in an article sent out to ME patients from the local ME association which was not particularly encouraging. A short time later, my son-in-law told me he had a young male patient who was considerably improved after attending an LP course. I was doubtful, but started finding what material I could on the subject, mainly using internet. Finally I contacted Heather and was accepted on the July, 2008 course.
After a short time on the first day, I realized that I could not try to make sense of the process, but just be open minded, positive and try it out. At the end of the first day, I felt that I no longer had ME. Not only that, I felt that I would never have it again! No relapses for me. I was going to use this thing to keep well and I have done so. I have also used LP in my other aspects of my life and it has worked. While it mostly happens automatically now, I actively use the process nearly every day.
Today, in addition to my normal life, I'm an active grandfather, choir member, and guardian for 2 boys from Afghanistan who have applied for political asylum and enjoy an active social live. My hour's daily walk with my dog is a source of joy, not exhaustion.
Thank you Heather for being a great course manager and teacher. You've got a big heart, but combine that with a toughness which got us through the course and on towards our wonderful lives.
The bottom line is that I used to have chronic fatigue syndrome, and now I don't!
I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in April 2007 by a consultant endocrinologist after initially presenting with food intolerances. Although this was the time of an official diagnosis, the consultant was strongly of the opinion that I had in fact had CFS since January 2000 when I had been ill previously. This made sense of many things which, until meeting the consultant, hadn't made a great deal of sense. After the initial severe period of illness in 2000, I did recover pretty well and fortunately was relatively well. However, there were certain things which I knew just weren't right, but nothing you could really put your finger on. After my diagnosis in April 2007, I managed to work part time for a short while until I caught a cold and things significantly deteriorated. I became housebound, and was bed bound for a month during the summer. I was looked after by carers each day, and my parents made the 3 hour trip from their home frequently to look after me. I did have some cranial osteopathy which helped a little, and was able to go out in my wheelchair for short periods in the immediate local area, and engage in some activities (eg watching tv, colouring) before going to bed at 6 pm each night.
I had heard about the Lightning Process before I became very unwell, as a girl I knew from church had completed the course after having M.E. for many years. I had only caught the tail end of her conversation, but it was enough for me to check out the Lightning Process (LP) website. At the time, I didn't have a diagnosis, and so wasn't sure if LP would apply to me. Later, after my diagnosis, I dismissed LP for the time being as I thought I would exhaust other possibilities before spending a large amount of money on treatment. While I was bedbound/housebound however, I remembered the LP, and several friends and neighbours also contacted me to tell me about it. I was absolutely sure that I would do it as soon as I was well enough to attend the course. When I was eventually well enough in January 2008 to use my computer for short periods of time, I looked again at the LP website and read some of the testimonies. I was amazed to read that people in a far worse state than me were actually making their way to, and sitting through the course, and it appeared that I didn't need to be any better than I was in order to do the course. I contacted my local practitioner and discussed how I would be able to get through the course, despite the fact that I was unable to sit for more than a short period of time, required large amounts of rest during the day, and went to bed at 6pm, when the course wasn't due to finish until about 7 pm. She told me that I could take whatever necessary to be comfortable on the first day, (wheelchair, sunlounger, blankets etc etc etc!), but that I really wouldn't need any of it on the second day. She was utterly confident of this, and so I drew on this confidence. I applied for a place on the course, and spent the next 6 weeks preparing, reading the introduction to the Lightning Process book a couple of times. Just reading the book increased my confidence, and by the time the day of the course arrived, aside from a few niggles, I was really determined that I was going to make the same sort of recovery that I had read about on the website.
And so, I arrived at the venue for the course on day 1 (24 March 2009) in my wheelchair, and looking as if I were going to be staying for at least a fortnight! I lay on my sunlounger as I listened to the theory behind the cause and maintenance of my illness. Then came the part of the course that I had really been waiting for- the actual process that would bring about my recovery. After an initial walk through of the process, we took a break. I decided to use the process there and then, and walked to the toilet without the aid of my crutches. The real breakthrough for me however came after being coached through the process again. I didn't feel like lying down afterwards, so went to sit on one of the chairs. After sitting for a few minutes, I realised just how much in control I was of my own energy, and that CFS was now behind me. Just a short while after that, I pushed my own wheelchair out to the car, went to Tesco's to buy some of the foods I had previously been unable to eat, (bacon sandwich was the choice!) and dropped in on a friend to surprise her and so she could see the already amazing difference! Wow!
There's been no looking back since that day. In the space of just over a week I have made so many achievements- I've driven my car, been shopping to Sainsbury's, cooked my own dinners (and begun to discover a bit of a masterchef!), eaten whatever I've liked, had showers, been out to my bible study group, used the washing machine, dishwasher and hoover (previously unimaginable due to the noise!), been thinking so clearly, listened to music again (such a joy!), watched telly with the colour on and the volume up, been out for walks in the park and to the village, had a long chat with a friend, and countless other things! On the one hand, it feels so natural to do all these things, and at the same time, so very new and wonderful!
I'm having a great deal of fun learning to live the life that I have so often dreamt of, but not known how to acquire. Now I know that it is no longer a dream and I can make that life happen, and am making it happen, using the Lightning Process. I'm regaining my fitness, confidence, independence, and exuberance and enthusiasm for life and am enormously looking forward to the future.
As for Phil Parker and his Lightning Process - I just want to say a HUGE thank you to you Phil for your commitment in designing the process so that I can make this enormous change. THANK YOU! Great thanks also to my trainer, Heather for her wonderful coaching and support. THANK YOU!
And now... I'm going to go and get on with the rest of my life!
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My Success: Rebecca
I was diagnosed with CFS in April 2006 following a year long string of viruses, chest infections, aching limbs, exhaustion, flu like symptoms, inability to sleep and very low mood. These symptoms started just a month after my son was born in March 2005. I tried many alternative therapies during that first year but nothing worked for me, so I started researching for myself and discovered pacing and that is how I have lived for the past 3 years, by pacing every activity in my life. This has not only limited my life enormously but also that of my husband and two children.
All that changed following my Mum's friends daughter, who had been suffering with chronic ME for many years attending the Lightning Process with Heather and getting incredible results. I had to try, I contacted Heather and had to wait 6 weeks for my course to begin. I read 'The Introduction to the Lightning Process and felt ready to take on the training.
I was so pleased when the 24th March 2009 finally came around. After the end of the first day, I was not exhausted and that was so encouraging for me, I felt that I had my energy back under my control. By the end of day 3, I had a spring back in my step and felt that my symptoms were all under my own control. The feeling of power that I had was immense, I know that everything I had learnt has given me the tools to put CFS behind me and enjoy the rest of my life. I left the course feeling elated and ready to start my new life for me and my family.
That was 3 weeks ago, since which time I have had fun filled days with my children, I have stayed up late, taken the children to the supermarket, been out for dinner with friends, managed to have restful sleep and taken on the Easter Holiday break with the children, with a smile on my face and full of energy. The process has not become automatic for me yet, so I am still having to work hard to keep myself on track but the results I have already achieved and the ultimate goal of achieving the life I love is so worth the hard work.
I have just emailed Heather one year on from going on the Lightning Process seminar with her to report on and rejoice in my progress, and she has suggested I might like to do an article for the website. One year on it is hard to believe how restricted life was - it is like a bad dream. Occasionally I stop and remind myself of what life was like then and it makes me so grateful for what I can do now. I had CFS for about 10 years, was unable to work but knew loads about having to rest and pace myself etc.with the little capacity I had.
One year on from the Lightning Process seminar, where I got my energy and life back, I am leading a 'normal' life. I am now working part-time and attending college to refresh and upgrade my skills for the future. I have been able to return to the things that I enjoy - playing badminton, driving good distances, walking miles in the countryside, having a social life. My husband and I felt we were embarking on a new marriage and now enjoy doing things together, which he had to do on his own when I was ill, in a more full way than ever before.
Ruth
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Maria's Story
Maria who is Spanish, suffered from constant pain and flew from Spain to take the Lightning Process seminar in November 2008.
They say you never remember what pain was like once it is completely over. I can assure this is completely true in my case.
I used to wake up in pain every day and dreaded the hours ahead. The pain would sometimes be so acute I would feel nausea and instability. Dealing with the day-to-day issues used to become a real burden and yet, I simply had to move on. It looked as if life was always going to be like that, anyway, so I might just as well be resilient, cope as best I could. 'Coping' was a term that had been gradually incorporated into my language as well as my friends', who would always ask how I was coping... I was determined to lead a 'normal' life but deep down I was full of resentment. This was aggravated by the fact that a lot of people around me would question how I could possibly look well and lead such an active life despite my being in pain. It was as if a thick piece of glass was separating me from the rest of the world: I could see through it and be seen by the others but no communication could be established. I felt very lonely indeed and even looked forward to a short life.
I have lived in different countries and for years I tried new doctors and therapies from conventional to alternative medecine wherever I happened to be. That is how I underwent psychotherapy, psychiatric treatments, psychoanalysis and even surgery, but never experienced the slightest improvement. I was given so much medication, I became immune to painkillers. Depression would come over me more and more frequently and I started to be treated with strong antidepressants. Pain and depression had become part of myself and I just did not know how to get out of this vicious circle. I was then diagnosed as having fibromyalgia, which I knew nothing about at the time. As stupid as it may sound, being given a name for my condition made me feel quite hopeful. I was not going to be labelled as a depressive character anymore. People would understand depression was part of fibromialgya and thus, become more sympathetic.
But nothing changed and having a label was no consolation in the long run, so I then became totally skeptical about any new treatment anyone might suggest I should try. The simple thought of starting something new would immediately put me off, which meant I did not try anything out anymore for a long time.
It has been after more than 50 years that I have learnt life can be enhancing and worth living. Looking after someone with ME who is very dear to me and seeing her come through thanks to the Lightning Process made me feel hopeful again. I suddenly overcame my skepticism and decided I just had to try the process. Something deep down was telling me that this would be a completely different experience, the one I had been waiting for almost a lifetime. Nearly a year has gone by since I finished the LP training. These months have been not only the best months of my life from the physical point of view but also the most enjoyable ones as my whole approach to every day issues has completely changed, too. I have learnt what causes pain and how to stop my body from getting it when the first signs come up. This is a major achievement in itself. But my greatest achievement has been to be free from pain for months, something I had never experienced before and worse still, I never thought I would experience. I look different because I feel different myself. I am not coping anymore, I am just enjoying life.
Becoming free from pain has also allowed me to overcome resentment, which is a most destructive feeling. I now know how to be in charge, make the most of everything. This is all thanks to the LP and, particularly, to my having decided to give it a try which makes me feel really proud. My life would still be a nightmare otherwise.
I hope you are well and everything is going great!!
I am not sure if you remember me, my name is Georgia Schneiderman, I turned 18 three weeks ago, I completed the Lightning Process on 7th August 2008 (I have the certificate hung in my window!!!) and I am thankfully still living the life I absolutely adore!!
I don't really know where to start - thank you is not enough to express my feelings!!! I will admit I did 'do' some 'ups and downs' during the year - the 'ups' make me so happy but defeating the 'downs' just make me love the Lightning Process even more!!!!
Since I completed the Lightning Process I have been able to go back to school and I gained 3 A's in my AS Levels, I volunteer at different places, in the summer I volunteered at a camp for disabled children, I am able to socialise, have days out, and much much more!!! I am SO much more appreciative of life now, every day is a true gift and I am still so thankful for what I am able to do - lead a 'normal' life!! - a few weeks after I completed the Lightning Process I actually heard the saying 'yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift' - this I think really sums up what happened in the last few years of my life!!!
I also have recommended the Lightning Process to many people - I am so passionate about it!! I was at school a few weeks ago and we had to practice speaking about something we were passionate about for 2 minutes - I thought of the Lightning Process but decided to give it a miss as I would need at least 2 hours to speak about it!!!! I am a completely different person - last week I saw someone for the first time in a year - they moved to a different country and hadn't properly seen me since the Lightning Process - after spending a few hours with them, they really could not believe how different I was!!! It is mainly down to you and I can't thank you enough!!!
I could write for hours and hours thanking you and telling you how much my life has changed because of you and the Lightning Process but I don't want to bore you too much!!!
Many Thanks from me and my mum (who sat in with me) and from everyone else who are continuously telling me how happy they are to have the 'real' Georgia back!!!
Well, it's 6 months since I did the Lightning Process training, and so much has changed in my life during this time. Actually, the difference between now and even just 3 months ago is HUGE! Things just keep on getting better!
I've returned to work 2 days a week, which I am thoroughly enjoying, and am taking steps to build up to doing a third day in the not too distant future. I've started going back to fitness classes (and finding I'm fortunately not quite as unfit as I thought I may have been!), and have joined the choir at church. I go out with friends a couple of times a week at weekends and midweek (What? On a school night?!) Recently I took part in a sponsored challenge on a canal boat to raise money for the charity I work for, and also recently got up and sang with the band at my brother's 40th birthday party!
Well, those are the specific things which have changed since doing the Lightning Process, but there are broader reasons too as to why life is so much better.
I have found that I am much calmer and more positive. I'm more patient, and, instead of constantly looking forward to the end result of a plan, and something better, am enjoying the processes involved, and enjoying the present moment. I'm also no longer held back by a whole load of unhelpful beliefs.
I love waking up in the morning, full of energy. I wake up with a smile on my face, knowing that I can do whatever I want. Every day feels like Christmas day, whether I've got a day out with friends planned, a day at work, or just a trip to the supermarket.
I love being able to make plans, knowing that I will be able to carry them through.
I love having ideas, and just putting them into action. I've found it doesn't matter if the outcome is not successful (that's a bonus!).
I love being able to be busy, and keep going all day, EVERY day.
I love being able to be involved.
I love the positive feedback I'm getting at work that I'm doing a good job.
And I love surprising people by how amazingly well I'm doing!
I know that I don't always get it right, but I love using the Lightning Process as I know what a difference it makes in such a short space of time. I'm still using the Lightning Process to meet new challenges (and believe me, even after 6 months, there are still plenty of those!)
Overall, my life has become full of the happiness and contentment that most people spend a lifetime searching for. Life is sweet!
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Ness' I year update: Reflection on her recovery
Walking on the moon
Back in September 2009, there were many programmes shown on television to mark the 40th anniversary of the first landing on the moon. In one of them, the presenter interviewed a few of the only 12 men who had walked on the moon. One of them has spent his life since then painting pictures of the moon landings, trying to make sense of what he had done, settle back into normal life, and convey to others, who had no concept of walking on the moon, what he had seen and done.
I remember thinking that life following the Lightning Process training and recovery from M.E. has, in some ways, been similar. I know that there are rather more people who have completed the Lightning Process training than just the handful of men who walked on the moon, but, generally speaking, instantly jumping out of your wheelchair and walking after months of being immobile, and years with a severely debilitating illness, is as alien a concept to most people as walking on the moon.
I have spent the past few months reclaiming my life and regaining some sort of normality. Normality has returned, in the form of work, fitness classes, art classes, evenings out with friends, shopping, cooking meals and one hundred and one other ways. Everything has been underpinned by the awesomeness of knowing that I have achieved something amazing and incredible, and so even the ordinary, everyday things became extraordinary. Now, a year on, aside from a few minor blips, I have integrated the Lightning Process more fully, automatically and naturally into my everyday life, and am feeling even more settled and fulfilled. And actually, even the blips have proved to be useful learning opportunities in doing everything even better!
I remember reading a book about M.E. shortly after being diagnosed. There is one piece of "advice" which stood out to me; that when you have M.E., you have to get used to sitting on the sidelines and watch everyone else having a good time. That was total anathema to a fun-loving extrovert like myself, and I never accepted that would be my lot.
I am so thankful for the Lightning Process, and for those people who helped to make my recovery possible through its' use. It has truly allowed me to be that fun-loving extrovert. The Lightning Process has been more far reaching in changing my life than I could have imagined. I'm me, but just with the best bits! I have often heard people say they would like to wave a magic wand to make all the bad things disappear. The Lightning Process is probably the closest thing you can get to waving a magic wand!
Many never believed it would be possible for man to walk on the moon. Conventional medicine believes it is not possible to recover from M.E. Although extraordinary, and almost beyond comprehension, the fact is that these things have happened. Neil Armstrong did walk on the moon, and, with some effort and determination, I have recovered completely from M.E.
I have spoken to very many people about the Lightning Process over the last months, many of whom could benefit from using it in their lives for a whole variety of reasons. I have found that, mostly, everyone is amazed and extremely pleased for me for the changes that they see in me. However, I am only aware of one of these people choosing to do the Lightning Process for themselves. In my experience, I have found that there are several reasons which may prevent people from doing the Lightning Process and making those changes for themselves.
I would encourage anyone to find within themselves whatever is necessary to commit to doing the Lightning Process training. I know what it is like to be in that place, and I now know what it is like to be free.
I'm looking forward to the next year and continuing living my extraordinary life!
Eli's story
When I decided to join the Lightning Process seminar with Heather (Feb 2008) I had ran out of options. My life had been restricted to staying home with my family most of the time doing as little as possible for more than two years. I suffered from all kinds of symptoms, from dizziness, overwhelming fatigue and sound sensitivity to muscle pain, migraine and sleep problems. I was unable to work and participate in normal social activities. Any activity such as going for a walk or having dinner with family or friends left me exhausted and unwell for days. I had tried almost every imaginable treatment or therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, healing etc, in addition to numerous diet restrictions and supplements. I never felt depressed, more a sense of despair and from not being able to live a normal life and concern for the future. I was 42 years old and had never been sick before.
In the morning before the start of the second day of the seminar I had a shower. And for the first time in a very long time I didn’t have to sit down on the bathroom floor to gather the strength to dry off and get dressed. I simply got out of the shower and got on with the day! I continued to experience amazing improvements during the second and third day and I could join the others in a restaurant for dinner without any difficulties, the sounds and noise in a restaurant had been unbearable just 2 days before.
After returning home I used LP in many different situations, sometimes 10-15 times a day. Within a week I was able to go to sleep and sleep through the night by using the process, and I regained more energy and strength every day. I now have a job I love, go for hikes with my husband and our dogs and have a fulfilling social life.
Heather is an amazingly inspiring and wonderful trainer! She carried out the training and follow-up in the most professional way, and she helped me to see aspects of my relationship to my health that I hadn’t been able to spot. She is deeply committed to helping others and I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to take part in this wonderful, life enhancing process. Thank you, Heather!
Sarah's Story
Dear Heather,
I just wanted to write to you to thank you so much for teaching me the ‘Lightning Process’ at your course in February. I have gained so much benefit from the processes you taught me and I am excited to say that I have made so much progress on many fronts by using the process.
The process has enabled me to raise my energy levels to the extent that I swam with my son for the first time ever! Yes, I had been in a pool and ‘bobbed’ about with him before, but I had not swum. I swum two lengths and also played with him in the pool for half an hour. I don’t know who was more happy, him or I. I have also been able to take my elderly parents on a weekend away, managing all the packing, unpacking, driving, cooking and days out! The process has also helped in other unexpected areas of my life, such as stress management and confidence.
The key certainly is consistency, and I know I have to keep working hard at this, but the benefits – as you can see – are well worth the effort.
You have been so supportive, Heather, and it has meant a lot to know that you are always there at the end of the phone for support and extra guidance. Thank you does not seem enough, but it is a heart felt THANK YOU !!!
Kindest regards,
Sarah Whelan 4th June, 2010
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Irene Welle Facebook message to Heather: June 2010
Look what you made me do just three months after your seminar in april 08(after 3 years in bed)! You are fantastic!! And now the summer is here and we have fantastic weather. Enjoy your new house and have a fantastic summer!! I will :-) Irene
Irene 2010
Katie's Story - Migraines
I suffered severe migraines for 3 years. The initial trigger was a marriage breakup, but over the 3 years I seemed to get them for every little reason and even no reason .. just a repeatable pattern of every 2/3 weeks experiencing intense compression in my head, a sick feeling and finally pain which lead me to spend 2 days in bed, throwing up, eating nothing and suffering extreme pain. I took endless days off work, where I had to work twice as hard afterwards to catch up .. and everyone came to know that 'Katie has migraines every 2 weeks, she'll be ill for 2 days, recovering for 1 and then her usual bouncy, energetic self again'.
The Lightning Process taught me that I was in control of all of this and had expertly built up this destructive pattern (not knowing that and definitely not wanting it but I had been able to get my brain to expect and look for the symptoms and my body to react in the way it knew it should). The LP is so logical and so simple, you wonder why you didn't realise it and do something about it yourself. But when you are in this cycle and downward pattern, you just don't know how to get out. The LP shows you how to break the pattern and change the destructive one into a constructive one.
For me it has been life changing (as is so often quoted by others who have done the course). I actually went to the course at the start of a migraine and on the first day rushed home and was really sick... that was the last time (April 2010) and from then on, I have improved and improved. Over the last few months, I still have had some headaches but very low level - they haven't interrupted anything I was doing, and in most cases I have been able to get rid of them before they even came. When I haven't got rid of them, I have managed through them easily - no-one would even know that I had one (e.g. I had one when with my brother in law in Germany - we went swimming and I swam 1 Km ... with a headache, just doing the LP to get through it..made me smile to think I had done that). As time goes on, it gets easier and easier to stop the headaches, and I am thinking right now that I won't get another one - it really feels like I am on track to 100% health. In fact these days I hardly do the LP - just when I feel I need it. Makes me really impressed by how powerful my brain is, and actually so proud that I have turned this around myself (with some expert tuition and follow up advice from Heather). I would really recommend anyone who is feeling stuck in any way to do the LP .. it definitely works.
iting months of my life. Not only have I gone from ME to NOT having ME ever again, but I feel better then ever. I'm more relaxed, I enjoy every part of my life, and as you taught us; ...You've changed my life in more ways than I thought you would when I signed up to join the training program in London.' To read more of Sophie's story 
Amsterdam! Earlier I was really afraid to fly, but now I am completely relaxed. Every day I am walking and training with my dog, and tomorrow we are going to compete in obedience!:-) I have also been able to read a lot of books. So, you see - I can do everything that I want!! Heather, I am SO GRATEFUL for what you and the Lightning Process gave to me and my family!!' To read more 
Ingrid: It's been about a month since I went to the LP seminar and my life has completely changed. It's actually a bit difficult to remember all the changes I've made because it feels so natural to be well now. To read more of her story 
h you. I still have a lot of energy every day - and I do a lot of things everyday! I still get up at about 0830 every morning - feeling good and ready for a new day :-) And I don`t have to lay down and rest during the day. I sleep well and I don't use any painkillers for my back and muscles. I tolerate sounds (like in cafès) and I can stay many hours in town shopping and talking to friends at cafès. To read more of Tone's story 
of energy every day - and I do a lot of things everyday! I still get up at about 0830 every morning - feeling good and ready for a new day :-) And I don`t have to lay down and rest during the day. I sleep well and I don`t use any painkillers for my back and muscles. I tolerate sounds (like in cafès) and I can stay many hours in town shopping and talking to friends at c afès. Me and Kent go for long walkes and that is very nice. I get stronger in my legs and in my body. We`ve been on several trips this summer - being much 
