She is back and still pissed and at least she addresses her responsibility as well. The drama continues!

[youtu.be]

She kept a diary of how many days she had diarrhea and blood, she goes over each day. Maybe she thought that was normal and usual. Basically she had it every day. She said the interns checked her stools and they said it was tomato or watermelon, the red stuff, but no, it was blood. If that was me, I would stop fasting immediately. But who knows what this woman has lived through. She is talking about how hard walking with everyone was and every five steps she had to crawl or something in so much pain. She had to be carried around by everybody. She has photos of herself lying in couches.
Doug did not believe she was near death, but the doctors, the clinical data at the hospital her mom took her to, that she was near death. She showed off her studies and blood test results and bacteria.
She is out for his blood. She feels totally scammed because of what happened and angry that she thinks Dave Klein lied about when she filled out her application about her disease.

SHe wants people to know.

She looks up the book about colitis and crohns disease written by him and reads off ads for the fasting retreat when Doug says they dont accept those patients, why is there an ad in the book?

Then there is a video of her mom talking about it.

I think its very sad and unfortunate. But there is a market for water fasting retreats, and lots of controversy. I used to hear about another raw vegan fasting retreat that had problems maybe ten years ago, if anyone remembers that one. Only healthy people should be accepted. I also think its tough because alot of people think they have things they really do not, I have met alot. I been told myself by iridologist I have IBS,
and I laughed. So people take these things with a grain of salt I think.

She was on 811 before this too. And still is I think. I Feel sorry I thought her testimonial was a "story" or "testimonial that couldnt be trusted" I see her point is very valid. BUt as a legal secretary I know there are two sides of a story and people sometimes do create victim stories. you find out later that both parties arguing share in responsibility sometimes so I was trying to keep an open mind. I just apologize.

DOUg has to deal with this. He has to pull a rabbit out of his ass. I can see this going viral. I got it in my feed. I believe in him he can make this right.

I do not think what Doctors write is the end all in truth either.

I worked for law firm that went after insurance companies that didnt pay and I saw the scams on boths sides. Its a business, they look for things wrong with you, they look hard. They say you need test after test that costs 500$ -$11,000 each.. I told you guys before I had 12 prescriptions for anti biotics in one year..the doctors ruined my health with those. Before raw. I have been misdiagnosed so many times, I had to go to second opinions many times. I paid 1000 a time for stupid tests inconclusive, saying that what was wrong with me was nickle allergy! I had candida!! Oh, all the time. Told soap and water will cure my candida, by another doctor..etc.

SO just because a doctor says something..does not make it truth. Its fortunetelling and a business as well and they are making tons of money off insurance and you so the more they can find wrong the more money they make.

So just to keep things in balance. There are no absolutes in this case. Plus I did go to Costa Rica for dental and some other surgeries, and if you think American doctors/ dentists bad..woah...there is a reason it is so cheap. Bastards.

The reason I say this is because she thinks her diagnosis and test results are "scientific fact" and the end all in truth and judgment. And if she has to pay for all that, with no health insurance, she will be paying forever and ever. I think she is going to go after Doug to pay these bills. So..possibly you take that into consideration when listening to her side. I wonder what will happen next.

Doug is not evil. I know this. He has a good heart and he has integrity. All the people he has cured need to come forward. But this is a tricky business water fasting.. and alot of people I am sure want to see him not healing people anymore also. He is only human.





Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 09/05/2014 04:20PM by coconutcream.

This was posted on vegsource and has a fasting testimonial supporting leah.
Her name is Irene.

********************************************

I have been watching a thread related to Leah
Branster's fasting video and there is no option for
me to add a comment to the thread (I'm not clear on
all the ways of facebook) so I am responding by
sending you all a group message. It seems that I
need to weigh in on the story since I was an eye
witness and participant at the Costa Rica Fast with
Doug Graham and was side by side with Leah as a
faster.

My own experience is that I had no obvious medical
issues, have been 80/10/10 for over 4 years and
wanted better results and fine tuning. My fasting
experience past day 4 was horrifically painful and
uncomfortable physically and emotionally. So going
in to a fast, no one can really know if their
experience will be easy or hard. This is a given now
after what I experienced I know that to be true. And
I know that many of the fasters report having
relatively easy experiences.

Having said that I want to clear up a few things
here about Doug's program and Doug's attitude.
First, as a witness to the part of the program Leah
was present to from day one to the morning she got
into the cab, I was there and I can corroborate that
everything she reports is not an exaggeration but
quite accurate.

She leaves out so much, which if were added, people
would find it even harder to believe perhaps. There
is the question of professionalism, negligence &
just plain bad human behavior on the table here. I
recognize that every human being has a right to
their unresolved issues and character flaws--we all
have them, I have them, and there should be room for
all of us to work them out as we stumble our way
through life. I don't hold that against Doug any
more than I can say I'm perfect and flawless.

But as a professional I hold myself responsible for
keeping my issues out of the room when I'm teaching
or working 1 on 1 with a client, and if I'm offered
feedback, I'm very conscientious about owning my
stuff and cleaning it up with that person. I would
expect that of any professional, especially someone
in a helping profession.

Let me cut to the chase now. I experienced Doug to
be abusive, condescending, judgmental, ridiculing,
both privately and publicly, both covertly and
overtly. I offered him feedback, I shared the effect
his behavior was having on me and he was defensive
and belittling in response, adding then more public
humiliation.

To those of you who think this is about blaming,
please understand that I believe I am 100%
responsible for my own experience and I've looked at
why I attracted or allowed such behavior in a
survival level situation into my life. I can see
that part of it is about being so determined for
healing even if mine was a much more subtle health
condition than Leah's.

That determination, or desperation, or need becomes
a willingness to overlook or work with his
previously obvious issues--I've seen him belittle,
ridicule and be condescending in covert ways on
stage and in person before. I figured I could work
around his enormous alpha male ego and veiled anger
because I wanted what he is selling--the best of the
best of the best knowledge and care when it comes to
fasting, diet, fitness.

Well folks I didn't realize what being in a
survival situation would actually be like with that
behavior and as far as I am concerned, you can't
separate proper care protocols from abusive behavior
when you are assessing the quality of his program.

Please do not make the mistake of assuming that I
am exaggerating. If anyone would like to contact me
directly, I will be happy to give you details and
answer any questions you may have because I don't
want anyone else to enter this experience without
the facts. This kind of knowledge could save lives.

I'll give one example of many about his negligence-
-I was fainting constantly throughout the fast and
refeeding period. I fainted several times an hour
often, learning to get low to the ground whenever I
felt it coming on to minimize falling down.

Nonetheless I fainted and fell hard onto tile floors
several times, hitting my head, being out cold for
several seconds and bleeding. If someone wants proof
I can show you my scar on the back of my head where
hair is still not growing, due to the final fall.

After the first fall where I passed out in the
bathroom, hit tile floor and shattered a ceramic mug
all over the floor, I spoke with him the next day
with concern about my fainting issue. I told him I
was really worried about getting a bad head injury.
He wasn't at all concerned and didn't think any
intervention was required.

The last time I fell was in a public area. They said
I fell like a tree and was out cold for several
seconds. My roommate ran to get Doug who was sunning
at the pool. It took him 20 minutes before he
finally arrived to check on me. It was my roommate
who came for the walking tour. You can ask her
directly but watching his behavior that day and in
other instances turned her away completely from ever
trusting Doug again. (Doug likes to say he has a
100% happiness review from his fasters and
participants and I'm here to tell you it's a bold
and flat out lie--I was a faster and I am not giving
him a good review at all, my roommate from the
walking tour feels the same.)

As for Leah, she did not "turn a corner" by any
stretch of the imagination. I was afraid she was
dying. I was concerned that she might need to go to
a hospital. My fellow fasters were also concerned
the same way. We watched, we comforted her, we tried
to support her. We left it up to Doug to be in
charge and perhaps that was right or perhaps it was
a mistake. Every day she looked like hell and felt
like hell.

He kept pushing everyone to walk and exercise and
using shame and belittling tactics when people like
I and Leah couldn't/wouldn't comply. We were too
weak and I was fainting all the time and he was flip
and distant about it--at least with me. Leah and I
shared about the pressure we felt from him and the
doubt that instilled about what was right--do I push
through the pain and fainting and weakness (both of
us) and bleeding and vomiting (Leah) to walk and
exercise because he is so adamant, or do I trust my
wisdom that says it's crazy to expect that of myself
right now.

It was a very alienating environment which eroded
your trust in yourself. People, I can give you so
many examples of his negligence and abuse if you
really want to know. There is no gray area here,
really. Doug will defend and downplay this to
protect his reputation, unfortunately, and I suppose
that's understandable, but not respectable. And
people who want to believe in him as the best of the
best will want to turn a blind eye to these stories,
to make excuses for him.

After all, it's really hard to believe that his
integrity is that far off when he presents as such a
sincere and caring teacher. But watch carefully
without attachment and you will see for yourself.

My greatest wish is that he give up his fasting
programs and continue to work on his issues, leaving
such survival level circumstances to programs which
are more humane and responsible with lots of checks
in place. And please, keep this dialogue open and
share Leah's video to everyone in the raw food
world--let them decide for themselves.

I am open to 1-on-1 conversations and I imagine Leah
is too. Joy King if you know how to add this
response of mine to the thread, please feel free to
do so, for some reason it won't give me that option.

Thank you everyone for your sincere interest in
education, optimal well-being, high standards of
professionalism & truth. the issue here is not
whether fasting is good. I still believe in fasting
but with my knowledge and recent research I realize
there are ways to improve the experience.

The issue here is whether fasting with Doug Graham
is good. And personally, I would not want anyone to
be subjected to that kind of experience and I would
steer them to other programs instead.

*********************************************

Leah’s response:

Thank you Irene for taking the time to write about
what you experienced as well. David Klein has come
out with a statement against me regarding my fasting
experience, his statements are apparently a response
from Doug.

They are both saying I did not disclose my condition
in my pre-fast application, that I hid vital
information and I did not reveal the truth until
half way through my fast???

There is a lot more to what David Klein has said and
I have been very distressed and extremely upset ever
since reading his comments. Everything he has said
are complete lies. I still have the pre-fast
application saved on my computer. I disclosed every
single thing in my application. I did not hide
anything. I was sincere in everything I disclosed
because I wanted to get the most benefit from
fasting and also obtain his professional
advice/experience regarding my health conditions.

I understand I have damaged his reputation by
sharing my experience and that he is trying to cover
it up. But the truth is the truth and I will not
stand by while innocent people are being lied to.

************************************************

Irene responded:

I should add that I had an in depth email discussion
about these issues with Doug's billing person so I'm
quite sure that he is well aware that saying all his
other fasters were happy is not true.

Leah I think you are one of the most courageous
people I've ever met. First because of what you were
willing to go through during your fast for healing
and second for standing up and speaking out to
challenge Doug knowing he wouldn't take it well.

Perhaps you'll be willing to do a follow-up video
sharing the application and clearing up the facts
for people who find it hard to believe. By reporting
what happened, it's possible for things to be
addressed but people still have to decide what they
believe. That part is not in your power.

I know you and I know you're telling the truth only
to make it possible for other people to be spared,
knowing that it wouldn't be popular. You have no
other reason and I admire you for that. My hope is
that as David reads this it can plant at least a
seed of concern. People in a position of helping
many have a big responsibility to also be as sure as
they can be to present true facts which isn't always
easy to sort out based on he said she said.
Blessings to everyone on this path.

************************************************

fresh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You have no
> other reason and I admire you for that.
> Blessings to everyone on this path.
>
> ************************************************

the money she did not get back?

I was at the sauna today and this dude (noisy, loud, etc) was told that he cannot bring dumbbells to the sauna. He also brings his little radio with speakers irritatiing everybody. Lo and behold, when I left he was trying to get the lifeguard fired for not keeping the pool super clean. The triggering point was when he was told about the dumbbelss. From then on, the lifeguard was his enemy and he was talking trash about him. What a jerk. My point is the motivation of people is often hidden. Nobody knows the whole thing.

Doug is in the @#$%& now! I like reading stories because information is always good. I always wanted to know what goes on there. Thanks for the posts Leah and Irene! Thank you. I love hearing stories.

I really cannot speak. I never went on a fasting retreat. I did do a ten day water fast while working in a law office the whole time. I got pretty skinny but I never fainted- and I felt great. Here I am breaking the fast with sugar cane juice. [4.bp.blogspot.com]
the idea of paying that much money to drink water...um no.

I like raw food retreats where there are massages, raw food, kayaking, rapelling, drum circles and sweat lodges. Naked people and thai coconuts with straws. Yoga 9 classes in a row, on a fruit cruise, to Bahamas...Paying for water just seems...I can do that at home for free.





Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2014 05:05PM by coconutcream.

Thanks coconutcream and fresh for posting these.

Really, it's appalling that a young girl like this could be so abused - by anyone, much less by someone claiming to be a healer.

Leah has the evidence at least to prove that lies were told regarding what Doug Graham knew about her condition prior to the fast. Just this alone is appalling.

Mr. Graham, who calls himself a "doctor", is actually a former chiropractor who has been unlicensed for many years, and who graduated from a chiropractor school that was unaccredited at the time. A professional license would have required him to have specified hours of continuing education, which he did not receive. And yet he is operating a fasting retreat in a remote area without regard to the inherent risks for his clients.

I'm personally a strong believer in the benefits of fasting - for myself at least. But it's just foolish to continue a fast when a person is continually vomiting plus has diarrhea and can't keep down water.

Good for Leah for refusing to accept the $8,000 refund that would have required her to stay silent.

I remember when Dr. Shelton had his fasting retreat in San Antonio. I think he charged around $300/week. Graham charges around $11,000 for the full fast. What a deal!



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2014 10:23AM by suncloud.

His first/only written response to all of this (since he said he cannot not comment on "clients" ) was that "there were 24 people that I had to attend to" (even though there were probably only 12 or less+ (interns?). ugh. Just assuming everything is going to be fine - maybe part of the dangers of natural hygiene. I do understand him not wanting her to go to hospital because a previous client did go and allegedly they overmedicated her and she died, but still no excuse for non monitoring of water intake and condition, etc.

Fresh I did not know that. Yes, hospitals are extremely dangerous. I agree with you about the no excuse too. Leah refused 8 grand? Really? I never say no to money. Panchito that is a story! where you at?

Is there such a thing as a fasting doctor a fasting phd? Someone who can really understand the human body- plus be a good people person and good businessman? Who would you vote for?

[www.healthpromoting.com]

coconutcream Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Panchito that is a story! where
> you at?

right here

I've been around enough to know how people can twist things. That's all. They need a story where they are the victims. Otherwise it won't work. If the story is believed, then they win. So the challenge turns into a literary\media\creativity challenge and then blowed up by people like DR (vengeance fro being thrown out) . I don't denied that it is true or partially true but the judgemental\victim part is often used for a purpose (like vegeance). I am so sick of politic tactics and fake role victims that you probably would not understand. Reality is what you can get away with. So far all I hear is one side of the story multiplied a thousand times by the media that felt for the one side story.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2014 07:31PM by Panchito.

Thanks again to fresh for the link to True North Center:

"The staff at TrueNorth Health Center includes medical doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors, naturopaths, psychologists, research scientists, and other health professionals. The Center is now the largest facility in the world that specializes in medically supervised water-only fasting...

"The doctors at TrueNorth Health Center have extensive experience in the evaluation and conservative management of high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and a wide range of other health conditions. Participants come to fast and detoxify, lose weight, and make diet and lifestyle changes while enjoying a health-promoting diet derived from whole natural foods."

My vote is for TrueNorth. Dr.Joel Fuhrman seems highly qualified too.

For a longer fast (like the 24-day fast that Leah undertook), qualified medical supervision is probably good to have - especially when a person has a disease condition to begin with (like Leah's ulcerative colitis). And I think one should expect no less for $11,000.

The mother (a former nurse) was surprised to find that no blood tests had been taken prior to the fast. Is Doug Graham trained to read a blood test? Is Doug Graham even CPR-certified?

There appears to be some question about the water there too. 1st requirement for a good water fast: good water.

Suncloud, that is great, Fresh too. And panchito I agree with you as well. But we have to be balanced about both sides of the story too. Make sure everyone is heard. Then we make the case. Like I said before, this water fasting business sure has its responsibilities. Remember Loren Lockman's water fasting clinic, anyone? He got some slack too.

You know what I think, I think people sign up for Doug's because of the raw food lifestyle they might be in, plus they read his books, know of him, want to learn more from him, it might be a way to meet someone else raw like you, or hang out with others like minded in the 811 world. Like a social thing. It may be a raw food retreat getaway like a retreat almost.

Sick people need to go to a place like True North Center. It makes sense.

I was at the Tree of Life when there was a guy there who had HIV in his blood, doesnt mean it creates aids, just present in the blood when someone is on the road to getting full blown aids.. and he was doing a green juice fast. I remember he was really sad and depressed alot but he started feeling better and was doing meditation every night. Anyways, Gabriel was doing blood work on him and tests the whole way and he was getting supplements.

The green juice they serve there is treated like gold.( 2 cucumbers blended, then add half head kale, half head celery and blend and add a little water if not turning, then nut mylk bag strain)

I think I would try that first if I was fasting.

Also there is the grape cure book. In some country-a clinic somewhere.. where they fast on water one week and rest of the time you are there, they just eat grapes and they say they have in the 90's percentage rate cures from all sorts of cancers and illnesses. I would look in to those too. If I was sick.

WHen I fasted ten days I was trying to lose scar tissue from a surgery. I didnt work, I was taking enzymes too, vitalzymes. It was really hard. My breath stank. I couldnt imagine doing 20 days. I dont know. I would be really wired I think out of my skull.

The only reason I did that was from all the testimonials I read about fasting. You just cannot trust testimonials of any kind. People swear by it, but it may not work at all for you.

I have been talked into some crazy stuff too, like hearing someone speak then signing up for workshops where its crazy cult stuff. I think we are all lonely sometimes and just want to be around people.

Or you can try a greens fast, like just eat greens stuff. No fruit. I did that for a week at Ann Wigmore, I was so weak. When I had papaya, boy did I feel joy in my heart.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2014 10:39PM by coconutcream.

Good thoughts MADO. Thanks.

I feel bad for that leah girl I am glad she is ok. I never understood people paying that much money. I have done 40 day water fasts at home and just continued working.
I feel bad for people who are intimidated by people and are afraid to stand up to them.
People need to research anyone that they are getting any kind of service from no matter what it is.
I see so many people taking advice from unqualified people. It is really bad now with you tube and desperate people listening to bad advice.

Feeling bad for people who are intimidated by others.

Yes, I feel bad for them too.

I think Doug needs to address this. Publicly apologize, explain his side, offer her a solution, because she is pissed.

Do you think there are some people out there, that...I saw this on tv, I forget what it is called, but they even convince doctors that something is wrong with them, and always believe in germs and things getting them, and they are not really sick..like it is always something new, like asthma or phobias. What is that called, when they chronically are sick from something, anything? They might even create it. I didn't think it was possible but I saw it on tv. Usually as a child they had something wrong with them and alot of attention.


I found it is called

Munchausen syndrome is a mental disorder in which a person fakes illness to gain attention and sympathy. Its very hard to diagnose and you can always find doctors to agree with you.

I am not saying this has anything to do with this, noone will ever know but the people involved..
but it reminds me of what I saw on tv. Since we are talking about sick people and all.

An Iridologist told me by looking at my eyes I had IBS. WHat the hell is that, I laughed.

Ok sometimes I fake being "exhausted" so I do not have to houseclean.

Has anyone heard has this case been cleared up yet?

I hope that healing from this will occur too.
xxx

By the way, I emailed you.


RawGosia channel
RawGosia streams

Sometimes the money you pay to find truth, brings you there in a way you didnt expect.. and you really got what you paid for, by finding out that the truth is inside you, not in some group, gang, or lifestyle. Yes I got your pm will act on it shortly.

The magic is inside you.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/2014 06:22PM by coconutcream.

why would anyone do extended water fasts when they can do a juice fast ( greens etc.)

and get nutrified, cleansed and fortified

water only , i think is really weakening plus it doesn't chelate things out like chlorophyll rich liquids do

plus no minerals vitamins repairing things during the fast

i think water fast is kind of inferior to juice fasts that are low glycemic

what is others opinion on this?

i'm open even if i have a biased opinion

lol

Motion to exclude Douglas Graham from WFF events. 09/27/2014

I just saw that. I put up a post titles "what is going on?" here.. I still am waiting for an answer.