By Julia Sheppard
I’m going to share something personal and painful with you in hopes that it spares you that same pain. The past two years have been a nightmare for me and my family. We almost lost our precious Heather to something we still don’t fully understand. Fortunately, I can say “almost” because she is slowly becoming our Heather again. She is regaining all the things she lost to what the medical doctors called regression. I know beyond any doubt that her recovery is because of the work of Dixie Lawrence and Gabi Giacomin, who has worked with Dixie to create a personalized recovery plan for Heather. The plan began with Targeted Nutritional Intervention (TNI), detoxing the brain, and healing the gut.
Before I explain what the darkest days were like, I want you to understand a little bit about who Heather was before the nightmare struck. When Heather was born, our family was instantly in love with her! We knew right away that we would love her no matter what challenges we faced, and we would face these challenges using everything available to us. Since public education for those who learn differently was not successful in our town, Heather attended private school. Even with education geared to her learning style, she struggled to learn to read. Heather has always been a fighter for what she wants, and she never gave up on learning. That drive paid off! As a young adult, Heather could read and write, and I mean read text as difficult as the Bible. She read fluently, with expression, and interjected her lively personality into her reading. She also made friends everywhere she went and had an outgoing personality. She’s always loved to make other people laugh so I guess she is what you would call a born comedian. She also showed a talent early on for dancing and attended Zumba classes. In fact, she knew the routines so well that she led the class when the instructor was away for any reason. This is a picture of what life was like for Heather before she changed.
Now I need to explain what it was like in those hopeless, dark days. I need you to understand this so that you can help your child if you are facing this reality or so that you can avoid any dark days ahead if you have not faced them already. Heather began by slowing down in every way imaginable. This means slowing down physically to the point where she could barely walk, slowing down mentally to the point where she no longer understood any spoken or written language, and what I would describe as sinking spiritually to the point where she had, for the first time in her life, given up on everything. She no longer made eye contact and had symptoms of autism including extreme sensory issues. At one point, she could no longer stand to wear any clothing at all! Can you imagine your 22-year-old
daughter screaming and crying when you try to have her put on underwear? Well, it was our reality. In the middle of winter, she could not even stand to cover herself with a blanket. We had to turn up the heat, close all the curtains so no one could see her, and hide away in our home. She became aggressive and wanted to hit or push us, and I had NEVER seen even a hint of aggression in my sweet Heather before this. Her dad and I felt helpless to give our child relief from her misery (and I believe she was miserable). Then one day, I made a desperate plea for help on Facebook (of all things). I never thought I would find actual help there, but I was wrong! God had a different plan. He had been listening to our pleas and was planning help for Heather. Now I believe He wants me to share that plan with you.
From that post on Facebook, I learned of the Trisomy 21 Research Group and Dixie Lawrence. I honestly didn’t know where to begin so I posted my cry for help on the group page. I want to tell you that I had so many replies that my head was spinning trying to read and understand each one. Then came a reply from Dixie! She said I needed to get Heather on the TNI protocol right away! She said it was imperative that I not waste time. I took a few days to read information and research on Dixie’s website and pray about it with my husband. We decided that the research was sound, and that TNI’s design was to help those with T21 have a healthy human body the way God intended. That day, we placed our first order. Our situation was so serious that Dixie had me add several additional supplements as Heather could handle them. Heather’s first day of TNI was July 16, 2017. I continued to read posts made by other parents and by experts on the group, and on December 7, 2017, we changed her diet to dairy and gluten free. In March 2018, we had our first skype appointment with Gabi. She created a diet and supplement plan for Heather based upon her test results, and we have followed this plan carefully.
So many things have changed in one year! Heather used to struggle with weight, easily gaining while eating very little food. At her heaviest, she weighed 189 pounds! This was with counting calories and exercising! Honestly, she eats much more food now than she did back then, but she weighs 135. She continues to slowly lose weight, and we plan to focus on getting her to her healthiest weight once she has had a bit more time to heal. Without effort, she is still losing extra pounds. Although some of her sensory seeking behaviors remain, such as rubbing her shirt on her face or a soft tissue or cloth on her arm, she now gets up in the morning and dresses herself! Yes, you read that right! She wants to wear clothes again! She is using her smart phone to Facetime her brother and text and call her family and friends! She is writing her thoughts and plans in her journal! Honestly! She said to me this morning, “I need a job!” I said, “Yes, sweetheart, you do!” I don’t know if she may want to seek higher education or find a job once she is completely healed, but I do know she has a future brighter than I once hoped! We are not finished in our journey to healing, but I have my daughter back!
If you have been reading about TNI and are SCARED to try it, PLEASE think about what you may have to fear if you don’t do it! I know some of you have children or adults who have been diagnosed with autism or PANDAS/PANS. Traditional medicine alone cannot heal your child! Many of those treatments help temporarily but end up making your child even sicker. The truth is that there is no instant fix to such a complicated problem. It will take time and dedication on your part to stick to the protocol, but you will not regret it. When you have your child back, you will thank God that you did it! I am praying for each parent who reads this and each child who needs this treatment to understand that it is not dangerous but is logical and natural. I am praying that you can prevent what we went through and what our girl went through, but if you are already facing similar challenges, I pray that you have the courage, money, and support to try TNI. Find a doctor who will work with you and look at the whole child. Message Dixie and ask for her help. Have Gabi Giacomin help you over skype. God bless all of you as you face the joys and challenges that your precious child brings.
Why do you think this all just came on now at 22 but it wasn’t there before? My 24 year old with DS/autism is just now having behavior issues and aggression and personality change
Regression can begin as early as the first decade. Some vaccines seem to produce a quick decline. To get help, join TNI-Beginners group on Facebook and we will switch you over to recovery.
Down sendromlu yigenim için bu program hakkında bilgi almak ve uygulamak istiyorum.
Je suis française je ne comprends pas le texte
We have translators available. Join the TNI Beginners Group on Facebook.
Hi I’m Kelly a Single Mom of my Special Angel Kaelen who is a 10 year old boy. I’m hoping with writing this I can get some input from other parents that are sadly having to go through this pain & heartache while our Precious Angel’s go through Regression. Just to give you a brief story about my Kaelen he use to be my Happy, loving, Joyful, Social butterfly who loved everyone & brought so much happiness to me & others . As you know these past 2 years have been extremely hard for all of us but I feel our children the most, my Kaelen was attending the same school for 3 years & just before Pandemic came home to Enjoy Spring break & then we were told about Pandemic & he was then Unable to go to school say good bye to his friends & his teacher’s that he loved, without really understanding why he was then put at a different school where he had to do Virtual schooling which was very Challenging for both him & I . Tried as hard as I could to get him to do the work & participate but he was just giving up. I then got him into Speech & Occupational therapy which he started attending 3 days a week which was helping thank God. But sadly for 6 weeks now he was becoming Catatonic & would barely talk as a mother I was very concerned so I took him to Emergency room & they admitted him in hospital where they ran all kinds of tests trying to give me answers. Thank God tests came back normal, but then we were told to follow up with Pediatrician & to see Psychiatrist I know in my heart there is more to this so this is why I have reached out to Camille & she gave me your website & told me to reach out to others that are or have gone through this. Please if anyone can share or help it would be so Greatly Appreciated.
Nice to meet you. Please join TNI Beginners Group on Facebook and from there you can move to the regression recovery group.
Yes join the beginners group. Please don’t be like me and hesitate. I’ve been in the group 3 years and just started my daughter on the detox protocol she has started to talk, her eczema is almost completely gone she having regular bowel movements. This protocol is an answer to prayer.
We are so grateful it’s helped your precious child.
I’m sorry, I do not understand your question.
Hello. I’m trying to decide what supplements are best as a preventative measure to Alzheimer’s. My daughter is 42 and non signs so far.
Hello there am new here and in Africa Ghana. Hw can I get my supplements to start. Ma boy a year today
Join TNI-Beginners Group on Facebook. You will learn how this works. Also see the link for Support. It takes you directly to the protocol.
My DS daughter is 42 and is showing no signs of regression. Aging physically and a little mentally but nothing else. I’d like to know what she could be taking now to prevent Alzheimer’s down the road. Thx
She should at least be on the Polyphenol Formula and a good antioxidant, astaxanthin. Best outcome would be to get her on full protocol. See the SAC member page and contact one of our physicians.
Hi Dixie and Julia! My name is Noemi and I have a 30 y/o daughter w/Down’s. I was almost in tears while reading your story for I feel like for the very first time, I feel like I’m reading my story. I have the same scenario with daughter and I’m interested to know more about this supplements that had helped Hather.
Join TNI-Beginners Group on Facebook. From there we will get you into the recovery group.
I feel like God led me to this site. My son, Matthew, has been dealing with regression since June. He is on different anti psychotic meds. He is not aggressive any more, but does not speak. He really does nothing but lay on the couch. It is heartbreaking to watch. Can you give me any more info on these supplements. Thank you, Ronda
Join TNI-Beginners Group on Facebook. From there we will get you into the recovery group.
Came into this group very worried about my son. He’s 21 and having regression. I’m just starting out.
Thank you so much for bringing me to this group.
Apply to join TNI-Beginners Group on Facebook. From there we will get you into the recovery group.
My daughter is 32 and has been declining for the past 7 years. It has been one step forward and 20 back. She was very active in ( Special Olympics) sports and loved hanging with her friends watching movies listening to music dancing. Always on the go and wanted to do so many things. Then at age 25 it all changed and it’s just been one challenge after another. Doctors saying depression, Alzheimer’s trying different meds only to make it worse. I googled and read so much!!! Just begging for answers!!! Please help
Please contact me through Facebook messenger and we will help your daughter. I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you. I rarely get comments here. Dixie Lawrence
Join the TNI Beginners Group on Facebook. There you can tag Julia Sheppard or Tamera Ragan. They will move you into the recovery group. Be sure to respond to the questions or the admins can’t approve your application.
My daughter stopped using her voice a year ago and has no personality or facial expression. She is vacant. I am desperate. Can you help?
Join the TNI Beginners Group in Facebook. There, tag Julia Sheppard or Tamera Ragan, they will move you into the recovery group. Be sure to answer the questions when you apply or the admins wont approve it.
I’m desperate for help with my child who, like Lana, has been declining in his functioning for several years. Only recently did a doctor name this that is happening, but still the medications prescribed over the many years only make things worse. I just came by the information about your protocol to help regression, while I have been feeling very isolated and in despair. Please tell me what is the quickest way that I can receive what is needed and all the tools and instructions to get started. I am in both of your groups and kind of wading my way through tons of information, but want to get to helping my son right now.
Join the Facebook group, TNI Beginners Group. Be sure to answer the questions or the admins won’t let you join. From there, you can tag Julia Sheppard or Tamera Ragan and they will move you to the recovery group.
Je suis française je n arrive pas à traduire mais pour mon fils handicapé trisomique 21 de 20!ans régresse et j aimerais avoir des éléments pour comprendre cordialement merci
I’m sorry, I do not know your language.
Bonjour je suis française. Mon fils est trisomique de 20 ans son évaluation est catastrophasses le langage et communique se fond de moins en moins. Je ne comprends pas. Si je pouvais avoir le texte en français ci dessus merci vraiment ça m aiderait beaucoup à comprendre
Please join TNI Beginners Group on Facebook where we have translators available.
I’m so sorry I do not understand your question.
Allez sur Facebook et rejoignez “tni – restoring hope for down syndrome regression” Ils ont aussi un groupe a MEWE sociale parce que facebook censure les groupes. Il y a personnes qui peuvent traducir en francais. Aussi, vouz pouvez facilement utilisez google translate. Il suffit decopier et coller les articles sure ce site et de les coller dans google translate.
Hi, reading through everything I see my son’s life before me. He is 26 and has shown regression for about 3 years. I live in South Africa and hope to get all the products I need.
They are available in SA but you need to join the TNI Beginners Group on Facebook where we can get you in touch with Julia Sheppard who heads our regression recovery group.
We do not see NuTriVene so we really do not know if it is available to you. You can email rob@nutrivene.com to get further information.
I read your story about Heather and am wondering if she had been doing the supplements prior to her decline ? Does she have Down Syndrome?
I’m asking because I thought she was already on the protocol and was wondering if she had regressed with the supplements.
No. Children on this protocol do not suffer from regression.
No, Heather was not on the protocol until after she regressed.
Hello DIxie,
I was a mom with MPS 1 Hurler’s. Dr. Henry Turkel helped me.
Did you have any experience with Dr. Turkel…and is my understanding correct that you worked to bring Nutridene D as an extension of his work?
Yes, I located him in Israel before his death.