Diagnosed in 1994 at age 42
After he was diagnosed at age 42, Steve took a scientific approach to his disease. He figured out early on that lots of water, antioxidants and a low glycemic index diet were key to minimize nerve damage and that good liver function was essential for detoxification. He was in contact with ALS scientists and researchers around the world and was the first person we know of to create an ALS website specifically to share and communicate ALS info. He has helped thousands of PALS. He is now in his 60’s.
Steven Shackel – Details on how he healed ALS
Posted on by Healing ALS Team
The best part about working on our documentary film, Healing ALS has been the people we have met. Every single person we have interviewed who has reversed ALS/MND, whether partially or completely, is truly remarkable and Steven Shackel is no exception. Interviewing him was an honor and the time went by in a flash. Steve lives in Australia so we did the interview via Skype.
Why is Steven Shackel so special?
In 1994, at the age of 42, a muscular athlete and avid cyclist, Steve was diagnosed by one of the top neurologists in the world with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as MND (motor neuron disease) or Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was given 2 years to live, 5 if he was lucky. He was told that there is no known cause or cure for ALS, no way to prevent ALS, that his muscles would waste away and he would soon need a wheelchair. and then a feeding tube and a ventilator, followed by death.
Steve is a bit of a rebel. In his mind, just because no one else has found a solution to the disease does not mean it is not possible to cure it. From the beginning he made the decision to do everything he could to get well. He voraciously read everything he could about ALS/MND. He studied the sciences. He contacted doctors and scientists from around the world to ask questions and to share what he knew. He experimented on himself in a very regimented fashion. From his research, he knew early on that liver function was extremely important and the most important part of keeping the liver healthy was to drink lots of water daily. He also started taking supplements to support his liver. He researched and experimented with diet and found that for him a low glycemic index diet gave the best results. He eliminated sugar completely from his diet, ate low glycemic vegetables and other foods and restricted meat. To say he tried a variety of supplements and protocols would be an understatement. Another area Steve worked on was mind-body and the psychological-emotional aspects of disease. He experimented with meditation and visualization and other mind-body techniques.
On of Steve’s biggest contributions is that he created a website (rare in the mid-1990’s) so he could share everything he learned about ALS/MND and allow others to share their experiences for the benefit of all dealing with this disease.
Month after month, Steve wrote a log of his symptoms, his research, his experimentation with various supplements and protocols and shared that log with the world on his website, http://home.goulburn.net.au/~shackel/mystory.htm. Today, this site remains a valuable resource for many diagnosed with ALS.
Although his supplements and protocols were helping, Steve’s symptoms continued to worsen. His muscles continued waste away, he had to use a cane, and eventually needed a wheelchair.
Still, Steve did not give up. He continued to work on every physical aspect of the disease and he continued to work on mind-body mediation and visualization, keeping a positive attitude and dealing with any psychological issues that came up. He realized that we create everything in our lives and he came to the conclusion that he created his disease, that his disease was no accident. Well, if he created it, he also knew that he could un-create it, in other words, he could heal.
After months of ups and downs, and lots of discouragement, one day, he gave up control. Instead of fighting the disease he accepted completely that he has ALS and was okay with it. This does not mean that he did not continue to do everything he could to get well—it simply meant that he was okay with the disease and with whatever happened. This was a turning point. From that day Steve began to get better. Slowly, over the next months, he began to slowly be able to put weight on his legs and very slowly began to learn to walk again.
Today, almost 20 years from diagnosis, Steve Shackle walks, runs, plays the guitar, cooks dinner for his wife, plays with his animals. Now in his 60’s, Steve looks forward to a normal life expectancy. According to neurologists he no longer has ALS, although given his original test results they stick by their original diagnosis. Truly miraculous results.
Steve Shackle says without a doubt had he not done the physical things he did with diet, detoxification and supplements he would be dead. He also says that had he not done the meditation, visualization and psychological work that he did he would be dead.