AGE ~ 4 Diagnosis – Down syndrome
Gryffin arrived at 38 weeks in a peaceful birth at home. We were completely unprepared for the news that Gryffin had Down syndrome – we didn’t even know what this meant.
Gryffin arrived weak, jaundiced and unresponsive for the most part. Our family doctor had nothing to give us by way of a strategy, so we decided to research our own. Because of our family’s commitment to a natural lifestyle, we decided to investigate alternative therapy options for helping Gryffin boost his immune system and to stimulate his brain development. Once the research had begun, we were convinced that nutrition would play a large role in achieving long-term health. In seeking practitioner support, our paediatrician said ‘Don’t waste your money on Omega 3’s, buy a big TV’. At this point, I knew we were on our own.
The first two years of Gryffin’s life would see miracles unfold before our eyes. We put Gryffin on a broad range of Nutritional Supplements, Homeopathics and herbs. He had many NAET treatments and began to have regular Osteopathy adjustments to help with his growth and the formation of his face (this improved oxygen flow to the brain among other benefits). 
Gryffin did a Yoga program, specially devised for the ‘special child’, and we fed him wholesome, organic foods. Our pilgrimages to the Naturopath were bi-weekly, my research hours were long and the rewards were stunning. By the time we learned about Glenn Doman’s techniques, Gryffin was 10 months old. His health was excellent, his development was very good but we knew we could do even more. Glenn Doman’s approach married together most of what I had already learnt and added even more tools for Gryffin to reach his goals. We immediately enrolled in a course in Philadelphia to learn how to help our little boy further. By the time Gryffin was 3 years old, he was exceptional. His health was amazing, having had no illnesses of any kind other than a couple of nasty colds since birth. He was running, talking and had no behavioural, mobility, hearing or vision issues. Gryffin had been able to recognize words since 18 months and was enormous fun to be around!
It was around this time that I published Naturally Better and shared our story with the world.
UPDATE – AUGUST 2019
At 12, Gryffin’s progress has continued and he is a strong, fit, healthy young man with a very exciting future!
In March 2018, Gryffin was cast in the Australian feature film – Ride Like Girl, in the role of young Stevie Payne – a man with Down syndrome who is a professional strapper, and who helped his sister Michelle Payne to become the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.
Gryffin’s first acting role has given him opportunities beyond anything we ever expected, and he is thriving! You can watch Gryffin’s speech at a screening of this inspiring movie here, and you can also now follow him on Facebook too, where he speaks entirely for himself!
