Patient Feedback

As the Center approaches its second year, we decided to introduce a representative sample of letters from parents whose children have benefited from our clinic. We hope these letters will give you a better idea of how our Integrative Approach improves the health of children and teens with significant health concerns.

The following are excerpts from letters of parents whose children were diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions: Abdominal Pain; ADHD; Allergies; Asthma; Autism; Behavioral problems; Chronic Pain; Chronic Sinus Infections; Depression; Spina Bifida; Tourette's syndrome.

"When you finally had the opportunity to evaluate this child, you successfully removed her from all the medication, both stimulants and depressants, she was taking. I was overjoyed. It made my month. Your approach to treating these kids has made an immense difference.

Thank you so much."

"Benefiting from your incredible insights has been a turning point in our son's life. Your tremendous care and insight have sent our son on the road to healing.... Who would have thought a year ago that he would be very social, maintain friendships, be funny and outgoing, and can be mainstreamed in school?

From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for all your help."

"The changes in my son's health are nothing short of a miracle. My son was always a sick kid, suffering from various allergies and always seemed to have colds and upset stomachs. Upon my son's first visit, and just by looking at my son's color and eyes, Dr Newmark suggested that we eliminate dairy from my son's diet for two weeks and then bring him back. Wow, within 5 days I could see the changes, all for the better. In determining which foods my son is to avoid and by putting him on a rotation diet along with vitamin supplements, I have a happier, healthier, more alert and energetic son who no longer needs his inhaler and Zyrtek on a daily basis. My son is hardly ever sick.

We thank you Dr Newmark, a true healer."

"You seem to be the only doctor that takes the time to touch base with us and see how our son is doing. You take an interest in your patients and that makes you a great Doctor!"

"I wish to express how impressed and grateful that I am that you have still stayed in touch & are so willing to still help us. All in all, I'd say that she is so much better.

Thank you again!"

"Hi doc! I wanted to say hello and fill you in on the outstanding and exciting progress our child (a teenager) has made this summer. His night pain has bothered him MUCH less since you began working with him. He listens to the self hypnosis tapes you made often and dad and I have both noticed that he is sleeping better. You have NO IDEA how long and hard we have fought this and how much he suffered since he was a baby from chronic lack of sleep and the draining frustration from chronic pain. For the first time in his life, he feels he has some power and control over his pain and now has a way to participate in reducing it. THANK YOU!!! This has given him such a giant gift of confidence and self love.

He has become MUCH MORE relaxed and confident in the water. He actually enjoys swimming and even looks forward to his lessons. A NEW KID! He had SOOOO much anxiety about swimming and felt so vulnerable and afraid that he dreaded his swim lessons. He tells me that his tape of the session when you worked on water anxiety has helped him completely. He is SOOO proud of himself and knows that HE did this work. This has a huge impact on how he feels about all of his personal potential and his hopes and dreams.

You have helped him find new strength and light within himself, and he is starting to believe in it, and blossom in it!

Thank You."

I am very grateful for all the time and attention you gave to my daughter and I. I am a strong advocate of the integrative approach to healthcare...for us it's the only way. I get frustrated with friends, family and other professionals immersed in the traditional allopathic model exclusively, who won't consider their options. Your consultation was like a breath of fresh air, and your quiet, kind manner made both my daughter and I feel comfortable and comforted!

"My husband and I came in to see you in anticipation of telling our son he has chronic motor tics. You were extremely patient with us and put the whole thing in perspective for our family. His tics are very minimal right now and we are giving him he supplements you recommended.

Thank you for helping our family."

"Dr. Newmark, you are a man of great integrity and compassion. We will continue to let others know that there are doctors paving the way for a more effective form of treatment (mind/body/spirit)."

"First of all, I am writing to Mothers and Fathers out there who don't know what to do with their child who is acting wild, defiant, crazy and out of control. Your household may be in chaos 85% of the time and you fall into bed at the end of the day exhausted and depressed, with no relief in site. This scenario described our lives with our 3 year old son we adopted as a baby and diagnosed with FAE/FAS at 2 years of age. I am a pediatric RN and thought I could handle anything. What a shock! No traditional methods of discipline phased this child and left my husband and I frustrated and exhausted at the end of the day. Sometimes, we feared for our 4 year old daughter's safety. Sadly, we questioned our decision to adopt this little boy. We searched for help going to numerous traditional pediatricians and even a Psychiatrist. We tried various medications and experienced adverse reactions to most of them. Some of those adverse reactions were harder to deal with than his regular chaotic behaviors. Our son Kyle was also sick a lot. Numerous ear infections, flu, and fevers sent us to the ER at midnight more than a few times during his short 3 years of life.

Finally, one social worked casually mentioned the Feingold Diet (www.feingold.org), she had heard of it used for hyperactive children. I researched the diet on the internet and we started the next day. It eliminates all artificial coloring, flavoring and specific preservatives from the diet. We saw immediate improvement in Kyle's activity level and noticed we were needing to discipline him less.  At the same time, we learned through an article in the Tucson newspaper about a Pediatrician of Alternative medicine who uses diet and other non-drug alternatives to treat children with Autism, ADHD and other various disorders. I called Dr. Sandy Newmark and made an appointment. He started Kyle on the elimination diet for 10 days which restricts most foods and then gradually adds them back, one at a time, monitoring the child's behavior to determine which foods are a problem for the child.  Within 3 days my husband and I observed Kyle sitting quietly at the table doing an art project with his sister. We were shocked and didn't want to make a big deal of it, fearing it was too good to be true. This was in March of 2005, exactly one year ago. Kyle is now manageable and even enjoyable in our household, as long as he stays strictly to his diet. For Kyle, we follow a modified Feingold diet. In addition to no artificial dyes, flavors or preservative, he is on a gluten free/dairy free diet which has helped numerous children with Autism. This combination seems to help Kyle the most. He is functioning well in a regular pre-K class at our local school in TUSD. In addition, Kyle has had only one cold in the past year. We have not been to the doctor for an illness one single time in 12 months!! He is now 41/2 years old.  Our household still has challenging days and Kyle still has FAE/FAS but, our household is no longer in frequent chaos and we are finally enjoying family life!!

The truth is, the behavior your child demonstrates is beyond his/her control. Most mothers do realize this, especially if their child has a diagnosis of ADHD, FAE/FAS, AUTISM, or other related syndrome. But having  a diagnosis and knowing how to live with it, are two totally different things. Changing your childıs diet may be the key to success for your child and your family. Your child may still need medication in addition to the new diet and you will learn what works best for your individual family. Thank you for letting us share our story with you. If you have questions feel free to call or email me at 520-398-4337 or K.Kersher@cox.net. Best of luck and may God Bless all of your efforts to be an awesome parent!

Written by Karen Kershner 3-3-06