Dr Luthon64’s brother was diagnosed several years ago with an incurable hereditary muscle-wasting disease, and has been largely confined to a wheelchair for the past six years. Genetic tests were undertaken by three independent authorities to confirm the diagnosis but in each case the expected genetic deletion was not observed. It was explained that this anomaly is actually quite common, appearing in about 30 per cent of cases.
About two years ago, a different approach suggested that the original diagnosis was in fact erroneous, and that the cause was a metabolic disorder that prevented certain proteins and essential amino acids from being effectively delivered to where they were needed.
A tailor-made cocktail of these nutrients was prescribed together with a regimen of exercises, and improvements in muscle mass and strength were soon evident, although progress has been slower than anticipated, indicating that the proper agent(s) behind the metabolic blockages remain(s) unknown. New tests designed to eliminate suspects continue to be made.
None of the diagnostic protocols and methodologies involved anything other than well-grounded empirical science and good sense.
Sadly, Dr Luthon64’s brother has a strong proclivity for all things woo: chakras, TM, crystals, the kabbalah / kabbala / kabala / cabala / qabala / qabalah (anything with six possible spellings, red string and a Madonna merits a considerable deal of caution), astrology, reiki and so on. He excuses this on the basis of “having been in a dark place” at the time the wheelchair became essential, but he will not relinquish these guff notions.
His writings reflect his attachment to such humbug, which, really, provides only easy glibness, slick trickery and ready vacuity posing as meaningful answers. He writes of “divine hands intervening” and “exploring transcendent paths” and such, but refuses to accept that anything worth pursuing usually involves much intense effort - certainly much more than the woo-artist’s usual fee.
But by far the worst of it is simply this: the help, involvement, indulgence and efforts of close family members falls through the woo cracks in his head without touching sides. Instead of acknowledging and appreciating these endeavours by others, he’d rather sing high praises of things that have done less than nothing materially to ease his predicament, and thereby trivialise others’ contributions to his improving state of health.
And that is something I can neither abide nor fathom.
'Luthon64