My Journey.

My essential oil journey began with my youngest son, Payton. At 19 weeks gestation, I suffered a pulmonary embolism. I could have died. He could have died. I wouldn’t change the path we chose because we both survived, and he truly is a gift, but I believe the medical interventions that were used to save my life caused physical damage to him. 

Payton was a quiet, sweet tiny baby. He was significantly smaller than my other boys by more than 4lbs, but he was a beam of sunshine. He smiled often and was a very happy baby. Around the age of 2, something changed. It was like his brain lit up and wouldn’t shut off…and the struggle began.

At the age of 3, Payton was diagnosed with severe ADHD and sensory issues. He was unmanageable, impulsive and dangerous. We would attempt to climb out the window to sit on the roof to look at the moon, he would cut up his bedsheets and jump and climb on everything! He was tiny and quick and oftentimes would disappear in public so fast that I had to leash him for his own safety. He was kicked out of preschool at age 3 because he was uncontrollable. My sweet little boy was struggling. I was struggling. In 2006 ADHD wasn’t well understood and the "natural" options available weren’t much help. It was an exhausting and desperate time for all of us.

At 4 years old, we decided to accept the medications the doctors were suggesting. We struggled with this decision, but he literally couldn’t function or learn so we did what was recommended. In the short term the medications worked until his body adapted and we’d have to increase the dose. We rode the medication cycle for 6 years. At the age of 10, my little guy was taking 8 pills a day. He was severely underweight, only 42lbs and wearing a size 4T. He experienced anger and emotional outbursts. He couldn’t sleep, oftentimes staying up for 1-2 days at a time. He had massive digestive issues and headaches. Then, when he was 10 years old, he began having hallucinations.

Everything else was scary and exhausting but hallucinations were a whole new level. We immediately took him in for brain scans. Thankfully the scans showed no brain issues that they could see. Unfortunately, that meant there was no answer other than psychosis. The doctors recommended anti-psychotic medications on top of the other 8 pills he was already taking and that’s when I was done. I had recently graduated as a certified holistic health coach and I was confident there was a better way to help him. We walked out of the doctor's office and never looked back.

I immediately began a gentle detox on him. We supported his body with nutrition and supplements. The first three days of detox were the most difficult. He did not sleep for three nights straight. He would bang his head against the wall and scream “I hate my brain, I hate my brain”.  It was gut-wrenching.

You get pretty desperate after 3 nights without sleep and when a local mom offered some dōTERRA essential oils for Payton, I took her up on the offer. I knew nothing about essential oils. I tried some on him that I bought from the local health food store but they didn’t really work. But at this point, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I put them on Payton’s body and he was asleep within 30 minutes. I was in shock. I applied the oils again the next day and sent him to school. Three different school administrators called me to ask what I did differently because Payton was a totally different child on that fourth day.

I was amazed and intrigued! What are these oils? How do they work? Why would these work when nothing else did? For the first time in a long time, I had hope! Then I was hit with anger! After 6 years and numerous doctors no one had ever mentioned essential oils as an option. My anger quickly turned into passion to help other kids and moms who struggle with similar issues. 

Payton is now a thriving 17 year old teen. He was accurately diagnosed with autism at 13 years old. He doesn’t take prescription medication and we manage everything naturally. We use nutrition, oils and supplements to provide support for his body, mind, and emotions. He’s an amazing human who has been through a lot. I am grateful every day that someone cared enough to share the power of dōTERRA essential oils.

This is why I do what I do. I empower others to take control of their health using nutrition and natural options to manage their physical and mental health. If what you’re doing isn’t working, let’s connect. I’d love to provide you with hope and healing on your journey.