Hi Guys,

I am Matthew Kaczm…(or just ‘K’) and I am graduate BEng Environmental Engineer having just had the time of my life this past year most evidently partaking in the Big Allotment Challenge, but also managing to be part of the UKIERI Study India program and fundraise for the Prince’s Trust as part of the RBS Indian Summer program.

BBC Big Allotment Challenge Profile: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/2TSXGypXN5XDRr32slR9SvZ/matt

Future passions: http://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/news/11726556.Meet_the_youngest_ever_contestant_on_TV_s_Big_Allotment_Challenge__from_Northfields__determined_to_make_gardening_cool/

However stuff isn’t always so sweet! I have this cancer of sorts, a weakness that is clinically called Crohn's disease. Basically a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the back passage; and it comes with a host symptoms; PAIN, DIARHOE/CONSTIPATON (not so glamorous I know), WEIGHT LOSS, WEAKNESS, SEVERE ANEAMIA…… that together have the potential to kill if not managed effectively. Yes kill! This article can give a bit more of an insight to the potential of crohn’s:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2975/For-13-years-I-watched-brother-dying-I-realised-turn.html

So makes sense the fact I can be really squeamish around certain foods as many people with crohn’s have certain foods that act as triggers to the inflammation.

For myself, my last really bad flare (when the disease becomes really bad as my disease has its ups and downs) was post A-levels. I finally let go of my hard lined discipline and went to celebrate my supposed coming of age; looking back getting drunk and lying in the gutter in a Greek resort just proved it quite unanimously that in fact there was a lot of growing up left in me LOL! So that was the 1^st and last time I drank! So incase anyone wants me to casually sip on some ethanol based drink there you go.. But basically I came home to experience the WORST INTESTINAL PAIN EVER! I had came back to the UK for fresher’s to what was meant to be the best few months of my life, but I could literally barely stand straight for the pain in my guts was tying me in half pulling me into a shape more resembling an eighty year old rather than a young man that should of instead been in his prime. This pain cast a shadow for some 6 months post this binge, were I was so anemic I couldn’t manage a day without an extended and well the pain had to start to take really strong painkillers to dampen that, as the pain would prevent me from falling asleep! Man that weren’t good! I haven’t mentioned the medication I was on, Humira (biologic- used by people who has organ transplants, side effects being a host of cancers..etc..) Corticosteroids.. (Just kills you slowly too, bone wastage, mood swings, hormonal imbalances).. iron infusions.. What a tuff time especially studying engineering LOL well let just say my mum is very supportive (MORE LIKE A FLORANCE NIGHTING GALE) she’s made me cope when it’s been bad very well. Wouldn’t have done what I have without her XXX

BASICALLY I ended getting of medication not being able to cope with the side effects that basically encompassed me feeling like crap all the time (WELL ITS HARD TO YIPPEE BEING ON ANTIBIOTICS FOR 3 MONTHS STRAIGHT DUE TO ALL THE INFECTIONS ONE IS CATHCING).

In other words I realized that diet is key in my disease! Bit of hard work but anything to not have to go through what I had just had again! But then I further realized an overall HOLISITC LIFESTYLE is even more important which has made stirred me to India and back, trying yoga medication, prayer as well as simple but mostly overlooked details such as not over eating and eventually differing forms of fasting. 

I decided to heal my guts for once and for all. Despite leading a highly exclusive diet 90% of the time throughout the year my scared guts won’t heal unless I give them a brake from food. Just think about it, if you a CUT on your skin and you rub that graze everyday then would you expect it to heal??!!? Thought so! So why wouldn’t the same apply do your insides… SO basically an extended brake should allow for complete healing of some long persisting wounds, which have resulted in long-standing anemia despite being symptom free of pain for some time.

I have tried fasting once a week previously for some time, which saw great results, in terms of blood results, crohns symptoms, mood, ability to deal with stress… which persuaded me to try longer fasts e.g. 1.5, 2, 3 days to even a 7 day water fast teaching me about this practice of healing the more I experienced it. This was on the back of reading how an individual (fellow methodically minded engineer) cured his crohn’s using fasting a year or so earlier: http://mech.fsv.cvut.cz/~smilauer/Crohn_Smilauer_fasting_en.pdf

And after trying small fasts for myself I took to go for the full course!! After all the famous Greek physician Hippocrates (ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC) quotes:

Fasting is the greatest remedy ­ the physician within.
Treat the cause of an illness, not the symptom.

This full course was originally based the Breuss’ fasting regime used to treat cancer successfully however I have slightly modified the juice he prescribes as I am not sure the full veggie that included beetroot agrees with me. SO THE PLAN is to a 42 day veggie/tea/water fast (6 weeks) where I drink no more about 330 ml of veggie juice a day. Giving my guts time to HEAL and hopefully cure me once and for all as in the PDF above.

But never the less I have actually started the fast already and did so midway through December so am approaching my final week. However due to feeling so energetic which is surprising to my close friends I might just do a 7^th but to make sure I make the most of the maximum window of opportunity for healing of my guts after years of scarring. So as I am approaching the end and having been consuming some 80 calories a day for over a month now I am really looking to make the most of this to help others in TUFF SITUATIONS. My fast will off course raise awareness for crohns, which I AM REALLY THANKFUL for and which is really important. But I more importantly want to raise money for THRIVE UK. Thrive UK use GARDENING to bring about positive change in lives of people who are living with disabilities or ill health, or are isolated, disadvantaged or vulnerable.

http://www.thrive.org.uk

 Thrive uses natural therapies to make PEOPLES LIVES BETTER, this is something I can testify works having had my own allotment for 10 years I know how beneficial it can be considering the amount of stress it has relieved for me and the great memories I have had. There is not need to poison people instead gardening can allow peoples lives to become enriched.

Cool articles explaining this:

http://rebeccasmithgardens.co.uk/mental-health/the-benefits

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/9084308/Gardening-therapy-helps-children-grow.html

SO PLEASE HELP and donate to a good cause! Help with raising awareness for:

·       Crohns disease.

·       Natural treatments; FASTING, ELIMINATING ILL HEALTH PROMOTING FOODS, GARDENING.

·       Anything being possible despite what medical institutions might say.

·       Reducing unnecessary pain and suffering in the world.

·       Teaching new people to take up gardening, great for their wellbeing & our environment.

My update: 33 days into my fast as I write this I am surprised to say I have already had blood results which after 2 weeks show scientifically I have shown major improvements already in my disease prognosis (albumin from 26 to 40 from very bad to completely normal) Energy levels have been great and I am for sure much sharper and alert than usual. Basically everything you would expect to go wrong isn’t. I am FEELING GREAT! So looking to hit 7 weeks I have 15 days left. Yes I have lost weight but once I start to slowly start eating my healthier body will soon reach its optimal weight, yes optimal (this wasn’t a crazy way for me to try and loose weight).

ANY SUPPORT WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (EVERY PENNY COUNTS)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out my videos documenting my fast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huw5UOGb3Hc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8VX9jzTfVQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk2P_B0z6lM

MANY THANKS!!

LOTS OF LOVE

MATT.K

XXX

Crohns is Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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