Refusing to Accept "Just Autism": Inflammation, Root Causes, and the Power of Functional Medicine
On this episode of Curated Beauty we’re talking about something that’s deep and personal for me. My son Daniel, my first child, has shaped a lot of who I am. He is definitely a significant part of what led me on the path to functional medicine not just as a provider, but as a mother.
When I was pregnant with Daniel, he was in breech position. For the safety of my baby, I was recommended for a C-section. After birth, he was given injections for hepatitis C and vitamin K, as well as administered antibiotics in his eyes. At one month old, he was jaundiced and had skin issues. He was given an IV, antivirals, and antibiotics, but was eventually sent home with doctors saying he just had baby acne.
As much as I tried to avoid vaccinations, I found his medical professionals talking me into them every time. After his six-month vaccination, he developed a fever and screamed uncontrollably. While he didn’t experience a massive regression, looking back I see that after this moment he was never the same.
I eventually found someone who made me feel sane—a former OBGYN who went through a similar experience. Not only did he listen to me, but he also facilitated a ton of testing for neuroinflammation, parasites, gut dysbiosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. We also started working with a chiropractor who helped us too.
I remember the first night Daniel stopped banging his head to sleep, and I began to have hope again. It took a lot of fighting, but I was able to build an army around us who believed that healing was possible. This has become my “why” and my son’s story is no longer a tragedy—it’s a triumph.
