Joy Quick’s Inspiring OHI Guest Journey!

Joy Quick was faced with an ongoing health opportunity. She has had five different diagnoses in the past year but prefers to name her condition an imbalance in her body. She went through five rounds of chemo but found her belly swelling with fluid again. The oncologist suggested more chemo, but Joy said no. “I became more determined than ever to heal myself with natural alternative methods, and went to an acupuncturist,” said Joy. “When I told him what was happening in my body, he immediately suggested a trip to OHI. I wasn’t sure how a holistic health and wellness center would be able to address my health issues, but I was clearly my next step. My husband was 100% supportive, so I immediately made my reservation.”

Joy found it easy to acclimate to the OHI diet. “Guests are encouraged to participate in a raw juice fast from Tuesday breakfast through Thursday lunch, with solid raw food on Thursday night through the following Monday. I chose the juice option made with all green veggies, and easily drank two glasses at each meal. I also learned about the healing properties of wheatgrass juice in the food classes. In an effort to heal myself with natural methods, I had already been following a plant-based diet for over a year with no sugar, no dairy, no wheat, and no yeast, so the diet at OHI was nothing radical for me. I found the food to be delicious.”

Joy knew what to expect from OHI’s cleansing diet, but she was surprised by the insights the classes offered. The classes, staff, and guests were the lifeline she was hoping for. “How amazing to find a place of healing where everyone shared my beliefs and values about healing and wellness,” said Joy. “I had great conversations with staff members and other guests. We were candid and vulnerable with each other, and I immediately felt a bond. You could feel the love and support offered by everyone.

In the Mental Detox class, the teacher used the phrase, ‘We are the guardians for ourselves.’ Wow! I suddenly realized that I have not been a very good guardian. As a Marriage & Family Therapist, I have looked outside of myself to nurture and help others, but my personal boundaries were poor. I thought I had broken my habit of co-dependency, but since retiring and not working with clients, I discovered I haven’t always done what I wanted or needed in the name of compromise. What an eye-opener! I began to think that maybe the swelling in my belly was where I had stuffed old toxic emotions — anger, sadness, grief, and fear. I turned my attention inside and went into light meditation. I slowly recognized the origin of my fear in this lifetime was my early childhood. I remembered my mom had told me that I was almost 1-year-old when they ‘broke my spirit.’ It dawned on me that I have carried intergenerational family dysfunctional patterns and trauma for most of my life. I did not feel safe during my childhood to express these emotions and avoided any acknowledgement for years. Somewhere along the way in my life I had stopped crying, but suddenly tears started falling. I have done so much work on myself to be a better person, forgive my parents, and live a happier life. I thought my childhood wound was ‘I’m not good enough.’ Instead, this self-reflection showed me that the true root of my childhood trauma was ‘I don’t matter.’ More tears fell and I sobbed. I finally let go.”

Joy’s first experience at OHI has strengthened her priorities. “I had high hopes that I would benefit from being at OHI, but didn’t know if, how, or when a change might happen,” said Joy.

“OHI helped me feel safe, supported, and encouraged. A simple act of kindness from another guest opened the door to my transformation. I realize that I am the guardian of my sacred self, and I now love myself more than ever. Breaking old pattens has become part of my process.”

“Now everything looks like a blessing!” said Joy. “It feels like the universe has opened up to support me. I have let go of so much, and my resolve to trust myself is stronger than ever. Through my time at OHI, I have learned to stay completely in the present, and I trust I will be shown the way forward, one step at a time. This is the miracle I had hoped for. My body says this phase of my health opportunity is now complete. I matter! I am content and blessed, nurtured and fulfilled, safe and at peace. I am on my way to be fully healed, energized, and ready for the next step in life. Thank you, OHI!”

To learn more about the OHI for Life Body-Mind-Spirit Program, call (800) 588-0809.