Iowa City’s Dr. Terry Wahls will discuss and read from her new book, The Wahls Protocol: How I Beat Progressive M.S. Using Paleo Principles and Functional Medicine, at the Iowa City Public Library this Saturday at 2 p.m.
In 2000, Dr. Wahls was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. By 2003, she had transitioned to Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, underwent chemotherapy, and became wheelchair-dependent.
Using her medical knowledge, and her determination to overcome her declining health, Dr. Wahls was able to reverse her symptoms. Her book tells her story of how she did it, by adopting a strict, Paleolithic Hunter-Gatherer diet in addition to electrical neuromuscular stimulation. She shares the details of her protocol to help others suffering from multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions.
By 2008, she was able to walk through the hospital without a cane and even complete an 18-mile bicycle tour. With her restored health, she is now symptom-free and bikes five miles to work every day. She lives happily in Iowa City with her wife Jackie, daughter Zebby, and son Zach, who some may recognize for his moving testimony at the Iowa State House opposing the banning of gay marriage, which went viral in February 2011.
She has lived most of her life in Iowa, where she earned her undergraduate degree at Drake University, graduate degree at Iowa State University and doctorate at the University of Iowa. In 2000, the same year as her initial diagnosis, she became the Associate Chief of Staff for Ambulatory Care at the Veterans Administration Iowa City Medical Center and Associate Professor of Medicine in the College of Medicine at the University of Iowa.
She is also the author of Minding My Mitochondria, and the audio book Up From the Chair. A portion of all her proceeds are used to fund further research on these topics.
Doors will open at 1 p.m. The reading and discussion are slated for meeting rooms A, B and C (connected), though seating is limited, so be sure to come early. This event is co-sponsored by Prairie Lights and Penguin/Avery Publishers.
