Dear Abbie, I just want to say thank God and you for this program. I graduated today from 12 oz. soup cans to 20 oz. water bottles in lieu of bells, and plan to continue adding weight I still have some spasms and some pain but they are greatly reduced and I've only been on the program a little less than 3 months. But I have a wonderful unexpected benefit. I had let ST rule my life and I had let my health run down, but now I feel good. We are frequently told to move outside our "comfort zone" so we can accomplish more. I was thinking about this on the way to work this morning and God reaffirmed this to me when I had the thought that "you can't walk on water unless you get out of the boat." Once again, thank you and Praise God. Keep doing the good work that you're doing. Lorraine

Abbie,..... By the way, I renewed my driver's license this week and in the new picture my neck was straight. That's the first picture in a long time with me looking forward. Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Susan

I wanted to tell you about my doctor's visit today. I had wanted to give the botox a chance to be gone from my system and then tell him about my progress. He has not been one that was particularly pro exercise... He is a Movement Disorder Specialist. Since I had been doing exercise on a regular basis since I was first diagnosed, I knew it made a difference in how I felt. So, I told him that it had been 5 months since my last injections and I didn't need them now as he could observe. So he asked about what I had been doing and I gave him a brief description of your program and what I had specifically been doing. He had never heard of your program and does have other ST patients. Anyway, I am pleased with my progress and so is he. Driving is getting a touch easier, I'm learning to get on the freeway without turning my head around and trusting my mirrors. At age 62 it isn't easy to change. Dede

After only one month on the program:
Abbie, I feel like a chump for not dropping you a call. I’m already at 90% and doing everything except jogging, if you can believe that! I continue to wake up stiff, but that seems to be improving. Thanks so much! Tom
Clinic Note: we don’t recommend jogging. It’s too aggravating for S.T.

Hi Abbie, I can’t believe how great I feel!!! I am sore but it is not pain. There is such a difference. My posture is improving, not just the ST posture but my whole posture. My body is looser, and I can move more freely as long as I remember to stretch throughout the day. I had no idea that I was as stiff as I was. No wonder I felt so old! I’m breathing better for the first time in years. Instead of shallow breathing I actually find myself breathing deeply. So far Im ding the exercise (went to 5 reps today), massage and traction. And of course the military brace position and sleeping on my back.Thanks Abbie. I have hope! Jan

Abbie, in March of 2005 I purchased your long-distance program. That was the best thing I could have ever done! I no longer have the constant pulling sensation that I always had. I rarely have any pain at all. I know I can hold my head straighter, because when I look in the mirror, my head no longer is slightly turned to the right anymore. I feel more in control of my body and my head no long pulls to one side becoming locked like it used to. Also, I can always do a few good stretches and then always feel better. I am forever grateful. Your ST friend, Bev

Abbie, I am making good progress. I can type with both hands, do chores, drive my RV, eat with both hands, etc. I do the exercises religiously - OH WHAT A RELIEF! When I get stressed or anxiety hits, I just find a place to lay down and stretch. I have not had any presccription meds, and I’m coming up on two years with NO BOTOX! My head stays straight now about 75-80% of the time. Your program works!! I really feel great! Take care and thanks for all you do to help others. love ya, Vic

From a client who began the program in 2002 and has been doing very well:
Dear Abbie, Just wanted to share some news. I fell over the dog 2 weeks ago and cut my knees and elbow. I was really shook up, but wasn’t far from home so got home and put ice on my neck. I rested for awhile and then did some of the exercises. I then had a massage using my machine. More rest and more exercises. I had another massage and went to bed praying for no ill effects. The next day, thank God, I was fine - no problems at all with my neck!!! I’m so glad to have the trouble shooting tips for they definitely worked! Feeing very well - my head is very staight and my neck and shoulders are in no pain. Thanks again. Nuala (from England)

Abbie, I wanted to let you know that during the time I was having trouble with my TMJ, I did several of your exercises for my neck and later, when I took a bite of something I noticed my mouth opened easily. I looked in the mirror and my mouth opened all the way!! You exercises helped my TMJ and I haven’t had any trouble since! The exercises feel so good to my neck and I love the neck stretch with the pillowcase. Thanks, Beverly

Dear Abbie, First, thank you very much for sending me the manual and video. I started the exercises on Tuesday, and a week has gone by and already I am noticing a great improvement Once again thank you so much in giving me hope! kind regards, Glenis (from Australia)

From one Long Distance client to another, in our Long Distance online Chat Group:
“Dear Ted, Congratulations! You are doing so well on the program and have surely figured out what works for you. It must be so gratifying to look back a few years and see how far you have come! One thing I have noticed over the past 2 years or so of communicating with the group is that we have all made great progress in two areas. One is finding out what works for us, and the other is a change of attitude from fear and despair to a sense of management of it and great hope for the recovery along with tolerance on the way. Just think where we would be had we done nothing all this time. Hope the new people give this some thought. Meanwhile keep up the good work and enjoy your life! Blessings, Lynda”

An email sent to the whole Long Distance Chat Group:
I wanted to give an update to everyone on my progress and hope that it gives someone some hope! This December 1st will be 6 months since I had my last Botox injection. What changes have taken place! I am free of pain, hold my head almost straight and feel great. Abbie’s exercises have helped as has reducing the amount of coffee, sugar and chocolate I eat. I have also quit a very stressful job. I constantly remind myself that it was only five months ago that I felt I could not live with my condition anymore. If anyone had told me that five months later I would feel almost normal again, I wold nave told them they were crazy! I sincerely feel that in another 6 months I will be recovered. So to everyone out there, have faith. Here’s one guy that’s proof that if you give your body a chance to heal - it will! Best wishes, James

Dear Abbie, I’m completely straight most of the time. It is SUCH an improvement!! I haven’t missed one day of stretches yet, and this is my fourth month into the programme. You were right about it becoming second nature - it’s like breathing - you know you can’t go without it. I’ll keep you posted. Lotsa Love, D’Vida, South Africa

Abbie, I have been very focused on my recovery program that began on August 11, 2003. I noticed some small results within a couple weeks of the kickoff. This was a huge encouragement to me and motivated me even more, if that was possible.
My neurologist was quite impressed with how well I was doing when I showed up for my shots on Nov. 11. I told her all about the program and how excited I was to be participating in it. I have now gone 45 weeks today since my last set of injections. It's a miracle!! My head is now almost aligned in a central position between my shoulders. I'm able to do things now that I had difficulty doing even on Botox and especially when it was wearing off. Then I would have to walk around holding my head up with my left hand wrapped over the top of my head. It was dreadful. Now I can walk without the contortions. I hope and pray for continuing improvement until I reach full recovery like you. Thank you for being such an inspiration to all of us. You have shown us what is possible. All the best, Anne

Abbie, thanks for all the updates. As of September NO BOTOX for one full year!!! I can hardly believe it! I am doing the exercises everyday, especially the hard military and smile chin tuck. It really feels good and helps me stay straight as long as I don’t let stress and anxiety get the best of me. I am still using both hands working on the computer, which I could not do before taking your home course. Thanks again and may God continue to bless you for blessing others. Vic. (Vic has been on the course 14 months).

After only one month on the program
"Thank you for your clinic program! My father is beginning to be able to talk where we can understand him. He can swallow better and he can hold his head up to look someone in the face for short periods of time. These are things he couldn't do or had difficulty doing just one month ago. Thank you again!" Lisa for her father Hart

Hi Abbie, I went to my ST doctor yesterday, and when I told him that I really didn’t have the pulling sensation anymore, just a slight head tremor, he said, “Well, what are you doing here?” Abbie, I know that your program works because I’m living proof! I still know I have ST, but not the constant pulling. I’m working on getting you an “after” photo to compare with my original. Thanks!! Beverly

Hi Abbie, I’m still doing quite well. On the 23rd of this month I will have gone one whole year without a Botox treatment. Regarding phasing out Botox, that is what I did. My plan was to start your program three weeks after a Botox treatment when the treatment took effect. The Botox helped me get off to a good start and I have been progressing nicely ever since, without additional Botox. My husband has retired so I now get three massages a day. Lucky me! I feel this has helped tremendously. I have a way to go but I feel so much better all over, mentally and physically. I hope all your long distance clients will hang in there, because there’s hope for us. Judy

Abbie, I am finishing my 5th month with NO BOTOX!!!!! At this stage, I feel I won't be needing Botox anymore! That alone is worth doing the exercises, and the majority of the time I am almost pain free, I can hold my head fully straight when not under stress or anxiety for hours at a time, and I can type using both hands at a very good speed, not holding my head. I forgot to mention that I am able to hold a conversation with someone for a long perriod of time (face to face) which is something I could not do before. I am able to make change at a 7-11 counter or anywhere which was a struggle for me. I can eat with both hands now too. Your program is working for me, and I appreciate your dedication to helping others. I would recommend to anyone with ST that doing your course first is a MUST DO!! It's not easy and it takes dedication, but it WORKS!! I will update you again in about 3 more months. Vic