My first exposures to homeopathy were driven by my need to help my son. Over the years, I have utilized the services of a local homeopath Hazel Gill, D.C.H., for several acute conditions such as tooth infection and pain management after dental procedures, management of allergies, treatment of eczema, to name a  few, but I have also benefited from homeopathic support for stress management, vaccine clearing and for support with coping at times of personal struggle.

As a result of my continued efforts to support my son’s autism symptoms, I was also fortunate to be able to attend presentations at autism conferences by homeopaths who are successfully treating children and adolescents on the autism spectrum using the Sequential Homeopathy approach. Additionally, as part of the larger international autism community, I was inspired to research and read books on the CEASE (Complete Elimination of the Autistic Spectrum Expression) approach by Dr. Tinus Smits and to have a conversation with Pierre Fontaine, RSHom, CCH, CEASE Certified, a Classical homeopath specializing in the treatment of children with autism in New York, USA.

I am especially interested in working with children, those with special needs, people with special difficult cases and supporting the mental and emotional suffering of people through homeopathy. I realize that the traditional medical establishment has abandoned many people whose conditions are not easily managed by just treating symptoms and I do not believe people should be left suffering without hope for peace and the possibility of better health and quality of life. This is not to say that I believe homeopathy can solve all of that, but I believe I can make a contribution to the journey towards better health for some of these individuals who also deserve a better quality of life.

While a student at secondary school and university, I covered a wide range of subjects spanning the sciences, arts, humanities, philosophical and religious studies. I believe that I have the capacity for the kind of cognitive complexity, critical thinking, analysis, flexibility and reflection required for this field.

All  in  all,  I  believe  that  the  confluence  of  my  life  experience, my intellectual background and my exposure to homeopathy thus far, have all converged to put me at this right point in my life to study homeopathy. As much as I have been brought here to this point of readiness at this time in my life, I realize that I am also at the beginning of a new journey in my self-­‐development. I am also cognizant of the fact that if favourably considered, I will become part of a new community, at an important time of questioning of the traditional medical approach and in the transformation of health management all over the world.

One of the biggest challenges I face is that in my country Barbados, there is still a preference for traditional medicine and some uncertainty about the contribution complementary medicine can make to better health and better quality of life. However, there are signs that that is changing. I have been fortunate to be at the front line of changing the paradigm for how autism is understood in Barbados, and to have facilitated a path to communication with traditional pediatricians about new ways to understand autism as a whole body disease and not a mental disorder, and therefore to prioritise attending to and treating the whole person. It is my hope that I can further that relationship towards a truly complementary practice with allopathic doctors and homeopathic practitioners working together, when necessary. That is at least my hope.