Patty Kupicha (52) follows the naturopathic approach to deal with Multiple Sclerosis.
"I've had Multiple Sclerosis since 1984 and was treated in the conventional way for about nine years. This involved taking steroids when I had relapses and once having to go into hospital for rest and recuperation because my body was so numb, I had difficulty walking.
The steroids healed the inflammation and after between two to three months, I returned to work.
In 1993, I retired from my job. Some time later, I started going to a yoga class in London for people who had multiple sclerosis. I found yoga was very empowering and it changed my approach to life.
I realised I could do more things with my body than I thought and felt more positive as a result. In 1995, I moved to Dublin. I joined a yoga class here with people with no disabilities which was more dynamic.
I also started looking for other approaches and had cranio-sacral and shiatsu therapies.
However, it was acupuncture which made the absolute difference for me. The feeling of muzziness and confusion in the head, cloudy thoughts, heaviness and numb legs all clicked off. It was like coming out of a mist.
The naturopath who gave me acupuncture also gave me dietary advice. I made fundamental changes to my diet, cutting out all foods which were likely to have mould on them so that meant no dairy, no meat, no dried fruits or fresh fruits which could have mould on their skins.
This basically was the Candida diet which I continue to follow to this day although I do eat lamb and chicken now because without it, I felt I was getting light headed.
I do yoga a couple of times a week and I have acupuncture about once a week although I probably only need it about once a month. Another thing which I feel really keeps me healthy is that I drink juice made from raw organic carrots, apple and fresh ginger every morning.
I also take fish oil and multivitamin and mineral supplements. I eat as much organic food as I can. I haven't had a relapse since 1995 and I haven't taken any medication since I started yoga.
I am weaker than I used to be but I still have great vitality. I am aware that I have a certain level of energy that I must not burn out but I keep well and look after my health very carefully."