CHRISTMAS 2000

Greetings, dear family and friends! We hope that the year 2000 has been kind to you. We have some good news to share with you. Marky has improved more in the last two months than he has in the last six years. This is mostly due to following the “DAN” protocol, (Defeat Autism Now), that Dr. Bernard Rimland, Dr. Jon Pangborn, Dr. Sidney Baker and their wonderful colleagues put together.

In both Chinese medicine and in Ayurvedic medicine, the sages told us that there were only two ways to heal, by correcting deficiencies and by removing toxicities. We are only in the correcting deficiencies part of the protocol, and Marky has improved so much already. Marky is calm, happy, focused, and more verbal, more social and has great eye- contact. We are going on to the detoxification part of the program in January. If you know of anyone dealing with Autism, tell them to fax or Email us, and we would be happy to share our information with them.

An excellent book to understand the basis for optimal health is “Detoxification and Healing”, by Dr. Sidney Baker; published by Keats Publishing,(ISBN 0-87983-709-8) Despite its title, it is an easy-to-read, enjoyable book. I highly recommend everyone reading it! If you are interested in growing old with clarity, energy and mobility, this book is a must.

Natasha is now 10 years old (Marky is 8) and doing extremely well. We are so glad that we transferred back to San Domenico because she is so very happy there! It’s amazing how important the fit is, in any situation! Natasha is in choir, tennis and has resumed her piano lessons. Although she is not yet a teenager, she is beginning to have an “attitude” already – “Mom, you aren’t going to wear that, are you?”; “Mom, don’t embarrass me!” Oh well, at least she doesn’t like boys, yet!!!

Christo is so very happy with his new clinic, Zouves Fertility Center. Christo just loves working with his patients and he has a really great staff, as well. Our only complaint is that he has been working 7 days a week since October 1999 now! “We know that guy, he is the one who pays the bills around here, right?” Our going out to dinner twice a week, keeps the marriage together. Those are the only times we really get to talk, to plan, to discuss, to share ideas and dreams. Christo’s claim to exercise is playing squash, once a week!

My main obsession right now is helping Marky and other autistic kids. I live, breathe and dream autism! (A little obsessive, you say?). Meditation, exercise and reading are still huge parts of my life.

Lately, there is one author I am particularly inspired by. The author’s name is Tomihiro Hoshino. He had a tragic gymnastics accident at age 24 and became paralyzed from his neck down. Two years later, he learned to paint and write, using his mouth. Two years after that, he came to know God. I want to share, with you, a couple of his poems to God.

In the Palms of Your Hands

“Whether I stand or fall, I am in the palms of Your hands”.

Things Unexpected

You were not the one I had imagined. You didn’t come where I had expected. You didn’t do the things for me that I had asked for. But You did the things, many times, that I had hoped for.

I highly recommend his book, “In the Palms of Your Hands”, by Kaisei-sha Publishing ISBN (4-03-019070-7). It is available in Japanese bookstores or e-mail: [email protected]. This book is full of wonderful watercolor paintings, essays and poetry.

Well, dear friends and family, so concludes this epic. One further idea to share, Christo and I have lost weight using a modified Atkins’ diet (somewhat following the book, “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution”). We basically eat a healthy diet with lots of fish, chicken and vegetables, minus the carbohydrates. We do not do heavy fats or cholesterol. We are both now at our pre-marriage weight!!! (awesome!) So, this is something to think about if you need to lose weight. I guess we like it because this is one diet that one can stay on indefinitely, whereas, with the other diets, you have to go off them sooner or later.

Again, we wish you lots of love and happiness. Please do drop us a line to say “hello”, You are in our hearts. Thank you for all your prayers for Marky and please continue praying for him. “May God bless you and keep you and cause his face to shine upon you”.

Much, much love, Christo, Miriam, Natasha & Marky

P.S. Zouves Family 528 Biscayne Dr. San Rafael, CA 94901 Ph: (415) 459-4563 Fax: (415) 459-2293 e-mail: [email protected]