The John Pepper controversy and Chapter Two in the Brain's Way of Healing by Norman Doidge

[Joanne_Joyce]

I just finished reading this chapter and am appealing to everyone on this forum to read it! We have so much to learn about PD, exercise and about how our brain works and we have so much to gain from this knowlege.

[BillDavid]

Joanne, I concur, Chapter Two has much to teach. The thing I feel is stunning about Norman 's book, is the many different ways the brain heals. Invite you to jump ahead to Chapter Seven and discover the PoNS.

BillDavid

[Joanne_Joyce in reply to BillDavid]

Thanks BillDavid. I agree. In fact I bought the book because of Chapter Seven and only discovered Chapter Two a few days ago. It is all very encouraging.

[House2 in reply to BillDavid]

PONS TX youtu.be/TWZyujiIVKg(Not working as expected?)

[Madzy]

Everything in the Book from Norman Doidge seemes to point into the direction that discipline and dedication in exercise is essential.

[Joanne_Joyce in reply to Madzy]

Madzy, I agree. We can't afford to be passive.

[metacognito]

RE your 'appeal' (and the notion of exercising to ameliorate PD symptoms as a revolutionary concept)

Amazon Review:

"As is typical of books on medical ‘miracles’, Doidge makes tremendous leaps of blind faith over gaping chasms of discrepancy in order to bolster his case for his book’s otherwise valid premise regarding the potential presented by the brain’s neuroplasticity. By first accepting fantastical claims made by certain individuals e.g. those of the ‘Reverse Parkinson’s Disease’ author John Pepper who claims to have 'walked his disease away' (claims widely rejected by the associates and medical professionals who knew him best), then going on to present those claims as confirmation of his book's theme, he succeeds only in insulting the reader’s intelligence.

"If it were I, and my upcoming book's release date didn’t allow enough time to consult directly with the doctors and/or medical specialists most intimately familiar with a given subject (as in the case of John Pepper), I'd have at least grabbed a copy of Pepper's own brashly-titled book 'Reverse Parkinson's Disease', flipped open the cover, and then made my decision on whether he’d make a credible subject for my own book, or not, based on how many endorsements by established/credentialed medical professionals I found therein. ZERO endorsements from ANYONE in the field?!? REJECT!"

[Joanne_Joyce in reply to metacognito]

It doesn't appear to me that whoever wrote that review actually read it.

[metacognito in reply to Joanne_Joyce]

Doesn’t “appear [the reviewer] actually read it”?

Or… perhaps they actually DID read it, are gifted with a modicum of healthy skepticism, and know better than some when and where to apply that skepticism.

If the lack of a single qualified medical endorsement on Pepper’s ‘Reverse Parkinson's Disease’ book and its content failed to prompt a pause for thought in you, your ‘healthy skepticism' gauge may be due for a servicing.

Maybe you’re unaware of the fact (not disputed by John Pepper himself) that his own doctors doubt his self-diagnosis of “Parkinson’s” vs the non-progressive, less malevolent Essential Tremor. Maybe you’re unaware of the difference between the two. Maybe you're unaware that his tremors have NOT "reversed". Maybe you don't care.

Or, maybe you automatically allow an abundance of wishful thinking to dictate what you believe. Maybe wishful thinking has convinced you that someone REALLY has managed to “Reverse Parkinson’s Disease” simply because they wrote a book about it (a book not endorsed by actual experts in the field),

Or, maybe Doidge’s inclusion of Pepper and his spectacular tale in a later book on neurogenesis and it’s own collection of 'miraculous' case studies has convinced you of the ‘miracle’ of John Pepper’s purported 'PD reversal'.

...on the other hand, maybe the reviewer actually DIDN’T bother to read Doidge’s book. Maybe they read the ‘book description’ summary and chose instead to read about REAL cures and therapies for regular, less extraordinary people.

[999---666 in reply to Joanne_Joyce]

a "professional"?

[Cbauer in reply to metacognito]

Thank you for your consistently intelligent postings. I appreciate the breadth and depth of your knowledge. You continue to reaffirm my own thoughts resulting from many years of inquiry and study of this complex disease. I imagine that we will continue adding to and expanding this knowledge as we continue to be open to newly discovered information. I do wish we could view it from a more removed position rather than personally experiencing it, but I suppose our interest might be less compelling without living with Parkinsons.

[Joanne_Joyce in reply to Cbauer]

Yes, it is fascinating to learn more about PD and in a sense that is a small compensation for having to live with it.

[Autumn56 in reply to metacognito]

There are very many things "established/credentialed medical professionals" will not endorse. Many things like DMSO for cancer treatment or bitter apricot kernels and a whole multitude of other very effective alternative substances that have saved many lives. They would lose their medical License. Do the research.

[PDConscience in reply to Autumn56]

"Do the research" is the standard refrain for the gullible fringe unable or unwilling to do any on their own. I've done mine. You, clearly, have not. If you have any credible evidence of DMSO curing cancer (or of a credible case of Parkinson's "reversal") present it for the benefit of all. Otherwise, get back to building your underground bunker for the imminent alien invasion.

[Joanne_Joyce]

I think it might be helpful for skeptics to look up Norman Doidge's credentials:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Norman Doidge

Born Toronto, Ontario

Occupation Physician, Psychiatrist, Writer

Nationality Canadian

Citizenship Canada

Alma mater University of Toronto

Website

normandoidge.com

Norman Doidge, FRCP(C), is a Canadian-born psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and author of The Brain That Changes Itself (2007) and The Brain's Way of Healing (2015). The Brain That Changes Itself describes some of the latest developments in neuroscience, and became a New York Times and international bestseller.

[metacognito]

Unfortunately, there's still no cure for gullibility or for the willfully dim. The J. Pepper formula to 'reverse PD' is clearly the ideal solution for people like yourself. I anxiously await report of your own condition's 'reversal' to be released in book form in months ahead - cheers.

[Rachelgardiner]

Hi Joanne, it has been 7 years since this posting was made regarding John Pepper's claim of reversal of his PD and I am wondering if you tried his method?

[Joanne_Joyce in reply to Rachelgardiner]

Unfortunately I fell and broke my hip. So fast walking is ruled out.

[Rachelgardiner]

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear this Joanne. Hope that it has healed up well.