LETTER TO ANN LANDERS

U. S. NEWSPAPERS

Copenhagen , December l989

Dear Ann:

This is to warn you and your readers of a circumstance that often arises with fatally ill people who are liable to fall into what I'd call the "last-hope-syndrome".

I fell victim to this and would like to warn people of the extreme danger of certain categories of people operating under the title of "healers".

In most cases these people will start their negotiations with not "how sick is the patient?", but rather" how much money is the patient or the family willing to spend?".

It presents a very unfair question to a family which is forced to place a monetary value on a loved one. How can one live with the remorse and regret of not being able to cover every possible option to save a life?

And how is it possible that these so called healers can convince a family that their methods will exclusively guarantee the patients recovery?

It is actually quite easy. It is called desperation. When a family enters into the last stages of a patient's decline they also have had some"erosion" through the emotional and physical strain as constant caregivers.

This "erosion" prevents them from trusting their better instincts and entices them to place their trembling hands into those of strangers fully equipped with electronic flashing colour machines, magnetic building blocks, burning injectable fireworks, black tea enemas, etc

Needless to say we followed this false hope and 5 days after the treatment had began we were mourning the death of our loved one and our "healer" was running with several thousand dollars in his thirsty pocketbook. Without revealing the incredible details I will add that the results of this treatment were actually the opposite of what was promised. Not only was the treatment ineffective but it was shocking to find it to be psychologically and physically abusive.At the Hospital they were surprised of the situation in the which the patient arived to the Hospital, they took pictures of his naked body, and also called the Police Department. Took the healer away from this country with prohibition of returning, and worst, decided that at the patient’s dead an authopsy had to be made.

It is not my opinion that all the alternative or homeopathic methods are useless. Digitalis an important medication for the heart, was discovered by a monk experimenting with herbs. And I personally would try everything before taking an aspirin for a headache, but I will say to those who fall into the"last-hope-syndrome" to please beware of those operating as "healers" and even calling themselves doctors and never ignore our own initial instinct when negotiating with these people.

And my final word is to those who are making their life's fortunes by taking advantage of those who are in potentially desperate situations whether it be the patient or the family, it is you that must live with this when you try to put yourself to sleep at night and it is what is under your skin that will be judged in the end.

From a very sad and concerned family.

Mariluz Uribe de Holguin

1989