Patient Testimonials

My wife Pattie has secondary progressive MS and the past year has been a sudden and very rapid decline. Her speech was almost gone and she was in a constant "fog" - getting more and more confused almost visibly each day. She was in a power wheelchair, and while she used to be able to walk 30 feet or so, she became unable to go more than a few feet before her legs gave out. When we heard about the treatment in India, we both thought it was too far away... India was never on our "to do" list. We were also afraid that we would arrive at the airport in India with nobody to pick us up, only to find that we were "scammed" after we had travelled half-way around the world. However, our decision was made in an act of "desperation" - I knew I was losing my wife and my best friend fast. Her quality of life was almost completely gone, and she had told me "I think I'm just about done with this". I knew exactly what she meant. We decided on India strictly because of the qualifications and track record of the treating physician, Dr. Kumar. We had only one shot at this, and we wanted to do it with the right doctor - no matter where he was.

With all of those fears, imagine the relief we felt when indeed a man with a green sign reading "Liberation Gateway" was waiting for us as we came through customs. The relief turned to ever-increasing happiness from that point forward. We were given flower necklaces as though we had arrived in Hawaii, and we were driven in a clean, new car straight to the hotel - that turned out to be more like a palace! The daily buffets were huge with menu items and 24-hour room service (nice for people who can't sleep nights.)

The next morning we were joined with the rest of our group and the bonding was instant. I cannot describe the benefits of sharing the encouragement and emotions with others in our situation. Those emotions went from fear (did she even have the CCSVI blockages?) to amazement and joy within 10 minutes of the procedure. Pattie's upper body strength was sudden and miraculous - and she could raise each foot straight up toward the ceiling, something she had not been able to do in years! Our group was struck with awe as they heard her happily describing what she was feeling, because we all noticed the immediate improvement in her speech before she did! Probably the most fun moment was when I was with a few of the guys in our group having a drink in the hotel lounge while Pattie was napping - two days after the procedure. She came walking into the lounge pushing her wheelchair as though it was a walker! I asked her about this, and she said it was too hard to push the wheels when sitting on the chair on carpet, but that was in the hallway on our floor... she said that when she reached the ground floor and lobby, "I was already up so I decided to go the rest of the way". Whereas she could not previously walk more than a few feet, she was walking about 200 metres only two days after the procedure. I also want to say that for the past 8-9 years, Pattie has not been able to sleep for more than two or three hours a night because of painful restless legs. All of the medication for that seemed worthless. However, from the day of the procedure to this time, her legs have not been "restless" and she sleeps peacefully throughout each night. The colour in her face has returned and I am literally watching my wife come back to life! For over ten years, I refused to think or plan for the future because our future was too depressing. What a joy it is to be able to look forward to the future again!!!

On top of the results of the procedure, we could not believe how much "fun" Liberation Gateway made the trip. Spacious air-conditioned luxury rooms with flat-screen TV, etc, etc, outdoor pool, excellent service (everyone spoke English) and all I could say was that I felt like we were living like kings and queens for a week. They organized a tour of Delhi, had a celebration diner at a super-fine restaurant, and our every need was taken care of.

I also want to say a special "thank you" to Dr. Kumar. He was the most kind and gentle doctor I have ever known, and his genuine care of people was obvious from the moment we met him. He took the time to explain everything and he even got tears in his eyes when he saw Pattie getting up and walking during our final consultation at the end of the week!

Most of all, I want to thank Lou Dietrich. Near the end of the week, I asked him why he used so much of the money we spent to make this a trip for the "lifestyles of the rich and shameless". I would have been happy in a roadside motel for a week to get my wife back. He told me that he is doing it this way because right now, Liberation Gateway was just an Internet website and a voice on the phone to people not knowing what they could expect from this "experimental" procedure, but that in six months or so, dozens of people would be running around all of North America telling their friends about their results and the fun they had with Liberation Gateway. I have no doubt that his goals for that kind of "word of mouth" advertising will become a reality.

Because of the life-changing event and the way we were cared for, I actually left a successful career I enjoyed to work for Liberation Gateway full time. There is nothing I can think of that is more rewarding than to help others get the same kind of help my wife got. If you are reading this and you want more information, there's a good chance I'll be the guy talking to you when you call Liberation Gateway.

Paul J. Larmond

Let me just preface that it is unfortunate, to say the least, that we have to leave home to get liberated at all! There is a lot to worry about in a new country when you are disabled to any degree.

With Liberation Gateway, things seemed easier and challenges were taken care of. Whether it was getting from place to place, food, accommodations, care, expertise or anything else - it all was taken care of.

The people of India were great. With English as their official language, you can understand everything and be understood if you need anything. Everyone wants to help any way they can!

I am able to handle the heat much better since the procedure and want to come back to India one day to see more of the country and sites.

The hospital was a concern initially. If you go through the emergency entrance when you’re there, it is not pretty but neither are our hospitals in Canada. It is clean, and those taking care of you actually care and the doctors are great! Make sure to stop at the shrine for me and bow your head! Once you get to the area where you are going, you won’t believe it! As good as any in Canada and the equipment is all state of the art.

I think it is vital to do the CCSVI liberation treatment as soon as possible and not go through another attack before it is done. I am sure more research is coming, but it starts with the procedure and the line is then drawn. Now we will see if there is anything more we need or can do.

Namaste,
Dave Edward
Canada

I went looking for the ‘elephant’ in India.

20 years ago at age 30, I was diagnosed with MS. 20 days ago I was in a hospital in Delhi India having the ‘liberation treatment’ performed by Dr. Kumar. All indications are that the CCSVI treatment will help modify the progression of my MS that to date, no cure has been found.

Walking into the Hilton Hotel, was like walking into a palace. Walking outside we met a cow who, as it turns out was someone’s pet. It was 32 degrees on our first couple of days and then hit 41 on the day we headed out for an excursion to see a temple.

The doctors and support staff where phenomenal, as was the food at the Hilton. The concerns I had with driving in India where irrelevant as we were shuttled from Airport to Hotel to Hospital and then back again.

Am I cured? Absolutely not. Do I feel that progress has been made… absolutely! I am standing a lot longer without a cane and to me that is progress for now.

Ron Repke
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

When I first learned about Liberation Gateway and that we might travel to India for the CCSVI procedure I was filled with mixed emotions – of hope and fear. My husband who had been diagnosed 20 years ago was slowly losing his mobility, not to mention constant fatigue. We were very hopeful that this procedure could slow the progression of his MS.

After talking to Lou Dietrich at Liberation Gateway my fear quickly subsided as I learned more about the procedure, Dr. Kumar and the hospital. I felt more comfortable about everything – although still had many fears about travelling to India. Liberation Gateway assisted us with every step and it was extremely reassuring that we were going with a group of eight patients and their spouses.

Now that we have gone I can honestly say – WOW!! What an amazing experience. I watched several miracles with all the patients – right before my eyes. The entire experience was so organized – from the hospitality of the hotel, to the convenience of the shuttles, to the cleanliness of the hospital and attentiveness of the nurses and hospital staff.

I recognize this is not a cure – but it is a positive step we could take to help regain proper blood flow, which can only be a good thing overall.

Debbie Repke
Spouse of Patient
Waterloo

Dawn's Story - July 31^st, 2010

Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis entered our lives fast and hard on June12th, 2008. That morning I went to work as usual at 8:00 am. At 10:30 am I slipped out for a Dr. appointment. My husband, Rick, was meeting me at this appointment as he wanted some answers regarding a stagger in my walk and leg pain which I had discussed with my Dr. for a few months. When I left work for this appointment, I said to the girls, be back soon. Little did we know that I would never return to work. At that appointment my Dr. did something to the sole of my foot, and immediately turned to my husband and said, "You have to take her to the University Hospital right now. There will be a neurologist waiting for you". We were at the hospital in Saskatoon by 1:00 PM, and by 3:30 pm I had practically no mobility. The next morning I had a MRI and immediately after it was read, the Dr. came to us and said you have multiple sclerosis. I knew what multiple sclerosis was all about. My husband did not, however he very quickly choose to educate himself about it.

On May 10th, 2010 I received an email from Lou Dietrichs with Liberation Gateway. He had been asked by Dr. Kumar of New Delhi, India to choose 7 Canadians to participate in his clinical study. I had to be ready to fly on May 19th in order to be a participant. I already had a passport, but needed an India Visa. My husband did not have a passport so we knew there was no time for him to plan on accompanying me. Another family member offered to accompany me if we could cover the airfare. This meant a very long, unexpected trip to Edmonton, Alberta to apply for a visa. I literally got my Visa in my hands at 11:30 pm the night of the 18th and my flight left at 10:20 am the next morning. My family member back out on accompanying me at the last moment. If I were to make this trip I would have no choice but to travel alone. It was extremely difficult for my husband to see me off at the airport, to travel that distance with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. I would not arrive in New Delhi, India until approximately 12 noon, our time, the next day. It would be 11:30 pm on the 19th in New Delhi when I arrived.

Since arriving back home on May 26th I have been asked repeatedly if it was worth it. Let it be known if we had to make the choice over again, we would do it in a heartbeat. It is thanks to Lou Dietrichs with Liberation Gateway and to Dr. Kumar, with Jaipur Golden Hospital in New Delhi, India that upon arriving back at Saskatoon Airport, when I spotted my husband, I was able to push my walker to the side and walk into his arms. This is a moment in our lives that we will never forget. And a moment in our lives that we owe to Lou Dietrichs, Dr. Kumar and some very special friends that made this unexpected offer possible. We were not in a financial position to make this trip. On May 11th we were told by a very dear lady that I was going to New Delhi. This friend told us someone had come forth and said that all the expenses would be covered, and that we could carry on with fundraisers after my return, to repay this debt. Another friend took it upon herself to ensure my flight was booked and that I would be met, each time I had to change planes, with a wheelchair and taken to the connecting gate. Dr. Kumar had his staff arrange to meet me at the airport, holding a placard with my name on it, to transport me to my hotel. These people, all in their own ways, made it possible for me to walk into Rick’s outstretched arms on May 26th.

It is extremely important to remember whenever I say walk I am referring to small, sometimes shaky, steps. However without being dependent on my walker or the walls within our home. And as I am learning, it is a matter of time that my walking improves. I have had improvements with my walking since returning home. Far from perfect, but certainly positive changes.

Be sure to check out upcoming webinairs on Lou’s site, Liberation Gateway for the opportunity to meet Dr. Kumar and ask him about the procedure. You are by no means obligated to seek liberation treatment with Dr. Kumar or to go through Liberation Gateway. But by attending the webinar you will be able to have many of your questions answered regarding the Liberation Procedure, or should I say the angioplasty that is performed here in Canada on people that do not have M.S.

By the way, this is going to be a long email, so grab a cup of coffee. I can now drink mine without tremors and spilling it. I also have my slightly sarcastic sense of humour back so bear with me. Thanks you Dr. Kumar, a reason to live again.

Absolutely no improvement with my bladder. But it can still come. I have bowel control again, without prescription medication, (some self respect), no fear of shopping due to that. I now have a very clear voice again. I have colour in my face, friends tell me this constantly. Since coming home from New Delhi I can look in the mirror again without emotional pain. Prior to New Delhi when I looked into my eyes, I saw nothing but hopelessness and despair. It was like a bottomless pit. Now when I look at myself in the mirror I see hope, I see that look that I have always had that consisted of a bit of a twinkle in my eyes.

No fatigue. No pain. No tremors in hands and arms. The odd tremor in either leg, hardly worth mentioning, but I want to be 100% truthful. No double vision, right eye still a little blurry. Have warm feet and can wriggle my toes, first time in 2 years. July 4 during the night I realized I had walked to bathroom with no walker and practically normal steps. Since that date the normal comes, but not too often yet. When I say walk remember I mean small steps, and still shaky but no walker or walls. I use my walker when going outside our home, need to, cannot take that big a risk; it is not worth the chance.

Within our home since July 4 my walking is different degrees, some better than others, do not know from time I sit to when I get up if I will need to grab walker, however I very rarely need the walker around our home. And remember the liberation procedure is not a cure, but if it can improve our life in different small ways, and hopefully stop the progression of our disease than it is worth it. Also, remember MS is a very unpredictable disease. I am able to some days stand at stove and cook a meal for Rick (self- worth, contributing again). Rick slowly getting more relaxed at letting me out of sight, not a controlling man, a concerned husband. Have driven twice alone for coffee with girls at last employment (independence). Can write out the rent receipts with handwriting that is very legible (assisting my husband with his job of managing the building we live in. One month before MS, we took this job on as a team, however I have not been a part of the team since MS.) Prior to liberation procedure, my handwriting was so bad I couldn’t even understand it. I can walk next door to convenience store with my granddaughter, my walker and cell phone, just My Kadie Girl and me. (such joy), my granddaughter at 51/2 years of age cried tears of joy after being in our home with us for over 4 hours and said to me 'grandma you haven't touched this since I got here. I'm so happy, like you just keep walking around and not just sitting'. No price can be put on something like that.

Since July 4th I have taken some normal size, steady steps. Since July 4th I rarely use my walker in our home. I quite enjoy the look in my husband’s eyes when he watched me walk around our apartment without the walker or walls for assistance. The fact that these are usually small steps, sometimes a little shaky, tells me this is just the beginning.

Is it worth it, yes.

Check out Lou's financing on his site under the faqs link.

Why do I keep referring to Lou, nothing in it for me, since returning home I have checked some other prices and believe Lou's price is very reasonable. I know some prices are 20 thousand and up. And I highly recommend Dr. Kumar. I was treated like royalty. My nurse (we each had our own nurse), gave me heck when she seen me taking a drink of water. She took the glass from me and raised it to my lips while saying, "I told you, it is my job to serve you". All the staff is so very friendly, helpful, and 99% speak fluent English.

If and when you choose to receive your 20 minute angioplasty procedure performed by Dr. Kumar, or are considering it, apply for your India Visa NOW. We do not have an office in Saskatchewan, they are in Edmonton, Vancouver and maybe Calgary. Medical visas have to be applied for at Vancouver office. I do not know if you have to apply in person, probably not, but be sure to check into it. I cheated and applied for a travel visa, as I was told by the Visa Office that a medical visa takes longer than a travel visa and time was of the essence for me. If you live east of Saskatchewan, I have no knowledge on locations for visa offices.

Also, when you go to apply for your India Visa, be sure you have lots of identification with your address on it, and I suggest taking a utility bill with you if it is under your name. Also, be sure to make arrangements with the Visa Office as to who will be picking your Visa up for you.

If you have bladder issues, I suggest wearing 2 adult undergarments, the bathroom on the plane is extremely small and difficult to use. Prior to my trip I had not had an mrv or Doppler ultrasound. Dr. Kumar was aware of this. One man in my group had already spent money on these 2 tests. His Doppler showed major blockages on both the right and left side. However, his venogram showed no blockages. This led me to ask Lou about the need to spend money on these 2 tests prior to travel. I will share his response to me regarding that matter:

"As for the answer to your question, you are correct in saying that avoiding the test and going straight for treatment is the way to go. Dr Kumar has seen a patient that was tested positive that did not have the condition. He also saw one patient that was tested negative that DID have the condition. The reliability of testing is sub-par. In my mind, just because the test says you don't have it doesn't mean that you don't; and just because the test says you have it doesn't mean that you do. So what's the value?

"It would be our preference for people to know that they have it (or not) prior to making the trip. For this reason, we used to make it mandatory for people to be tested prior. However, given the realities we are dealing with we have instead decided to offer a $10,000 refund to those who discover they do not have the condition when Dr Kumar does the venogram. This is our way of reducing the risk to the patient that does not know with certainty that they have the condition. Between 90-95% of MS patients have the condition. But the only way for people to know for sure is to go with a venogram from a doctor with the know-how to diagnose the condition.

"Dr Kumar has mentioned that you have had email exchanges. It makes him feel good to know that the treatment has had such a positive impact on your life. I feel the same way."

The above 3 paragraphs are a quotation from an email I had with Lou.

Initially the wait time for Dr, Kumar was no wait. However, I suspect this is possibly a very minimal wait time. Lou Dietrichs can confirm this. Also, I recently had a phone conversation with a person that is going to Dr. Kumar in September, that Lou was able to utilize $1000.00 of air miles towards their hotel accommodations. I have not confirmed this with Lou, but it would be worth asking him about if you decide to book your procedure through his company.

Since my return from New Delhi I have maintained contact with both Dr. Kumar and Lou. Lou shared the following with me regarding his company:

"Just to give you some background on Liberation Gateway and our principles... I started the company in January and have invested the last 5 months getting to a stage where we are only now starting to send patients through Liberation Gateway. The bulk of the time that has elapsed was invested in scouting for the right doctor/hospital and ensuring that the doctor and hospital was up-to-speed prior to treating any of my patients. My partner (who is a doctor) and I created an extensive doc/hospital evaluation process and did a tremendous amount of due diligence and evaluated a number of potential sources for treatment in various parts of Asia and Eastern Europe before we chose Dr Kumar. This involved extensive travel to a number of different countries. My mentality throughout the process has always been that before I send any of my patients to a doctor, I would need to answer "yes" to the following question: "Would I be comfortable sending my own daughter for this treatment if she had MS?" This forced me to be very thorough in selecting the doctor, and ensuring that they had the necessary preparation before they started treating my patients (ie. went through their learning curve for this specific procedure, were using the right materials, etc).

"Although I intended to have two options to offer patients (one in Asia and one in Eastern Europe), I was never able to get comfortable with any options outside of India because none of the nurses speak English there. I don't know if you know this, but the majority of complications that occur in a hospital happen after the procedure is already done. This means that the patient is relying on the nursing staff in the majority of complication circumstances. It was always a scary thought to me that if any of my patients were experiencing a complication that they would not be able to communicate with the nurses. This is the reason that I avoided Eastern Europe. I would be reluctant to offer an option in Mexico for the same reason."

Personally I feel confident in referring people to arrange for treatment with Dr. Kumar through Lou’s company. Of course it is not only Lou’s words that give me this confidence but my experience first hand at receiving the liberation procedure by Dr. Kumar. Hopefully the following answers the many questions I have been asked as to how I was before receiving the Liberation Procedure.

After June 12th, 2008 the day I say it hit fast and hard our life virtually consisted of me laying, sleeping almost 24/7. I suffered from extreme fatigue right up until the day I received my Liberation Procedure.

I had constant, ongoing, increasing pain in my legs; the majority was from the knees down. I was no longer able to bath without my husband being there to assist me if needed. I had no balance whatsoever.

In July, 2008 I lost all bladder control. None of the prescriptions drugs were of any help. We spent over $1800.00 out of our small savings account on Tena Undergarments before I was finally approved for the PARA Program under Saskatchewan Health. We were not able to be reimbursed for the huge amount of our money already spent on these Undergarments. We had also spent well over $2500.00 on prescription medications, prior to coverage on the PARA Program. I got sick on June 12th, 2008 and on July 1st, 2008 I would have been eligible to join my employment health plan. This health plan consisted of the usual drug coverage, short term and long term disability, and also a one time $25 thousand dollar pay out for a pre-existing, undiagnosed condition. Trust me, my boss tried extremely hard to get me coverage, but the powers that be turned her down repeatedly.

I lost a job that I truly loved. I looked forward to going to work each and every day. I also had no bowel control; it took some time but finally was prescribed a medication that assisted with this about 70% of the time. Lack of bowel control was one of the first symptoms, about 2 years prior to 2008. Prior to the Liberation Procedure the tremors in my hands were so bad, I could hardly drink a cup of coffee, or any beverage, without spilling it. On days that I had enough energy to cook, I could not be left alone in the kitchen. I had fallen 3 times while using the stove.

All the housework, laundry, cooking, shopping became work for my husband. My self worth was stripped of me, I felt like a complete burden. Over the years we had watched my father’s health fail as a result of my mothers Parkinson’s Disease. In December 2005 dad had no choice but to put mom in a nursing home. This destroyed him. On April 29th, 2006 his heart had no strength left. If there is any blessing to losing my dear dad, it is that he never had to know about or see had to see his youngest daughter’s health deteriorate and be stricken with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Never once have I wondered if my husband would remain by my side during my illness. I know he loves me as my father loved my mother. He has always put my health before his own. So one may wonder why I felt like a complete burden on my husband. Because he had the same commitment to me as my father had to my mother, and I worried that my illness would be the cause of my husband’s death.

I left our home for medical appointments, and for the rare other reason. I had become a virtual prisoner in our home. My husband was and remains my only caregiver. This prevents him from seeking employment outside of our home. He manages the apartment building we live in; this provides us with our apartment at no charge.

I had to appeal the outcome of my application for Canada Pension Disability. I was finally approved and now receive $775.83 for a monthly income. Prior to the Liberation Procedure I had not moved my toes for 2 years, and my feet were constantly cold, even when outside in the hot summer weather my feet were cold. My voice was not clear. I had no colour in my face. I had trouble dressing; it was easier to stay in a robe.

At my last appointment with my neurologist I was told that I was progressing rapidly and that I would likely be in a wheelchair within a year. The vision in my right eye became very bad and I also had double vision. Since the Liberation Procedure I no longer have double vision and the blurriness in the right eye is still there, but not as bad. My memory became bad, short term memory affected a lot. I missed out on many important events with family, and this disease has caused the loss of many family members. I have no doubt missed out on several other items, but these are the ones that come to my mind so very quickly.

Dawn

I am just now starting to settle in as far as normal sleep and diet. I had a FamilyDoctors appointment the folowing day after we arrived home. She was so empressed with how I was doing that she cleared me to go back to work on the next Monday. The whole sleep, travel and procedure caught up with me on Thursday when I 'crashed' and slept on and off for two days. That is when I decided not to push myself and take a week of my vacation time to settle. I have been back to my aquasize class for the entire week and it has helped.

The news media in Edmonton from paper, to radio and television news are doing nothing but talk about the procedure. Not all flattering and it really bothers me. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to go and have it done. In our group there were the 11 that were treated with varying degrees of MS. I was likely in the best shape as I have had MS for a shorter period of time than the others. I went with the thought process that I wanted the progression of my MS to stop and anything over that was a bonus.I have had some bonus items. As an example, I had pain in my legs from the knee down to the ankle. On the plane ride there I had to wrap a blanket around my legs and wear socks as the coolness of the airconditioning was bothering them and causing pain. I haven't had that problem since I left India - my legs no longer bother me. I have started to record the differences since the procedure and feel so good with every milestone! My heart goes out to the MS patients that have to live with this debilatatting disease and are unable to go to another country to have it taken care of. Sadder is that the cost of this in Canada is a fraction of what it costs to travel to another country to have it done and yet the Government takes it's time to react and get things going while MS patients suffer and wonder what tomorrow will bring. To me it is morally wrong and as a Canadian forced to travel for medical help - it is shameful.

We were told that it could take 2 to 3 months to see the full effects. As exciting as that is, I am excited already that the progression has stopped.

Lou was there from the beginning and my hat goes off to him and the team he has built to understand the MS patient and to know the procedure so well. Dr Kumar was truly outstanding. My pleasure to have gone and I recommend it to all MS patients. One of the ladies I swim with was waiting to see how I made out and how I was doing before she would book but whern I got back she surprised me and showed me the sheet that shows her going in September. I was thrilled and moved to tears.

Betty June

I have been struggling with MS symptoms for 7 years now. I have gotten mixed diagnosis for MS, the latest diagnosis being PPMS (Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis). I never seem to have a consistent symptoms and my problems occur at random times. I have been following CCSVI since the beginning of the year and during the summer ended up in a wheelchair at one point and nothing in the USA was available to help me. My wife’s cousin recently traveled to India through Liberation Gateway and recommended that I give it a serious thought. For me there was no thought process for this, I needed to get this done and see if there was any help it could provide me. Going through Liberation Gateway was so much easier than I thought it would be. Brenda/Lou/Liberation Gateway made the trip so much more enjoyable and I felt that they cared about the entire process for me from obtaining my visa to making sure I made my flight. There was always someone from Liberation Gateway to assist me if and when I needed it.

The experience was wonderful and I would recommend this procedure to anyone that wants to pursue it and going through Liberation Gateway.

Shawn Carrie, Michigan US