John Coleman

John ColemanBy August 1995, John Coleman had lost his power of speech and was wondering how he could go on living. Suffering symptoms of stage IV Parkinson's disease and early stage Multi-system Atrophy, diagnosed by five medical and complementary practitioners, he was unable to walk more than 5 metres without assistance, and took up to an hour and a half to dress himself.

Severely dissatisfied with the treatment and prognosis he received from western medical practitioners, John decided to pursue other pathways to health. With the aid of Homeopathy, Aqua Hydration Formulas, Bowen Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Flower Essences, Counselling, Meditation and Spiritual Development, John was completely symptom-free by April 1998.

Born of itinerant parents, John left school at 16 to work at a copper mine, spent many years in the music industry in various sales and marketing positions, then nine years as an operating theatre technician in large Melbourne hospitals. John completed his Naturopathic studies in 1998 at the Australian College of Natural Medicine in Camberwell (a suburb of Melbourne, Australia) after nineteen years of interrupted study.

John was co-founder of Very Special Kids in 1984 (with his first wife, Nariida and the Good Family) following the death of his older son, Damian, in 1983. Very Special Kids was wholly financed by these two families until late 1985. During 1985, John engaged the services of Sister Margaret Noone (the current Patron of Very Special Kids) and paid her salary until a grant from the Myer Foundation became available. Very Special Kids has grown to be a fabulous, unique family support organization based in Melbourne.

John was founder of the neuro recovery foundation in 2002. This organization was established to support those challenged with neurodegenerative or autoimmune disorders who sought to help themselves by exploring all options for treatment and better health. All initial funding was from John until donations at the inaugural meeting developed a small bank account. The neuro recovery foundation is slowly expanding and funding research into homeopathic treatment for Parkinson's disease.

John conducted fourteen Neuro Recovery Pathways programmes at Petrea King's Quest For Life Centre in NSW over a four-year period, before moving into new premises at Bulleen (Melbourne, Australia) and restructuring the programme for that venue. Neuro Recovery Pathways programs provide participants with information and encouragement to reverse their degenerative disorder and resume joyful good health. He has also conducted practitioner training and public lectures on recovery from challenging disorders in many states of Australia, USA, Germany, Austria and UK.

John now conducts Naturopathic Clinics in Melbourne and Lancefield while continuing to lecture to health practitioners and members of the public about recovery from degenerative disorders. His book, “Stop Parkin' and Start Livin' – Reversing The Symptoms of Parkinson's disease”, was published by Michelle Anderson in 2005 and has since been read in many countries.

Awards

Tattersall's Award for work with Very Special Kids: 1985
Honorary Life Member, Victorian Flute Guild
ANPA Award for Professional Excellence in Community Education: 2005
Finalist, Pride of Australia Medal – Courage Award: 2007