History of “FAFAA - First Aid For Asthma Attacks”
When My Daughter Was Two…
However, with that being said, I do know that on two occasions She was treated in the hospital for asthma. She was 10 years old the first time and had gone south to visit relatives. During the first few days of Her visit, I received a call from Her Aunt telling Me that My Daughter was having an asthma attack. Though She had brought Her herbal medicines with Her and knew how to take them, Her Aunt didn’t feel comfortable, and so called to ask Me what She should do. I told Her Aunt, “take her to the nearest emergency room”.
The second time that I’m aware of Her going to a hospital, occurred when She was a teenager. While She and a Friend were out, She developed an asthma attack and called Me from the emergency room.
Incorporating Holistic and Conventional Modalities
So, now back to the main point. Frequently working in the asthma section of the ER and seeing so many asthma patients suffer through hours of trying to breathe, one night I started thinking to Myself… “Why can’t I incorporate some of the holistic healing modalities that I use to manage My Daughter’s asthma with conventional (allopathic) medical modes?”
It was at this point that I decided that I would test my ideas with what I believed was a more holistic system that could easily be implemented and incorporated into the hospital protocol.
The next afternoon, I replaced the pitcher of ice water the patients had been drinking all day, with water that was room temperature. I had the patients drink 3-4 cups of the room temperature water before each cycle—before They took each nebulizer treatment and epi injection – a total of three cycles.
The next afternoon, I replaced the pitcher of ice water the patients had been drinking all day, with water that was room temperature. I had the patients drink 3-4 cups of the room temperature water before each cycle—before They took each nebulizer treatment and epi injection – a total of three cycles.
By the end of the third cycle, within 1 hour and a half, patients were usually feeling much better, lungs were clear and They were generally ready to be discharged..
So, now back to the main point. Frequently working in the asthma section of the ER and seeing so many asthma patients suffer through hours of trying to breathe, one night I started thinking to Myself… “Why can’t I incorporate some of the holistic healing modalities that I use to manage My Daughter’s asthma with conventional (allopathic) medical modes?”
It was at this point that I decided that I would test my ideas with what I believed was a more holistic system that could easily be implemented and incorporated into the hospital protocol.
The next afternoon, I replaced the pitcher of ice water the patients had been drinking all day, with water that was room temperature. I had the patients drink 3-4 cups of the room temperature water before each cycle—before They took each nebulizer treatment and epi injection – a total of three cycles.
The next afternoon, I replaced the pitcher of ice water the patients had been drinking all day, with water that was room temperature. I had the patients drink 3-4 cups of the room temperature water before each cycle—before They took each nebulizer treatment and epi injection – a total of three cycles.
By the end of the third cycle, within 1 hour and a half, patients were usually feeling much better, lungs were clear and They were generally ready to be discharged..
For those patients not well enough to leave, I would inform the doctor and get orders to insert an IV, bolus with aminophylline and solumedrol and begin an aminophylline drip period.
Now that was years ago. As of this writing, I’m sure the hospital asthma protocol has changed.
More Holistic Healing Modalities Initiated
Aware that the body restores and heals itself during sleep, I initiated putting those patients onto stretchers so that They could rest and support their respiratory system’s improvement.
Aware that the body restores and heals itself during sleep, I initiated putting those patients onto stretchers so that They could rest and support their respiratory system’s improvement.
While lying down, I would apply Reflexology treatments to Their feet and Contact Healing to Their chest. [Contact Healing is not unlike Laying on of Hands, Therapeutic Touch, or Reiki. Hands lightly applied to chest, helps to relax the lungs and bronchioles].
While awake, They would continue to drink water and sometimes, let’s not forget– going to the bathroom (chuckle chuckle). And lastly, when it was feasible I would offer nutritional recommendations.
Sometimes some patients were able to go home by morning. Others had to be admitted. However, when the patients had to be admitted, They were generally always breathing a lot easier than They were when They first came in.
While lying down, I would apply Reflexology treatments to Their feet and Contact Healing to Their chest. [Contact Healing is not unlike Laying on of Hands, Therapeutic Touch, or Reiki. Hands lightly applied to chest, helps to relax the lungs and bronchioles].
While awake, They would continue to drink water and sometimes, let’s not forget– going to the bathroom (chuckle chuckle). And lastly, when it was feasible I would offer nutritional recommendations.
Sometimes some patients were able to go home by morning. Others had to be admitted. However, when the patients had to be admitted, They were generally always breathing a lot easier than They were when They first came in.
United States Over 3,600 People Die Annually from Asthma
Most Days School Nurse Office Mini-Emergency Room
Only 1 Student out of 35 had Medical Authorization…
Sometime later, I found out that in the United States according to the CDC there are 26 million asthmatics, 7 million are children and that over 3,600 people die annually from asthma including 200 children. It was then that I began to teach holistic based asthma management workshops and present seminars that included – how to use prescribed inhalers correctly.
I also found out that Asthma is the third- ranked cause of hospitalization for children and the number one cause of school absenteeism, accounting for a total of 14 million missed school days.
About the time I began to write “Golden Wings…”, I was one of two nurses at a middle grade public school located in the South Bronx, New York City. As you may or may not know, the South Bronx has one of the highest asthma hospitalization rates for children in New York City.
At this school there were 35 known asthmatics. Most days the School Nurse’s office was like a mini-emergency room. In addition to the “comings and goings” for the usual stomachaches, cuts, and bruises, children were going home every day for asthma.
At that time there were no 504s at the school authorizing the School Nurse to give students medication. There was only one student out of 35 who had received medical authorization to have a nebulizer in school. The Nurse’s office had no medical authorizations for the other 34 students.
And there was one student I’ll call James, who went home at the same time every day because of asthma. Indeed, we didn’t even have to check the time because We knew it was one o’clock..
United States Over 3,600 People Die Annually from Asthma
Sometime later, I found out that in the United States according to the CDC there are 26 million asthmatics, 7 million are children and that over 3,600 people die annually from asthma including 200 children. It was then that I began to teach holistic based asthma management workshops and present seminars that included – how to use prescribed inhalers correctly.
I also found out that Asthma is the third- ranked cause of hospitalization for children and the number one cause of school absenteeism, accounting for a total of 14 million missed school days.
Most Days School Nurse Office Mini-Emergency Room
About the time I began to write “Golden Wings…”, I was one of two nurses at a middle grade public school located in the South Bronx, New York City. As you may or may not know, the South Bronx has one of the highest asthma hospitalization rates for children in New York City.
At this school there were 35 known asthmatics. Most days the School Nurse’s office was like a mini-emergency room. In addition to the “comings and goings” for the usual stomachaches, cuts, and bruises, children were going home every day for asthma.
Only 1 Student out of 35 had Medical Authorization…
At that time there were no 504s at the school authorizing the School Nurse to give students medication. There was only one student out of 35 who had received medical authorization to have a nebulizer in school. The Nurse’s office had no medical authorizations for the other 34 students.
And there was one student I’ll call James, who went home at the same time every day because of asthma. Indeed, we didn’t even have to check the time because We knew it was one o’clock..
Some Days Could Be Very
Overwhelming, Then One Day…
Some days could be very overwhelming and We would be at Our wits end. Then, one day, I decided to try and do something about it.
I was excited about the idea of introducing My Protocol. At that time the Protocol had not been given it’s name FAFAA. I knew that it was a revolutionary move, but one that I felt could really help the children. I talked it over with Nurse Harriet, and after teaching Her the Protocol, She too agreed, and so… I went to the Principal, who well aware of the situation, sat down and listened to the idea.
Some days could be very overwhelming and We would be at Our wits end. Then, one day, I decided to try and do something about it.
I was excited about the idea of introducing My Protocol. At that time the Protocol had not been given it’s name FAFAA. I knew that it was a revolutionary move, but one that I felt could really help the children. I talked it over with Nurse Harriet, and after teaching Her the Protocol, She too agreed, and so… I went to the Principal, who well aware of the situation, sat down and listened to the idea.
FAFAA Public Protocol Introduced
My idea was a protocol that I had been teaching and using successfully with My clients. So, I felt strongly that it would also work well with the children.
I explained to the Principal that there were two components to the Protocol – ‘preventive’ and ‘first aid’.
The ‘preventive’ involved dietary changes– not serving the asthmatics dairy (including milk) at lunch and offering instead a substitution. There is research that shows that dairy products aggravate asthma.
Asthma explained by common allergy to milk and dairy products
The 2nd component ‘first aid’ was just that– an emergency intervention to help an asthmatic during an attack while awaiting medical attention.
My idea was a protocol that I had been teaching and using successfully with My clients. So, I felt strongly that it would also work well with the children.
I explained to the Principal that there were two components to the Protocol – ‘preventive’ and ‘first aid’.
The ‘preventive’ involved dietary changes– not serving the asthmatics dairy (including milk) at lunch and offering instead a substitution. There is research that shows that dairy products aggravate asthma.
Asthma explained by common allergy to milk and dairy products
The 2nd component ‘first aid’ was just that– an emergency intervention to help an asthmatic during an attack while awaiting medical attention.
The Principal Was Very Interested!
The Principal was very interested, but said there was only one snag. I would have to get a letter from each of the parents requesting that Their Child not be given dairy at lunch. She said that once the letters were received, I would be free to introduce the protocol.
I immediately contacted the Parents and explained to each one that I wanted to decrease the frequency and severity of Their Child’s asthma attacks.
I talked to Them about the important role diet played in preventing asthma attacks, and requested that dairy products, “junk” food, food with preservatives and additives be eliminated from Their Child’s diet; in addition, I requested Their Child to eliminate sodas, and drink more room temperature water.
The Principal was very interested, but said there was only one snag. I would have to get a letter from each of the parents requesting that Their Child not be given dairy at lunch. She said that once the letters were received, I would be free to introduce the protocol.
I immediately contacted the Parents and explained to each one that I wanted to decrease the frequency and severity of Their Child’s asthma attacks.
I talked to Them about the important role diet played in preventing asthma attacks, and requested that dairy products, “junk” food, food with preservatives and additives be eliminated from Their Child’s diet; in addition, I requested Their Child to eliminate sodas, and drink more room temperature water.
The Parents Expressed Great Interest
The Parents expressed great interest, and to My surprise I received 35 letters all requesting that Their Child not be given dairy products at lunch time. I then pulled each student aside and speaking to each one privately told Him/Her about my plans and asked how He/She felt about participating. I explained the basis of the Protocol to the Children, which included radically changing Their diets and drinking more water. I also demonstrated how to routinely give Themselves Asthma Reflexology treatments at home.
The Students Were Very Eager to
Learn Everything
Interestingly enough, the students were very eager to learn everything. I told Them about the importance of drinking Their water every day at room temperature; in addition, I encouraged Them to read labels. Eliminate “junk” food and naturally, dairy, including to Their dismay…icecream.
I designed a Holistic Asthma Control Chart that I posted on the wall; the chart indicated the reflexology sites on the foot to be pressed.
Parents were kept informed about what the children were learning and were encouraged to come to the school to learn Asthma Reflexology and Contact Healing.
Some students accompanying Their asthmatic classmates to the Nurse’s office, were curious about the Asthma Control and Reflexology Chart, and expressed a desire to learn.
Interestingly enough, the students were very eager to learn everything. I told Them about the importance of drinking Their water every day at room temperature; in addition, I encouraged Them to read labels. Eliminate “junk” food and naturally, dairy, including to Their dismay…icecream.
I designed a Holistic Asthma Control Chart that I posted on the wall; the chart indicated the reflexology sites on the foot to be pressed.
Parents were kept informed about what the children were learning and were encouraged to come to the school to learn Asthma Reflexology and Contact Healing.
Some students accompanying Their asthmatic classmates to the Nurse’s office, were curious about the Asthma Control and Reflexology Chart, and expressed a desire to learn.
They were taught the simple basics of the First Aid for Asthma Attacks and encouraged to participate in the treatment of Their classmates.
Those students learned about the importance of drinking room temperature water, eating leafy greens, raw salads and fruits, cutting down on junk food and bread, as well as how to apply Reflexology and Contact Healing.
With The skills they learned, They assisted the Nurse in helping Their asthmatic classmates.
They were taught the simple basics of the First Aid for Asthma Attacks and encouraged to participate in the treatment of Their classmates.
Those students learned about the importance of drinking room temperature water, eating leafy greens, raw salads and fruits, cutting down on junk food and bread, as well as how to apply Reflexology and Contact Healing.
With The skills they learned, They assisted the Nurse in helping Their asthmatic classmates.
End of The School Year Rarely Sending Children Home
I know– You want to know the outcome of all this. Well… By the end of the first year, the number of asthmatics coming into the office had decreased quite a bit; We were rarely sending children home for asthma.
The times when students would come to the office wheezing (and as usual NOT have an inhaler), they would be given 2-4 cups of water, (cups generally 4 or 6 ounces), treated with Reflexology and Contact Healing, then sent back to class– no longer wheezing. Students remained fine throughout the day; this was more like “the norm” rather than the exception. Parents were always notified and spoke with the student before the student returned to class.
End of Second Year Only 2 Students
Had to Be Sent Home
During the second year, very few students were coming to the Nurse’s office for asthma related problems. By the end of that second year, only TWO students had to be sent home.
You remember James who went home every day? (We could tell the time by Him) Well, He did GREAT that 2nd year– going home only once; He was one of the two students sent home. The other student was the student with the nebulizer.
James would still come to the office, but instead of 1pm, now it was every morning for His asthma treatment– Albuterol inhaler as ordered by his Doctor. James now had a Doctor’s order. Most mornings, He had mild wheezing and would automatically go and grab a cup to drink His 2-3 cups of water before being administered His inhaler by the Nurse.
Whenever His wheezing was more moderate, James, in addition to getting His water and being given His inhaler, would initiate Reflexology treatments on Himself. He would usually be back in class within 30-35 minutes and be fine for rest of the day
During the second year, very few students were coming to the Nurse’s office for asthma related problems. By the end of that second year, only TWO students had to be sent home.
You remember James who went home every day? (We could tell the time by Him) Well, He did GREAT that 2nd year– going home only once; He was one of the two students sent home. The other student was the student with the nebulizer.
James would still come to the office, but instead of 1pm, now it was every morning for His asthma treatment– Albuterol inhaler as ordered by his Doctor. James now had a Doctor’s order. Most mornings, He had mild wheezing and would automatically go and grab a cup to drink His 2-3 cups of water before being administered His inhaler by the Nurse.
Whenever His wheezing was more moderate, James, in addition to getting His water and being given His inhaler, would initiate Reflexology treatments on Himself. He would usually be back in class within 30-35 minutes and be fine for rest of the day
Now Isn’t This a Real Success Story!!!
Over the years, I have seen how well FAFAA works. The success that I and others have had using this proven protocol, along with a desire to help others is what has motivated me to produce the FAFAA video, and now as of this writing, the FAFAA Tutorial.
I consider FAFAA a Gift to Humanity and so the FAFAA video is not for sale.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you the bad news… Well, the bad news is that while the merit or validity of the protocol, FAFAA-First Aid For Asthma Attacks has been validated by Myself and others through years of observation and experience, it is not ‘scientifically validated’. With that being said, anyone wishing to ‘scientifically validate’ this Protocol, You have My blessings; please feel free to do so.
Over the years, I have seen how well FAFAA works. The success that I and others have had using this proven protocol, along with a desire to help others is what has motivated me to produce the FAFAA video, and now as of this writing, the FAFAA Tutorial.
I consider FAFAA a Gift to Humanity and so the FAFAA video is not for sale.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you the bad news… Well, the bad news is that while the merit or validity of the protocol, FAFAA-First Aid For Asthma Attacks has been validated by Myself and others through years of observation and experience, it is not ‘scientifically validated’. With that being said, anyone wishing to ‘scientifically validate’ this Protocol, You have My blessings; please feel free to do so.
Yocheved Bat-Imedt, the founder of the protocol — FAFAA-First Aid For Asthma Attacks, LLC is a Registered Nurse, Holistic Health Consultant, Holistic Health & Healing Arts Practitioner as well as Holistic Asthma Consultant. She has spent over 40 years researching and promoting holistic health and healing.
Yocheved Bat-Imedt, the founder of the protocol — FAFAA-First Aid For Asthma Attacks, LLC is a Registered Nurse, Holistic Health Consultant, Holistic Health & Healing Arts Practitioner as well as Holistic Asthma Consultant. She has spent over 40 years researching and promoting holistic health and healing.
