So my name's Renata Brodzka
I am the mother of a 7 year old boy.
His name is Severin.
When Severin was five he was diagnosed with a heart condition called ‘AV node block’,
It’s a 3rd degree heart block.
Some of the cells that are supposed to passing signals in his heart are damaged
and the byproduct of this is that his heart rate is very low.
As a mum I couldn't agree with the pacemaker being inserted in such a small boy
because it can give many complications.
It's not just a device.
It can create a lot of inflammation in the body.
The cables would need to be removed and replaced because his body is growing.
I was like “If I don't find a solution, it's like a failure”.
I felt devastated.
So I read about the Wim Hof Method that many people with all kinds of conditons had very positive results.
So I was like “why not try this?”
But I wasn't sure if it would be for Severin
because his heart rate is slow
And what I read about the method is that it can slow down the heart rate even more
so I was afraid.
I wanted to find out if this method wouldn’t harm him even more.
So I wrote lots of emails to the company behind the Wim Hof Method
with the story about Severin’s condition
and one day I received this phone call from Wim himself,
Wim called me and he reassured me that I give it a try
and he told me what to do exactly.
One day we were invited to the Wim Hof Center
We did the breathing together
and with a very basic test using an oximeter on Severin’s finger,
Severin would be running
when he was running his heart rate only went up to 80 beats per minute,
which is understandable considering his condition
when he lie down and did the Wim Hof breathing,
his heartbreak went up 102 beats per minute...
and I was like “Wow...”
I've gives me goosebumps by telling you this,
Fully in.
Letting go.
So I strive to practice the method regularly with Severin
and now a year has passed
and the great news is that...
Severin’s heart rate can go up to 166 beats per minute.
I spoke to several cardiologists and they say this is all very unlikely
They don't understand why his heart rate goes up 166 beats per minute.
Now I can see on his watch that his heart rate improved a lot
so I think we can keep Severin of the pacemaker doing the Wim Hof Method because his heart is healthy
and from my understanding of his condition.
if the heart rate goes down there could be a risk of heart arrest.
So we need to keep the heart rate up in a natural way
and then who knows what we’ll see on the next scan...
Maybe the AV node is repaired.
I don't know but I am hoping for something like that.
That would be a miracle.
His average heart rate was 49 beats per minute about one and a half year ago.
When he sleeps his heartrate could go as low as 25 beats per minute.
That is just crazy to witness.
But now during the day his heart rate has really improved
It also depends on what he does of course.
But if he does the breathing and a bit of cold exposure
Sometimes he really surprises me
He goes to take a bath and uses cold water
and then he calls me and says ”Mom, can you put some ice cubes in the tub for me?”
“I am doing the ice bath.”
That’s so heartwarming to witness
He understands in his own way how to practice the method.
I try to set a good example for him.
I'm happy to give him that strength so we can do it together.
It's very bonding as well
Bye...
I think he just wants to surprise his mom.
He gets it.
He gets my full surprise.
You are in.
You did it yesterday as well.
That's amazing.
Wave to the camera.
You need to...
Wow bravo.
When he does the breathing and takes a cold shower,
I think the mindset starts to kick in as well,
It all comes togehter I think
He knows that he did something good for himself
It’s so beautfully connected.
I think that it all works together.
I would like to say to all the parents out there who are searching for a solution
for the heart or any other condition their children deal with,
Don't give up and always search outside of the box.
I know doctors and surgeons are very needed and they help us a lot.
My message is not to disturb any medical interventions.
My message is out there to take that extra step for your child
Don’t just put pacemakers in children just like that.
But also try natural ways first because that's what really counts.
If you go to hospitals and I know it's nerve racking,
but it will help the parents if they give the child a hand
and that will change their lives.
It may not always change the condition,
but it can give hope in the child’s mind
that there's something out there that they can explore.
Do you feel warm in the legs?
Yeah
It’s nice right?
And if the parents practices as well than that's totally different story
It will bond the two of you together.
It will get you through that hard time.
That would be my message...
to all the parents and people out there
to try it.
To try it.
It works.