BEFORE	AFTER

The reason I posted the "before" & "after" pictures is because the photo on the left was taken in 2006 and I weighed 423 pounds, had all kinds of medical problems, was on oxygen 24 hours a day, used a cane to walk, got around on a electric scooter and used a walker some time. I was taking 27 medications a day. I had been admitted to the hospital 8 times during that year and two times in intensive care. The last time was after my wife Nina had passed on and the doctor told me that if I am not careful, I would follow my wife in 6 months. My reply was "good" because after been married for 50 years, it was and still is difficult to live by myself. They transferred me to Hale Makua, the "old folks" home.

Everett Dowling, a developer on Maui who I have done Cultural Consultant work for, came to see me on several occasions and asked to send me away to Canyon Ranch in Arizona. It's a spa and health clinic. I debated for a while and finally agreed to go. It was the smartest decision I have made in my life. It was difficult for the first couple days being on an electric wheel chair but after the people there found out I was a Hawaiian from Hawaii, everyone wanted to be my friend. I stayed there for a month and a half, teaching Hula to everyone, and giving spiritual healing in a beautiful Humming Bird Garden. I lost about 30 lbs at the Ranch and when I came back Everett Dowling hired me a trainer by the name of Bernice Emily Vadla. She is an expert personal trainer to many people on Maui. She inspired me with exercise and diet and the ability to be fit and healthy, improving my entire outlook on life and that even at 70 years of age, life can be worth living. We train in the gym 3 times a week, and I have lost 173 pounds, down to 4 medications a day, do not use the cane or scooter and do things I have never done in 35 or 40 years. My clothes went down from 6X to 2X and that is a miracle. And the photo on the right was taken on May 20, 2008. How did it happen? A lot of prayers to the almighty god who makes miracles happen when you pray hard enough.

Aloha Uncle Charlie

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Ho`iho`i Mai

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