Denise's Story

In 1982, by all outward indications, I had life by the tail. I was successful and prospering in an exciting oil business, and I had all the things that society says will make you happy and content. But my life took a drastic turn when a stranger came to my door dressed as a delivery man. When I opened the door to him, he stormed in, shot me twice with a 38 caliber gun and beat me severely around my face and head. Bleeding to death, he left me to die. The will to live was sustained only by the fearful cries of my 4-year old daughter, Dior, hiding under her bed in the next room.

The brutal attack and gun shot wound had left my arm and hand paralyzed, resulting in the severation of all the major nerves in my forearm. After multiple surgeries attempting to repair the extensive nerve damage, surgeons determined that I would be lucky to ever regain more than 18% use of my left hand. Luckily, the bullet to my chest had entered and exited with minimal damage.

I was unwilling to accept the dim prognosis of the medical community. I began exploring healing principles and techniques outside traditional fields. I embarked upon a healing journey that taught me how to heal mind, body, and spirit. I began to realize that healing not only occurs physically, but also must occur mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. After applying what I learned throughout the next few years, I regained full use of my arm and hand. I then became committed to helping others learn how to access the inner, healing resources that we all possess. From 1984 to 1991, my life was devoted to learning and teaching others about the healing power of the mind. I studied metaphysics with fervor. I went to San Diego to study with Deepak Chopra, who was quickly becoming well-known in the mind/body field. I explored many different healing traditions. Soon I began developing my own courses that incorporated Dreams, Intuition, and Healing. I also began appearing on radio and television shows as “The Dream Lady”, interpreting viewers’ and callers’ dreams. (More on “The Dream Lady”)

In 1993, I founded the Association for the Development of Mind/Body Potential, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration of mind, body, and spirit healing techniques. Having already begun offering a curriculum to the general public, I had seen people heal on many levels and from many disorders. Then I decided it was time to put my program to the test of the medical community. That’s when I assembled a group of professionals for my first research project, a PsychoSpiritual Program for people with Multiple Sclerosis. This project was very successful and we published our results in Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine in 1996. See Vita.

And the rest is history. You can read more about that history and how we have modified our Mind, Body, Spirit Program for Cancer, Breast Cancer, adolescents, and health professionals by going to Mission & History of Mind Body Potential.