Mr. Michael Basara took his parents, Mr Eli and Mrs Dolores Basara to Balavi Natural Health Center in early March 2005. Khun Eli and Khun Dolores, coming to Thailand from Philadelphia, USA, to visit their son, both have diabetes and overweight problems. Initially Khun Michael, who lives in Bangkok, was looking for a medical institution that provides holistic treatment for his parents. He surfed the internet and came across Balavi. He then made an appointment to meet Dr. Kobkan of Balavi to consult if Balavi has a program that can treat his parents'problems.

Both Khun Eli and and Khun Dolores were recommended to take a 10 day-course program. This program comprises medical treatment including physical examination, alternative treatment, various exercise training program for body and mind, lectures, and meals. Balavi recognizes that various illnesses such as diabetes, overweight, high blood cholesterol, and heart disease are caused from improper diet and inappropriate lifestyle such as a lack of adequate exercise and prolong stress. This course is aimed to train the participants on how to eat proper food, exercise one's body and mind in order to overcome their health problems and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The medical treatment includes physician counselling and physical exam on the first day and the last day. Hence the improvement in physical health can be measured and assessed through various physical exams (before and after the participation in the progam) such as the results of blood check, uric acid, cholesterol, liver function test, and others. The alternative treatment includes acupuncture for 5 sessions. The body and mind exercise program comprises training and practices on Qigong exercise, hydro-aerobics, mat exercise, and touch massage. The relaxation activities include music therapy, Thai herbal steam bath, sauna, and solar bathing. In addition, there are a series of lectures, delivered by the doctors, that provide knowledge and understanding on various health diseases, their causes, the ways to overcome, prevent, and cure using natural or integrated approach. Finally, the meals are designed and prepared with regard to each patient's specific health condition. The diet for Khun Eli and Khun Dolores during the 10 days was for diabetes patients which comprises protein and vegetables. The daily meal includes a breakfast, lunch, and dinner and 2 breaks (mid-morning and mid-afternoon).

Before the participation, Khun Dolores had very high level of blood sugar 210m% HbA1c=8.2% and needed a daily insulin injection dosage of 56 units in the morning and 28 units at night. Her weight was also relatively high at 93 kilos. She felt that the western approach of using drug did not work as her health condition never got better and she was dependent on her insulin injection constantly.

After she had completed the 10-day program, the physical exam performed on the final day shows that Khun Dolores has lost 5 kilos and much more importantly, she did not have to continue her insulin injection any longer.Her sugar blood level came down to 154 mg% HbA1c was 6.6% (normal) range is 4.5-6.2% She was very happy that she was able to get off her insulin injection by the time she has completed the program. To discontinue the insulin injection is way beyond her expectation. Moreover, her acute pain in the knees have also reduced sharply. In addition, she stated that "I have been spoilt by the attentive care that Balavi's personnel provided to me during the 10 day stay. I have found Thai people wonderful and I enjoyed the Thai food, the exercise and relaxation programs." Khun Dolores stated that she was very happy with the result and is committed to apply the knowledge and practice gained at Balavi to her daily living when she goes back to the USA.

The result after the completion of the program for Khun Eli was equally impressive. Khun Eli has lost a total of 8 kilos and his sugar blood level came down from 205mg% to 105mg% towards the end of the program. More importantly, Khun Eli was very pleased that he was able to reduce the daily dosage of 3 types and 6 tablets of antidiabetic drug to half tablet only

Khun Eli said that "my quality of life has improved significantly. Before joining the course, I couldn't lift my arm. After the course, my physical mobility has increased and that I can now lift my arm and am able to walk better." The overweight problem is the root of his various illnesses. "By losing weight, many positive changes are happening to my body. I used to have difficulty walking but now I feel so much lighter and happier that I can move around much better." As for his overall impression about Balavi, he said that "the personnel are very courteous and helpful. The program has produced a big change for me as the weight loss has resulted in an overall improvement of my health. I definitely recommend other people who have weight loss problem to participate in the program."

Khun Michael told us that he was extremely pleased with his parents' results. He felt that the change was very dramatic and beyond his initial expectation. He said that his parents are now able to have better quality of life and the experience at Balavi has provided his parents an opportunity to start living a healthy lifestlye. The challenge now however is his parents' motivation. This is the motivation to commit to a healthy living by changing the choice of food and keeping up with the exercise program.

In order to ensure that his parents' self-motivation remains intact, he is determined to provide support in helping them achieve the change in the daily lifestyle. This includes working out protien and vegetables menu for them which he intends to consult Balavi on the menu and food preparation. He has already bought for his parents the video tape on Tai Chi and Qigong exercises that contain exercise routines exclusively for diabetes patients.

Khun Eli and Khun Dolores are so fortunate to have such caring and grateful son like Khun Michael. We are deeply touched by Khun Michael's strong determination and kind heart. His effort will be the kind of motivation which we are sure to keep his parents stay committed to a new and healthy lifestyle.