by Rowena Stewart, Frome, Somerset, UK

Dear Medical Observer,

I am amazed to read in the article ‘Demand for sanctions on alternative therapists’, that your publication is proposing a serious debate for regulation based on lies and fabrication about Universal Medicine.

I have attended Universal Medicine seminars and workshops for over 6 years and have had healing sessions with nearly all of the Universal Medicine practitioners. It seems that Ms. Jenny’s experience, however valid for her, is greatly at odds with the majority, who would I have no doubt, all support the following points:

1. Universal Medicine is not a cult and has none of the hallmarks of a cult.
2. It has never claimed that any of its healing modalities cure cancer. It does not claim to cure anything.
3. Mr. Benhayon is an ardent and expressive supporter of allopathic medicine.
4. Universal Medicine encourages the individual to discern for his or herself the correct diet and exercise appropriate for their bodies and does not impose a way of living on anyone.
5. Universal Medicine has created one of, if not the highest, ethical standards for alternative medicine in the world.
6. Mr. Benhayon lives and works by these ethics consistently and transparently.

You appear to be presenting seriously flawed information as a basis for deliberation on future regulation and at no point have you endeavoured to investigate the truth about this organisation and what it is truly offering. It seems that there is such intent to discredit Universal Medicine that I wonder if there is a personal vendetta at play.

However, the real outcome of this poorly researched article is that how can I take anything the Medical Observer publishes seriously, if this article is allowed to go to print? By attempting to discredit this organisation, you have in fact discredited yourself.  Can I trust that other articles published within are based on fact or are just another conglomeration of lies and misrepresentation?

In 2006 amongst other things, I was 40 years old, pre-diabetic and obese (5 foot 3 inches and weighing 154 lbs). I had already withdrawn refined carbohydrates from my diet and was just about coping with my condition. I began to attend Universal Medicine seminars and workshops and paid careful attention to what was presented.  I was introduced to a completely new approach to living. I began to test out some of the tools learnt and experiment to see what felt true and beneficial for me. 6 years on I have returned to a balanced body/mass ratio (I know weigh 119 lbs.) and very good health by becoming aware of which foods and beverages affected my health and eliminating them from my food intake, introducing a different range of nutritious foods, coupled with gentle, regular exercise and establishing a healthy sleeping pattern. I now have regular health checks with my doctor, (something I never did pre Universal Medicine days) and the last statement from my doctor on seeing that my blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol were normal, was “whatever you’re doing, keep it up.” This has been just one of many benefits gained from my association with Universal Medicine, which in time will be fully expressed.

I feel great! And I know first hand that many, many other people who have made similar choices due to their involvement with Universal Medicine have flourished and prospered in a similar fashion and there is a lot more yet to unfold.

It would be truly uplifting to see an apology from the Medical Observer for its misleading reports. I wonder if the employees of this publication can aspire to the same high level of honesty and integrity that I have experienced and continue to experience with Mr. Benhayon and his entire organisation.