Moving Ahead without ACN’s Closest Mentor
It’s been more than 20 years since I walked into the office of Dr. Albert Robbins in Boca Raton, Florida. I’d never been anywhere quite like it.
As directed by office staff, I had used no scented personal products, standard laundry detergent, or shampoo with fragrance before my appointment. I didn’t understand why this was so important but I obliged. A detailed environmental questionnaire was completed and in hand.
I was struck by the sparking clean office as I took a seat in the waiting room. There, a fireman told me he had been severely disabled after exposure to burning toxic chemicals. A couple shared that they had lived for two months in a trailer that poisoned them with formaldehyde. Now, they couldn’t tolerate exposure to even low levels of chemicals and fragrances, but gratefully, they were much better. Dr. Robbins, they said, had rescued them.
A life changing encounter
Soon I was sitting with the affable and soft-spoken doctor. He asked tons of questions, all the while scribbling notes. When did we move to Florida? What about our home? What were our habits? (Basically, what did we eat, drink, breath, or touch every day.) When did specific symptoms start? When did they go away? And so it went for more than an hour. Then he grabbed a recorder and recapped my case. He targeted possible chemical sensitivities and nutritional deficiencies. Systemic candida. Allergies and foods that would need testing with a specialized method I’d never heard of.
He gave me a to-do list to change my lifestyle and I left feeling overwhelmed. Yet, treatment was started and within weeks I saw amazing results. I took my kids to him; other relatives and friends went as well. You can read Dr. Robbins’ article on depression and get a feel for his approach.
One day I talked to him about starting Latitudes. He encouraged me in the effort and has been my inspiration and mentor ever since. For 20 years we’ve been in frequent touch, and we’ve had a book in progress.
Late this summer Dr. Robbins fell seriously ill and was hospitalized. There were no good answers. He tried to work part-time but could not. Sadly, his office just closed and he’s now too sick to be in communication. Just like that.
Along with countless patients, I’m missing him and his guidance so very much.
I’m holding out hope and praying I receive word soon that he is well again.
