Sep 30, 2024
8 mins read
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8 mins read

‘God Gave Me the Strength’: Failed by Conventional Medicine and Wheelchair-Bound for 9 Years, She Found a Way to Walk Again in Just a Year—See How

‘God Gave Me the Strength’: Failed by Conventional Medicine and Wheelchair-Bound for 9 Years, She Found a Way to Walk Again in Just a Year—See How

For nine long years, 51-year-old Meghan French’s life was defined by chronic pain, immobility, and a heavy reliance on medications. Diagnosed with a multitude of conditions—including fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, and severe anxiety—she required a wheelchair for mobility and had resigned herself to the idea that her life would never improve. However, a life-changing decision to adopt a keto, and later a carnivore, diet transformed her health in ways she never expected. Today, Meghan, who lives in the U.K., is not only free from her wheelchair but also medication-free, and her story is one of faith, perseverance, family support, and the healing power of food.

A Life Defined by Pain


Meghan’s journey into chronic illness began unexpectedly in 2014. While completing an everyday household chore, she suffered a severe back injury. “I was taking laundry out of the tumble dryer, and I couldn’t stand up,” she recalled. The injury was diagnosed as a prolapsed disc, which caused her pelvis to tilt, leading to constant pain. Soon after, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread pain and fatigue. Over the years, Meghan’s condition worsened, and she found herself in a wheelchair, unable to walk without assistance.

Megan French. (Courtesy of Megan French)

“It became harder and harder to get up and move around,” she said. “I ended up having to use a wheelchair for nine years. That’s just how inflamed and how bad the pain was on a regular basis.”

Along with the physical pain, Meghan struggled mentally. Severe anxiety, depression, and brain fog took over her life. She couldn’t carry on normal conversations and often felt disconnected from her family. “I felt like a zombie in my own life,” Meghan admitted. “I existed, but I certainly wasn’t thriving.”

Failed by Conventional Treatments


Despite seeing multiple doctors and following their advice, Meghan’s health continued to decline. She was prescribed medications for her fibromyalgia, back pain, hypothyroidism, and anxiety, but nothing seemed to work. “I was doing what I was told. I was eating my five to 10 fruits and vegetables a day, no red meat, keeping it low-fat—all the things that are supposed to be helpful. And I ended up gaining over 100 pounds.”

Megan and her husband. (Courtesy of Meghan French)

Meghan’s frustration grew as her symptoms worsened. She felt trapped in a cycle of medications that didn’t address the root of her problems. “I was taking maximum doses of everything, and I was just tired, sick, inflamed, and foggy.”

A Glimmer of Hope


Everything changed for Meghan in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdown restrictions in place, she and her husband decided to try losing weight together. Initially, they attempted a paleo diet, but it only made Meghan’s symptoms worse. Determined to find a solution, Meghan turned to the internet and discovered the ketogenic and carnivore diets.

(Courtesy of Meghan French)

“Dr. Ken Berry’s videos on keto and carnivore changed everything for me,” Meghan said. “I started with keto, and for the first time in years, I felt like there was hope. I made some bacon and eggs, and it was a revelation that I could eat these things and feel good.”

Soon, Meghan transitioned fully to the carnivore diet, eliminating all plant-based foods from her diet. Her typical meals became simple, consisting mainly of meat, eggs, and animal fats. “I ate a lot of ribeye, bacon, and eggs, with butter,” Meghan shared. “No fancy recipes—just real, nourishing food that my body could tolerate.”

Within weeks, she began noticing dramatic improvements. “I cut out all the fruits and vegetables, and that was the trigger moment. Within 48 hours, I had less gas, less bloating, and finally had regular bowel movements.”

The Road to Recovery


Over the next six months, Meghan experienced a complete transformation. She lost 100 pounds, her pain subsided, and her brain fog lifted. “I felt like I was starting to get my brain back,” she said. “Every day, I was feeling just a little bit better.”

One of the most emotional moments in Meghan’s journey came when she realized she no longer needed her wheelchair. “I remember walking around the block for the first time, and I was almost in tears. I just couldn’t believe it. After nine years in a wheelchair, I was walking again. It felt like a miracle.”

(Courtesy of Meghan French)

Her family’s reaction was one of amazement and deep gratitude. “My husband couldn’t believe how quickly things were changing,” Meghan said. “He was with me every step of the way, cheering me on. My kids were thrilled to see their mom more present, more active, and actually happy again.”

Although her dietary change played a significant role in her recovery, Meghan also began exercising lightly as her strength returned. “I started small—just walking around the block—and then gradually added more distance,” she explained. Meghan now walks several miles a day and enjoys her renewed mobility.

Reactions from the Medical Community


When Meghan returned for her regular health checkups, her doctors and nurses were amazed at the transformation they saw. During one of her visits, the nurse practitioner immediately noticed her significant weight loss and asked how she achieved it. “She said, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s amazing. What are you doing?’ I told her I was following a keto-carnivore diet and had eliminated processed foods. She was so impressed,” Meghan recalled.

Doctors were equally surprised when they reviewed her blood work and saw that her cholesterol levels had improved and her triglycerides were back in a healthy range. When Meghan inquired about stopping her statin medication, her doctor agreed it was no longer necessary. “They looked at my blood results and said, ‘Your numbers are perfect. You can stop taking the statins.’ It felt so good to hear that.”

During her checkups, many medical professionals were curious about her recovery. “Some nurses would ask, ‘Weren’t you in a wheelchair?’ And when I told them I was walking again because I changed my diet, they were shocked but supportive. Many of them said they had heard good things about the keto and carnivore diets,” Meghan shared.

Faith and Healing


Throughout her journey, Meghan’s faith played a crucial role in her healing process. Though she had always believed in God, the challenges of living with chronic illness had distanced her from her spiritual life. As her health improved, so did her spiritual connection. “I believe that my physical healing was deeply tied to my faith,” Meghan said. “God gave me the strength to keep going, even when I doubted. I knew I couldn’t heal on my own.”

As her brain fog lifted and her body recovered, Meghan found a renewed sense of purpose and joy in her faith. “The more I healed, the more connected I felt to God. I realized that healing wasn’t just about food—it was also about trust and surrender. I had to trust that God was guiding me through this journey.”

(Courtesy of Meghan French)

Meghan’s experience deepened her spiritual understanding and strengthened her belief that God had a hand in her recovery. “I might be eating right, but all the other healing—that’s my God, that’s my Creator doing that. He’s healing me because I’m eating the things I’m supposed to be eating.”

Lessons Learned from the Journey


Looking back, Meghan reflects on the lessons she learned during her healing journey. “It wasn’t just about losing weight or fixing my diet—it was about learning to listen to my body, trusting the process, and having faith in the things I couldn’t control,” she said. “It’s been a journey of physical, mental, and spiritual transformation.”

(Courtesy of Meghan French)

Meghan encourages others to be their own health advocates and to explore all options, even when conventional medicine seems to fail. “I think we’ve been taught to rely solely on medication, but sometimes the body needs more than that. We need to nourish ourselves in every sense—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”

A Message of Hope


Today, Meghan walks several miles a day and lives a vibrant, active life. Her story is a testament to the power of dietary change and faith. For those struggling with chronic illness, she offers a message of hope: “You don’t have to be stuck in pain forever. If I can do it, you can too. Just start with your diet. Even if you’re in a wheelchair like I was, changing what you eat can make a huge difference.”

Meghan French’s journey from wheelchair-bound to walking free is not just a story of physical healing but also a spiritual renewal. Through perseverance, self-advocacy, family support, and faith, she transformed her life—and she believes that anyone can do the same.

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