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Medical marijuana helping children with special-needs, A California mother reaches out to other mothers on ABC News 20/20 on June 4, 2010.
Los Angeles May 27, 2010, Judy Mendoza, a 43-year old mother of three has begun treating her son who has a rare yet severe form of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder with medical cannabis.
On June 4th, 2010, 10pm local time Judys interview by ABC News 20/20 correspondent, Chris Connelly will be aired. She shares her moving story about her son Ryan his battle with the debilitating disease known as PANDAS, and an unconventional treatment in the form of Medical Cannabis. In the interview Judy also speaks about the not-for profit she has started to help other mothers and children get the support that they need.
Judy has formed the organization called Mama to Mama (or MSquared). www.msquaredsite.org. The group acts as a support network for families with special needs children. With group therapy, support meetings and information for families interested in learning more about medical cannabis and advocating for its therapeutic use and research in children with PANDAS, autism, and other debilitating conditions.
Ryans doctor recommended trying medical cannabis after the family had exhausted all other treatment options. The cannabis works well for the Mendoza family. We have two different types of medications that we are giving him. One is medical cannabis in a capsule form that we give him once every 24 hours. The other is a tincture/liquid drops that we put under his tongue if he is having a lot of anxiety. The drops are helpful because they are administered sublingually which means the medicine enters the blood stream very quickly, and the results have been remarkable. Judy said.
Mendozas 12-year old son, Ryan, suffers from Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) a severe form of OCD which has the patient so riddled with compulsions that completely debilitating terror can come from the sound of wind or seeing the number 6. The PANDAS form of OCD is thought to be triggered by an infection of the same bacteria that causes strep throat and scarlet fever. As the childs immune system fights the strep infection, it becomes confused and starts to attack an area of the brain called the basal ganglia. Abnormalities of the basal ganglia have been associated with symptoms of OCD.The PANDAS condition is an autoimmune disorder in which the bodys own immune system attacks the body instead of germs, infections, and diseases.
By talking about Ryans illness and treatment Judy has become a speaker and advocate. Recently she was invited to speak and head a panel discussion at the second annual THC Expose the largest medicinal/cannabis awareness convention in the country. 20/20 was on hand to film her talk to the crowd, estimated at over 30,000 for the weekend, for a feature that they are doing on the treatment of special needs children with medical cannabis.
During her panel discussion, Judy shared a story about how her son, Ryan (12), stood in front of her car and begged her to run him over and kill him because he could no longer handle all the thoughts in his head. Judy gave him his cannabis medicine and an hour later he was sitting, relaxed, in the house and said Mama, I would really like my room to be more peaceful. Can I have a waterfall in there? As Judy explained with tears in her eyes to the crowed gathered to hear her and the other mothers speak, I have been to doctor after doctor and have tired many different treatments, while this (medical cannabis) isnt a cure all, because of this new medicine my son, my Ryan can go outside, he can play with his brother and sister. He can have a more normal life. And for that Im grateful.
Brian Roberts, The THC Expose promoter is quoted as saying: I want to let you know the new face in the fight for freedom of choice among adults concerning medical marijuana. I was honored to be able to meet and get to know Judy Mendoza, a mother that has two kids that have special needs. Her approach is new and still needs massive funding by the Federal Government to help all of us understand the truth and need for medical marijuana legislation.
Judy is forming a coalition of M-Squared mothers and plans to visit Washington DC to talk to law makers about how federal laws are interfering with their safe access to medical cannabis and research on the therapeutic value of cannabis as medicine for special-needs children.
# # #
For more information, please contact Judy Mendoza 949-702-4754, [email protected]
www.msquaredsite.org.
Los Angeles May 27, 2010, Judy Mendoza, a 43-year old mother of three has begun treating her son who has a rare yet severe form of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder with medical cannabis.
On June 4th, 2010, 10pm local time Judys interview by ABC News 20/20 correspondent, Chris Connelly will be aired. She shares her moving story about her son Ryan his battle with the debilitating disease known as PANDAS, and an unconventional treatment in the form of Medical Cannabis. In the interview Judy also speaks about the not-for profit she has started to help other mothers and children get the support that they need.
Judy has formed the organization called Mama to Mama (or MSquared). www.msquaredsite.org. The group acts as a support network for families with special needs children. With group therapy, support meetings and information for families interested in learning more about medical cannabis and advocating for its therapeutic use and research in children with PANDAS, autism, and other debilitating conditions.
Ryans doctor recommended trying medical cannabis after the family had exhausted all other treatment options. The cannabis works well for the Mendoza family. We have two different types of medications that we are giving him. One is medical cannabis in a capsule form that we give him once every 24 hours. The other is a tincture/liquid drops that we put under his tongue if he is having a lot of anxiety. The drops are helpful because they are administered sublingually which means the medicine enters the blood stream very quickly, and the results have been remarkable. Judy said.
Mendozas 12-year old son, Ryan, suffers from Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) a severe form of OCD which has the patient so riddled with compulsions that completely debilitating terror can come from the sound of wind or seeing the number 6. The PANDAS form of OCD is thought to be triggered by an infection of the same bacteria that causes strep throat and scarlet fever. As the childs immune system fights the strep infection, it becomes confused and starts to attack an area of the brain called the basal ganglia. Abnormalities of the basal ganglia have been associated with symptoms of OCD.The PANDAS condition is an autoimmune disorder in which the bodys own immune system attacks the body instead of germs, infections, and diseases.
By talking about Ryans illness and treatment Judy has become a speaker and advocate. Recently she was invited to speak and head a panel discussion at the second annual THC Expose the largest medicinal/cannabis awareness convention in the country. 20/20 was on hand to film her talk to the crowd, estimated at over 30,000 for the weekend, for a feature that they are doing on the treatment of special needs children with medical cannabis.
During her panel discussion, Judy shared a story about how her son, Ryan (12), stood in front of her car and begged her to run him over and kill him because he could no longer handle all the thoughts in his head. Judy gave him his cannabis medicine and an hour later he was sitting, relaxed, in the house and said Mama, I would really like my room to be more peaceful. Can I have a waterfall in there? As Judy explained with tears in her eyes to the crowed gathered to hear her and the other mothers speak, I have been to doctor after doctor and have tired many different treatments, while this (medical cannabis) isnt a cure all, because of this new medicine my son, my Ryan can go outside, he can play with his brother and sister. He can have a more normal life. And for that Im grateful.
Brian Roberts, The THC Expose promoter is quoted as saying: I want to let you know the new face in the fight for freedom of choice among adults concerning medical marijuana. I was honored to be able to meet and get to know Judy Mendoza, a mother that has two kids that have special needs. Her approach is new and still needs massive funding by the Federal Government to help all of us understand the truth and need for medical marijuana legislation.
Judy is forming a coalition of M-Squared mothers and plans to visit Washington DC to talk to law makers about how federal laws are interfering with their safe access to medical cannabis and research on the therapeutic value of cannabis as medicine for special-needs children.
# # #
For more information, please contact Judy Mendoza 949-702-4754, [email protected]
www.msquaredsite.org.
