Stem Cell Therapy in Costa Rica
The Florida parents of 7-year-old Matthew Faiella, who has autism, are taking him to Costa Rica at the end of this month for adult stem cell treatments. According to WESH.com, Daniel and Ruth Faiella say that they have seen “improved mental skills” in Matthew after trying many different therapies, “including a $20,000 hyperbolic chamber that allows Matthew to breathe in pure oxygen that his parents believe stimulates his brain cells.” Costs for the Costa Rica trip are, Daniel Faiella says, “‘depleting all of our funds’” and they are seeking donations.
There are currently no clinical trials underway in the US for using stem cell therapy for autism and stem cell treatment is not allowed in the US. Stem cell therapy is offered in Mexico and China, and have parents have reported “encouraging surprises” at first—–and then no more progress.ll
Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism spectrum disorder, children, China, costa rica, mexico, pdd-nos, Psychology, stem cells
42 opinions for Stem Cell Therapy in Costa Rica
daedalus2u
Feb 13, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Autism is not caused by neurodegeneration. There is no basis what so ever to rationally believe that stem cells might help autism.
It is so sad when well meaning parents are taken advantage of and their funds stolen from them by quacks.
Bink
Feb 13, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Oh, the HBOT chamber only costs 20K? My pediatrician shared a letter with me this morning that has been mailed out by our local DAN practitioner. It gives the rates for HBOT as $650 for the initial consultation and then $450 an hour for the HBOT chamber. I guess the DAN person will have that chamber paid for in under a month.
It makes me so angry and sad. (My pediatrician was not fooled, either, to be clear.)
madam ovary
Feb 13, 2008 at 4:38 pm
My cousin had a fund-raiser to send his daughter to Poland for some quack treatment for CP. What can you do? We had to contribute even though we knew it was phony. And no, it didn’t work.
Samantha Pierce
Feb 13, 2008 at 7:10 pm
If they are depleting all of their funds now what are they going to do when this kid is ready to go to college? I’ve got three, soon to be four, kids to put through college. I can’t see myself blowing $20,000 on something that doesn’t have some solid science backing it up. We get “encouraging surprises” every day all for the modest monetary cost of feeding and clothing our kids the way any responsible parent would.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 13, 2008 at 11:44 pm
More often than not, less has been more for us, too.
ebohlman
Feb 14, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Did they really mean “hyperbolic” in which case I don’t see any inherent trouble in the statement (though it’s not at all confidence-inspiring), or did they mean “hyperbaric” in which case I see some serious quackery going on?
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 15, 2008 at 1:46 am
ABC News reports on Americans going abroad (to China) for stem cell therapy.
@ebohlman,
Yes, the MSNBC report says “hyperbolic”—-an unintentional slip about the “hyperbolic” claims for some of these “therapies”?
Pauline
Feb 22, 2008 at 1:58 pm
As Matthew’s aunt and a healthcare professional for over twenty years I am really disappointed in all the negativity and at times downright rude remarks on some of these message boards. First of all we all love Matthew. He means the world to his mom and dad and they will continue to love him even if these treatments do not help aide in his recovery. He is also well fed, clothed and taken care of! As for going to college, unfortunately that will not be an option for him if his parents do not do everything in their power now to help him recover. For anyone to suggest that his parents do not love him not only are you being idiotic but downright rude as well!
Secondly, it doesn’t take a healthcare professional with over twenty years expereince such as myself to know that modern medicine is rapidly advancing everyday. What is now considered the norm for many treatment options was once considered taboo, unethical, quackery, and the people who chose to try them no doubt got the same kind of negative backlash that my sister and her husband are receiving now. But thankfully there are people like them who are willing to go the extra mile and do everything in their means regardless of the negativity they encounter at every turn. It is because of people like them that modern medicine is what it is today. Any time a new treatment method is suggested there will always be people (not unlike many of you) who will rear their ugly heads and lash out! But often times as has been proven so many times over in the past, the advances in medicine will prevail and the naysayers will slip quietly into the background. Or better yet they will take advantage of the advances made and use it to help themselves or someone they love.
I can’t help but wonder if this weren’t about a “controversial” treatment would people be so harsh. If for example Matthew was lost and his parents were trying everything in their power to find him at what point would you tell them to stop? If it was your child would you not look under every rock, behind every tree, & building, contact everyone you knew and many you didn’t to help find your child? Or would you just sit back and say “it’s meant to be” (as so many of you have suggested). I seriously doubt it. And that is precisely what Matthew’s parents are doing, trying all they can to help him recover. That is their right as his loving, caring parents. Whether you agree or not is unimportant. All that matters is no matter what happens, no matter the outcome, they can be comforted in the fact that the know they tried and never gave up against all the odds and all the negativity!
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 22, 2008 at 8:50 pm
@Pauline,
Thanks so much for commenting here. As you know, there are many treatments out there for autism, and many that promise “recovery.” Autism is a lifelong neurological condition, as you know, and my own focus tends to be on long-term concerns of educating my son and making sure that there are adequate, and indeed the best, services and supports for him and kids like Matthew and him. Best wishes——
Bridget
Feb 22, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Hello to all
I have known Matthew’s mom for over a year now, She helps me run and Autism Support Group and having a son diagnosed with Autism at the age of two I must say I am proud of what she and her husband are doing for Matthew. How dare you all sit back and judge how another parent deal with finding a way for their son to be treated with Autism. I am sure you have tried methods that people have thought wouldnt work, but you went through with them why because you want better for your child. So dont knock these parents and if this procedure works I bet each and everyone of you would be trying to find contact information to see how you cant get done for your kids.
The Autism community needs to pull together and stop tearing each other down, so instead of bashing let pull for Matthew and his parents
Anna
Feb 22, 2008 at 10:36 pm
So, if they were allowing this treatment here in the US would you still say it was quackery?? I too have a son with autism and I am very lucky that he is high on the spectrum. But, I too would try anything to help my son become a productive person in the world. And the comment about collage, most of these kids will be lucky to get a paper saying that they completed grades K-12.
I just pray that none of you have anything happen to your children, but then you would know that you would do anything to help them.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 22, 2008 at 10:48 pm
One hears every day about a new treatment and cure for autism, but one thing remains, which is education. Autistic kids needs to be taught in ways that best enable them to learn, and many will need supports throughout their lives. It’s wonderful that more students on the spectrum are going to college; they still (sometimes/often, not always) need supports. Reports of new treatments tend not always to emphasize the key role of education.
Chris M
Feb 23, 2008 at 12:44 am
I often see people within the autism community attack other parents for their decisions on treatment or therapy. It is indeed not the smartest thing to throw stones while still living in the same autistic glass house.
I believe these parents are indeed doing what they believe is right for their child and their situation.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 23, 2008 at 12:55 am
Fortunately, I think we can all agree that getting the best education for autistic individuals throughout their lives is necessary.
Debbie
Feb 23, 2008 at 1:10 am
I understand your concern about education, but let’s face it… here in the States, it’s not a sure thing that every child will receive that. Both my boys have autism, and neither has had a consistently good education. I have just had to go through more IEP meetings in order to fight for their rights for a free and appropriate education.
BUT the story posted is not about education. It is about addressing autism as it is: a neurobiological disorder. It affects the brain, the gut, the immune system and in some like my younger son, muscles and connective tissue. Education only supplies behavior modification, but behavior is only one symptom of a very complicated disorder.
What Matthew’s parents have done is give their son a fighting chance. These treatments don’t have the big research backing that drugs do, because pharmas don’t want to lose a cent of profit on drugs that only mask problems. Matthew is a healthier child than he was when he was first diagnosed. I know this because I have known his mom for a couple of years now, and have heard reports of his progress during that time that is extremely encouraging.
It is unproductive to be so critical of these parents, us parents, that do everything we can to get our children back from this epidemic. To question the validity of a treatment is fair… it’s how we learn, but to tear down a family is totally uncalled for.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 23, 2008 at 1:21 am
It’s definitely possible to work to get the best education possible for a child, and for an autistic child. Hopefully we can keep directing efforts in this direction, as education is a lifelong process for many autistic persons, my son included, and it would be well to devote as much energy to making it the best possible. Education is certainly much more than behavior modification!
While it might feel that there’s an epidemic of autism, this is not necessarily the case.
Thanks so much.
George N. Griffin
Feb 23, 2008 at 9:52 am
As a father of a son with autism.I know what they are going through my son is almost 23 he did graduate high school but now he sits at home.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 23, 2008 at 11:39 am
@Mr. Griffin,
I have heard of the same happening for other families whose children turned 21. Other families here in NJ have talked about the shortage of housing (in group homes and such settings) for autistic adults. We have started to talk to NJ state officials but there’s a long way to go.
Was there any transition plan for your son after he finished school?
George N. Griffin
Feb 23, 2008 at 11:49 am
there was some plans but our state has cut all the funding for the programs Here in MI unless they are more sever than he is
Just Jean
Feb 23, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I just want to say that I know Matthew’s mom. She has proven to be a faithful and loving friend, just as she is a loving and very concerned mother to her beloved Matthew.
If any of you care to know, Matthew’s mom will be so willing to discuss anything concerning Matthew with you, she will gracefully agree to disagree with you, if need be. She and I have reached that compromise on many issues concerning everything from autism therapies and education to what is the best cleaning solution to use around the house daily, or which came first the chicken or the egg.
As the parent of a wonderful son, who has ASD (among many other things), the stem cell therapy is not my goal at this time. But I support Matthew’s mother, she has done her homework and she is willing to pay the price. I asked her to consider not going public, because I knew that there would be many unkind things said, but she and her husband insist that if they can help spread knowledge, they are willing to take the heat.
Some comments seem to be fair, some seem to be primarily based on concern for Matthew and some seem to have a slight negative, almost combative thread. There is no black and white in the spectrum world…..IMHO (Of course)
One thing that my childs ASD has taught me, there is no such thing as one size fits all. What works for you, may be a disaster for me. Those of us who love someone with ASD, should surely know that by now.
I do agree that education should play a major role in any short and long term plan for intervention of ASD children. But we all must also know that the very same law that is allowing some children to receive 40 plus hours a week of one on one, extremly expensive highly specific care, can give some children, who are the same or even more in need, little more than lip service. WHO jousts for these underserved children? Why do the ASD support groups not join together and if need be, file class action law suits, so that every spectrum person receives equal rights, so that the poor children get the same care as the wealthy, so that they all have equal services under the laws in place to protect and serve them?
One last comment, there are people in the public eye, who do my child no favors, when they declare they have recovered,( cured, healed, or whatever word you want to use), their child, be it by diet or a BRAND of therapy or by whatever the cure of the day happens to be. With that being said, you will not find Matthew’s mommy among them. What you will find is a very well read person, who will support you through thick and thin and who will do whatever she can to help her son….I simply do not see how anyone can find fault with that.
GOOD LUCK TO MATTHEW AND HIS PARENTS!!
GODSPEED
Just Jean proud friend to Matthew and his Mom
Just Jean
Feb 24, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Dear Dr Chew,
I have looked on your website several times for a place to email you or leave a general comment, I cant find one. It could be there is not one or it probably is that I have just not seen it. I have the neverending help of a wonderful little 6 year old boy Friday and while his help is much appreciated, sometimes it can really complicate things ;O).
The reason I wanted to contact you was to thank you for allowing me and others the opportunity to make our voices heard. I appreciate that very much.
While there can be much division among those who love someone(s) with autism, there is one uniting theme, we love and care about somone(s) who has autism. My path may not be the same as yours, yours may be VERY different than another loving and concerned parent of a spectrum child, but we all should be united in seeing our children are not forgotten.
So, thank you for allowing us this forum to be able to share, even if we all have differing thoughts. I may not agree, but it is always my intent to be respectful and to honor each persons right to have their own opinion(s).
Best Regards to you and your Charlie
Just Jean & The Pooh
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 25, 2008 at 12:10 am
@Just Jean,
“there is one uniting theme, we love and care about somone(s) who has autism”
Yes!
It’s the motivation for me and for all of us, don’t you think; it’s why sometimes we may find ourselves saying things rather strongly, or cynically, or asking too many questions.
Just smoother the fleece blanket over my boy, giggling at the thought of school tomorrow, Monday. Very best wishes and a big high-10 to your little guy—–
Cece
Feb 29, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I am DISTURBED how folks will bash anything they don’t know about or understand ..I have personally witnessed the amazing results in my nephew, born “nearly a vegetable that wouldn’t live two years ” according to his medical experts” he is now14 and is near enough to normal that he enjoys a full life..He goes to school in regular classes no special ed. If you see him his only noticable handicap is a slight underdeveopment of the right side of his body.. If his intelligence is to be questioned, He is obviously very briight….What made all the difference? hyperbaric oxygen treatments..lots of them..Yes, they are expensive..but, it is quite possible to buy your own machine for less than a used automobile. To wait for the system to help particularly in extreme circumstances can mean the differance in life or death.. I applaud these parents who LOOK FOR ANSWERS..
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 29, 2008 at 5:21 pm
And we’ve found true answers in seeing our children learn and grow.
Rob
Mar 12, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Is there any update on Matthew after the treatment?
Daniel
Mar 13, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Yes go to our blog http://www.recoveringMatthew.blogspot.com
andreas
Mar 19, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Good morning, my name is Michailidis Andreas and I am from Greece.My son is autistic too and has the age and the same abilities like Matthew.I have read a lot about stemcell therapy and I made an application on the 17.03.08 to this clinic in Costa Rica and the respond to me via e-mail that they do not accept any more autistic children without explaining me the particular reason.They also said that since 09.03.08 the have stopped accepting children with autism at all.
Because of the fact that you aware of all the situation there and what is going on and you know all the doctors and the staff there, is it possible to communicate with them and ask them about the reason that they have stopped accepting autistic children, because I take no answer from them at all?
I thank you in advance and I would appreciate if you could write me back…
I wish the best for Matthew and hope to hear news from you soon!
With best regards
Michailidis Andreas
Stem Cell Therapy/Tourism?
Mar 21, 2008 at 7:00 pm
[…] lot of experimental and “alternative” treatments out there for autism, one of which is stem cell therapy. There are currently no clinical trials underway in the US for using stem cell therapy for autism […]
Daniel
Mar 25, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I am sorry Michailidis Andreas there is nothing I can do.
Daniel Faiella
May 14, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Wow I love it, she did a great job. It is just how we feel about Matthew. Victoria was so great to say yes, when I asked her to write a song for my son Matthew. Click on her myspace to listen to “Godspeed” http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=85631462 also here is her official website http://www.victoriafaiella.com/bio.html
Daniel Faiella
http://www.recoveringMatthew.blogspot.com
Lyrics for “Godspeed”
words-Victoria Faiella
music-Barry Hartglass & Victoria Faiella
Do you know how much you’re loved?
More than all the Stars
More than words can explain
An eternity of telling you
Would prove to be in vain
I thought I understood Love
Absolute and True
Until fate brought me You
If our last hope
Hangs on a wire
Do anything I can
I’ll walk through the fire
No mountains’ too high
No valley too deep
To save my precious child
Wish me Godspeed
Do you know how much you’re loved?
More than life itself
More than words can express
An eternity of telling you
Would be wasted breath
Do you know that you’ll be loved
Till the end of Time
Love like this never dies
Monika
Jun 2, 2008 at 1:04 pm
As a mother of 10 y.o girl with mild autism I agree with Mathew’s parents , because I’m same !
With my extensive researche I came for conclution that autism is a RNA deasise , originating from pertussin toxic exposure .In contact with this toxin human RNA producing mast cell to Vagus nerve (histamine mast cell ) to mucosal mast cells .To overcame acidity and
futher damadge to whole nerval system ,I used Famotidine .
Guess what ………………it only proves that stem cells are able to work .Same with homeopathic vaccine detox( PVS) , it works , belive me !!!!!
Sorry to hear that Costa Rica is closed for autism .Any news about India???
Best regards ,
Monika
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 2, 2008 at 2:42 pm
@Daniel Faiella,
thanks for the poem—hope Matthew continues to do well.
Monika,
Hope things are well with your daughter, too. Are you definitely contemplating trying stem cell therapy?
Monika
Jun 2, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Kristina !
Travel for stem cell is to travel for hope .Even so we live in Poland .So what !We tried Australia , USA ,now ………….Mexico or India .I do not think to try Ukraine !(so close but is too scary!)
My girl is on NuQuitin ( guess what , nicotine is stimulating vagus) .It works , she is great but I what LANGUAGE! She lost her speech around 2 .
Today she is stragling .So far no great success .
Stem cells is something that I always whanted to try , is so natural .I would bring another child to this world to save ma love Nicole from autism !
Please tell me where to head .
India or Mexico??
India seems to be “older” place Dr.Shroff has lots success .I would be happy with LITTLE language !That is all!
Monika
Jun 2, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Andreas contact Dr.Geeta Shroff .
There is a blog ( amandaboxtel.wordpress.com) she is giving lots of info about stem cell .
By the way , 20 years ago I lived in Athens (Greece) so say hello! to Pireus , Kiffisia ,or some other nice sides .
Monika
Daniel Faiella
Jun 2, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Matthew is doing great! That is not a poem, it is a song. We are going back to do another round of Adult Stem Cell in a week.
http://www.recoveringmatthew.blogspot.com
Monika
Jun 3, 2008 at 2:27 am
Daniel , how many time are you planning to go back??
I belive that this is second??
Monika
Monika
Jun 5, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Has someone removed my letters??
andreas
Jul 3, 2008 at 6:50 pm
hello monika
greetings from greece
i will not conntact her she uses embrionic stemm cells
it is against my beliefs
as a christian i do not accept this
i wish the best for your child
andreas
Monika
Jul 4, 2008 at 7:19 am
Andreas , I understand .
Look , try to fing a good transplantologist doctor in Greece ( I have found one in Poland ) and try to convice him to use cord blood stem cells for your child.If everything goes well , we will have first autistic (my child) treated this way this year .At the moment we are trying getting grunds , and permitions from national transplantologist .At the moment I write , there is one child (in Poland) that is getting stem cells inplanted to her brain ( she is a victim of medical mispractice in Poland - during rutine operation she had bad anestesiologist ) .
From this , we will move to CP and autism soon .
Best regards ,
Monika
andreas
Jul 5, 2008 at 7:39 am
hello monika
greetings from greece
a few questions
1)what kind of stemm cells will this doctor use c34+ ,menchimiliar or other?
matthew took only c34+ in costa rica
2)how many will he give?
i mean in millions
3)will he give the stemm cells IV (intravenous)?
4)you wrote that this stemm cells will be from umbilical cord i think from a donor
will he match them before?
can i have your phone number i will call you so we can speak in greek , i hope you don t forgot it
my e mail is
tritonandre@yahoo.gr
we wish the best for your child
Tina
Jul 9, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I have five children ages 10,9,7 and two 5 year olds who have autism. They were diagnosed at 17 months and it’s been an interesting experience for me and my older children. I’ve tried a lot of things to help improve my twins autism, but the most I’ve gotten is no where and when I say nowhere I mean no where. I don’t have any family, my ex-husband left no where to be found and my career as a teacher for special education has been put off permenantly. I thought alright there must be HELP out there for this, but the only help I have gotten is from SSI. There’s not many programs here in Tampa and medicare only covers so much. I have been blessed with my childrens teacher, even though they go to public school, since other schools specialized for autism are expensive. I haven’t been able to work because of Daycare for them, many places say they’ll try them for a while and see how it works, but they aren’t equiped to take the proper care these children need. If anyone out there know of any specialized programs in the Tampa area for autism please contact me at Tina_Marie_5@yahoo.com I’ll appreciate any information given. Oh, and the best treatment for autism after love is following your own instincts as parents and never give up. If I could fly to the moon for some treatment I would and if I could ripp off my brain and transplant it to my sons, I would and I don’t think anyone would have the right to criticize me. As a parent we all want our children to have the best life and let’s face it not many people have the chance to go to college autism or not. These days it only seems that priveledge have a chance and the not so priveledge have to struggle just to have a chance and get somewhere in life and become a good person in the world we’re living in where a gallon of milk costs $5.00.
Daniel Faiella
Jul 9, 2008 at 9:47 pm
That is why we move from Tampa/Clearwater 4 years ago, nothing there for our kids. I know of a place in St. Pete you can get free mHBOt, tell him I sent you http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=0F09E24855A71B08CC4FFF49CF69A55A?contentId=4143675&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
http://www.hyperbariccenter.org/home.html
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: