IN REMEMBRANCEOn Mom | Tribute to Elaine | Messages from the Email List on hearing of Elaine's Passing Your mother was a remarkable woman. I hear it everywhere. To us, the qualities that set Mom apart and made her extraordinary in so many people’s eyes, were quite ordinary. To live meant striving tirelessly, it meant being fueled by passion for one’s beliefs, it meant railing against injustice and forging one’s own path. All of these were the norm in our house. But you know this about my mother. The reason I chose to speak is to share with you some of her life story -- much of it through her own words. She began writing her autobiography at the request of Judy Gorman of New York, who is writing a book about her experiences with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and her autistic son. Mom did not get as far as we wish she had, but what she wrote offers many clues into the shaping of a character that was truly 90 per cent grit, spunk and determination. Elaine Gloria Reichbaum was born at home in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 18, 1921. The family was poor. Her father was not around much. Grandparents, uncles and aunts lived together in the small house. Her mother, Jenny, was an invalid from the time of Mom’s birth, but her love was a powerful force in Mom’s life. Mom writes… “She, Jenny, adored me and I think that first year of love gave me the strength to carry on through the rest of my life - until Judy became ill.” From her earliest days her boundless energy showed. She was into everything, and her German granny called her a Koch leffel – a mixing spoon. Sadly, she was blamed for her mother’s ill health, but she did not accept this. “I knew that I did not make my mother sick, and I think that was the start of my losing respect for authority figures and what they proclaimed,” she writes. “If that is the start of believing in yourself, then it started there!” Many years later, when a New York gastroenterologist blamed Mom for my colitis, she writes: “I would die before I would believe this and, thus, began the fight of my life to save her and save me.” She grew up during the Depression, and the family moved every school term as her father searched for work. From Pittsburgh, to Brooklyn, back to Pittsburgh, to Baltimore, back to Pittsburgh and on and on… Mom never got over this. The most crushing move came six months before she was to graduate from Forest Park High in Baltimore, where the family had finally put down roots. Her mother, Jenny, died and the family’s short-lived stability ended. “All dreams of going to college were smashed,” she writes. She was forced to move in with relatives in Brooklyn and her working life began. The war was on. I continued working as a secretary and sold war bonds in front of the Astor Hotel every night. How I remember the mobs of people at Times Square. At the start of 1943, after a few trips back to Pittsburgh and my Father's death, I returned to New York and decided to change jobs. Little did I know that the employment agency across the hall at my old job, was recruiting help for the Manhattan Project. I thought that when they sent me to the Teacher's College at Columbia University for an interview, I would be working for some faculty member. In two days, they called and gave me a map of the campus and told me to go down 3 flights of stairs to the geology building. When I descended, I saw two guards standing at a barricade and, giving them the pass, they opened the door to the… "beginning of my life." The first person she met was introduced to her this way: “Elaine, this is Herb Gottschall, and he won't forget your name because his fiancée’s name is Elaine.” I thought, "Oh, what a lucky girl she is!" I don’t need to refer to Mom’s words to tell you this part of her story – I know it well because she never let us forget that Dad was her knight in shining armor. Obviously, his engagement to that other Elaine didn’t last. Mom and Dad were married in New York on October 8th, 1944. He proposed to her by leaving a small wrapped package on her typewriter – a diamond engagement ring – on her birthday, August 18th, 1944. When the pilot plant project at Columbia University -- separating Uranium 235 from Uranium 238 – ended, they moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Joan was born in Oak Ridge on April 23, 1947. Five and half years later, I was born in New Jersey on December 23rd, 1952. Mom writes that she recognized signs of illness in me from early on. Nose bleeds, night sweats, months of persistent diarrhea. The awful night terrors began when I was 3. I remember them vividly, then the toilet filled with blood – many of you know the story of my illness. A parade of doctors across the United States, lots of emotional trauma to an entire family, a dying child, surgery imminent, many scars, so let me skip to our beloved Dr. Sidney Valentine Haas, the 92-year-old New York physician whose Specific Carbohydrate Diet saved our lives. I was eight years old. Unfortunately, Mom’s story stops here. The last words she wrote of her autobiography are these: When we started making arrangements for the surgery, I began to cry. That was when this doctor said, "What are you crying about, Mrs. Gottschall? You've done this to her!" I went home and closed my bedroom door and cried for about two days nonstop. It was then that my friend called. On her way to visit me, she stopped in the supermarket and bumped into a third person and told her about Judy. This woman said, "Tell your friend to call me immediately and I will give her the name of the doctor who saved our celiac twins.” I called and she gave me Dr. Haas's telephone number and within 48 hours we were at 91st and Park Avenue.” Finally, to fast forward this story even more… I showed improvement within days on the Haas diet. There were setbacks over the years, but ultimately a total cure. On Dad’s urging, at the age of 47, Mom entered university and began her scientific pursuit of the truth. She earned degrees in nutritional biochemistry and cellular biology. In 1987, Mom and Dad published Food and the Gut Reaction. Ten editions later, Breaking the Vicious Cycle, as it was renamed, has been translated into seven languages. Mom’s unwavering commitment – which is today her legacy – to get the word out and spare others from needless suffering, never abated.
Tribute to Elaine
Have you ever heard of The Butterfly Effect? So what term could be used to illustrate ostensibly small incidents which result in miraculous events? What term would you use to explain the tremendous impact that the work of one seemingly ordinary mother had on thousands of people the world over? What would you call that effect? Well let’s just call that The “Gottschall” Effect. Years ago Elaine’s Gottschall began a journey that set off a chain of extraordinary events altering more lives and generations than she ever imagined. The miracle of The Gottschall Effect is immeasurable: it gave so many of us back our lives. It gave so many of us back our children. It gave children back their parents and husbands back their wives. And for me, in addition to all this, The Gottschall Effect virtually changed the course of my life.
The list of words I can use to describe Elaine are endless - It is very important to me today to acknowledge Joan and Judy, Elaine’s two gracious daughters. I thank you for this honour. You have been selfless in sharing your mother with all of us and for allowing this day to focus on this important part of her life. I know you know how spectacular she was, and to have spent so much of your lives sharing her with us shows that the generosity of spirit that was so much a part of her being, she undoubtedly passed on to the two of you. From all of us, I thank you for lending us your mother. And please know that although the loss we feel is great, we know that you two have lost the most of all. Elaine, I know you are watching us. You will be proud of what we do. We know we will forever be guided by your forceful, nudging hand. We will continue to plant the seeds and we promise Elaine, we will prove worthy of the legacy you have entrusted to us.
Messages on the lists after the news of Elaine’s passing on Monday 5th September Elaine Gottschall passed away peacefully today, September 5, 2005 at 3:30 p.m. EDT, with her daughters Judy Herod and Joan Gottschall by her side. She is also survieved by her son-in-law Stu Herod and grandchildren, Megan and Matthew. The funeral will take place in Cobourg, Ontario on Friday, September 9, time to be announced. Anyone planning to attend should contact the funeral home below so appropriate arrangements can be made for afterward. We have lost a rare individual who lovingly held many lives in her hands and rescued them and was respected and adored by all of us. We must carry on what she worked on for half of her lifetime in the manner she would have wished.
MacCoubrey Funeral Home Emily
I am so sad, am in tears! Monika
It is a very sad news. Elaine was an angel that has changed many
Monika Rachel
Thank you for posting the information that I was about to pass on. I wish I could be at her funeral, but am unfortunately recovering from bacterial phnemonia which I probably got on the plane visiting my kids in NY last week. I don't think it would be wise to make the attempt, and I know that Elaine would understand. Carlene ArnoldThis is so sad for the world to loose such an amazing Lady. TanyaDear List Members,
Today we lost a true heroine. Elaine was one of those rare individuals who, having found her way through her own personal crisis in the form of her young daughter's Ulcerative Colitis, feels compelled to help those who are still suffering. The journey from illness to health that she and her family took was long and fraught with uncertainty. But at the end of that journey she turned back, retraced and mapped the route, so that others could follow in her path. In the process, she faced ridicule from the medical community and had to fight to be taken seriously. Elaine stood up to them, and in doing so, stood up for all of us who will ever suffer from IBD, There are few individuals from whom I have learned so much or who have had such a profound effect on my life - not only that her work literally saved my life and gave me back control over my illness... not only her patiently teaching me SCD and the science underlying it, and inspiring and encouraging me to keep learning and to share what I learned.... but also in teaching me about tenacity, compassion, and resilience. I will forever be thankful to Elaine for having the curiosity and drive to find out why her daughter was helped by the diet, and the courage and conviction to spread the word to those of us in need. Tammy Quilty
I am baffled. I read the post about Elaine's health a couple of weeks ago. And thought I'll write her note. Didn't..............procrastinated...............and now ... Brent S Applebaum
I am deeply saddened. Rachel
Dearest T, TanyaYup... I surely do. It was shortly after someone hit her car... some 'kid' in a souped up Honda CRX came flying around the corner just where her long driveway begins up to The House on the Hill, and drove right into her. At the time, she was going, going, going at her usual pace - visiting Toronto SCDers, planning the trips to NYC, and to England (you were at all three of those big get-togethers with her), and we started to razz her about how she should just get rid of the car and get a motorcycle, because she was hell on wheels... I offered her my knee high leather boots, bike jacket and a helmet, and she jokingly accepted them... but with all seriousness, accepted the title of Motorcycle Mama, and proudly signed her posts to the list "MM" from time to time, when she was in that kind of mood. Sadly, we never did take the picture of her all decked out, but we did take many others... perhaps it's time to update the various websites and put some of them up (she never did quite forgive me for snapping that picture of her gesticulating with her middle finger out - quite by accident - but then labelling it "Elaine discusses her feelings about the CCFA")... ReneeOh my! We lost a true heroine today!! Words just won't do her any kind of justice, sigh. But I KNOW that she will continue to live on in our hearts, and in the hearts of others who will come to know her dedication and spirit through her book, website, and wonderful stories that others will be able to tell about her. Elaine, we will always love you. {tears} Tanya
I just spoke with Marilyn (on the road as a result of Hurricane Katrina and without internet access until at least tomorrow). She asked that I convey her deep sorrow at the news of Elaine's passing. I've had a number of conversations with people tonight - both online and on the phone, and while talking to Marilyn about them and about Elaine, we were both struck by two common threads in every conversation - the fact that each person expressed the profound impact Elaine had on their lives, and that each person spoke of the total impact Elaine and her work had on her world. She left the world a better place for her having been with us - too rare a Many on the list have written of tears tonight. Despite our sadness at losing Elaine, please, let them also be tears of joy for the gift she gave us and life she lived. As Marilyn said, it is a life worthy of celebration. Marjan van Hamond-Ernens
I just read the notice on Elaines passing , and I am so terribly sad . Also for me , here in Holland her teaching SCD saved my life in more ways than James Ewing
Another post expressing sadness and inexpressible gratitude for Elaine and all she has done for so many of us. Her work remains a powerful reminder of how we can, I am beginning to think must, take responsibility for the health of our bodies, finding solutions ourselves and move out of dependence on current medical paradigms. DeboraI was hoping she would live long enough to see SCD become more mainstream. At least a good study to prove its merits and have the medical community stop saying that food has nothing to do with these diseases. Rachel or t, do you know if there is something or someone (or multiple people) continuing her fight? Who will replace her on the lecture circuit? I'm wondering what we can do to continue to push for more research, to continue to get the word out. I'm hoping she organized her research foundation or has all of this in place. I know there are enough of us that are improving/have improved in order to continue the fight in an underground way. Yet I can't help feel that more could be done. Someone suggested that if CCFA were to be in charge of a study, they would intentionally manipulate it in order to discredit the diet. (Too much power amongst the pharmaceutical giants.) And to petition them to do something would result in evil failure. (my words) So I'm wondering where to go with it all. We need an article at the very least, to announce her passing, and the incredible fight she spent her lifetime to achieve. And how many thousands of people have been saved by her. If she cannot be alive to say "I told you so", at least we can continue her fight so her work can be reached to all those suffering willing to try a diet. What should we do now? Is there an organized front to replace her? I'm ready to fight, I just don't know where to direct my anger. Debora Rachel
Dear Deborah,
LorraineWell said Debora! I myself have been on SCD for almost 2 months now and have seen such a dramatic improvement that I thank God for Elaine & having found her book, every day! Though I did not know her, I am saddened by her passing, and hope we as a collective group can continue to share and promote her life's work. May she rest in peace. Cos
I would like to offer my condolences to Elaine's family and friends. I only knew her through her book and through those here that would speak of her from time to time. Her work got me through a very difficult time. Ultimately, I ended up with a very healthy lifestyle and healing. When we face doctors that just offer tests and pills, Elaine mapped out a diet that puts your health under your own control. It has been working well for me, and I can't be thankful enough!! Eugenia
From Spain, I want also to share with the list my deep sadness. Elaine, with her book, helped me as she did with many of you. I'll be grateful for ever and she will be in my memory for the rest of my life. I also think that we all are the ones to continue the fight, just talking to people, just being healthy and alive, all over the world…We have the strength that Elaine's model gives us. I like the idea of the grassroots movement. MannyI too offer my condolences. What a great loss. The only thing to do is to keep on going with her "healthy healing" and keep getting out there. To other patients who are willing, to doctors who are open to hear and see the positive results. There is always someone listening....the main task is not to give up! YasminI express my deepest condolences for a huge loss of our Dearest Elaine. Pray for her soul may rest in eternal peace. DeniseHere is how I deal each day with having Crohn's needing to be on the diet, and now without elaine to guide us. I think of this saying.
A PEARL is a beautiful and valuable item that starts out as an IRRITATION to the clam. It is covered by multiple layers of calcium that only the CLAM can I truly believe that ultimaltley we must heal ourselves. It is a journey that you take mostly alone. Others comfort and encourage you but the choice to do it, and the person accountable for your actions is always you and only you. It did seem like we needed elaine for everything, but she has left us her gift, and the best way to remember her, and I think what she would want is to pass on information and support to someone who has not yet started the diet. Can you think of a better gesture to commemorate her life? Andrea O. K. Wright
Like many of you, I cried when I saw Carol's email about Elaine. I am
In line with Marilyn and t's conversation, however, I want to share a poem To Elaine Gottschall, Nutritional Nanny
"Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
Your way is so much better,
the medicine itself
The medicine can be
I picture delighted med school students
I picture the return of
I see SCD ice cream sundaes on the counter, Sabine MagdalenaAndrea,
I have always loved Mary Poppins, and since she will forever remain a great
"Just a spoonful of honey helps the medicine go down
In many cases, me too, meds are no longer needed. That's the way I like it. And there is some other happy SCD-tune:
"I don't want no sugar in my coffee
What they just played on the radio was this, and I'll stick to it SCD-wise,
I Won't Back Down
Well I won't back down
Chorus:
Well I know what's right, I got just one life
(I won't back down...)
(I won't back down...) Thank you for your poetry, this is real comfort. I won't clip this mail, and I won't back down. LisaI would like to express my deepest sorrow on Elaine's passing and my enormous gratitude for her work in helping others and myself live a normal life. She will be sorely missed and & remembered dearly. I hope there exists others who will carry on the scrupulous work she devoted so much of herself to. My condolences to her family, friends, and all of us. DavidI wanted to say something else to Debora, about her petition to the ccfa. And then I saw the news about Elaine! I personally am awestruck, I surely hope that amongs the ranks will come a champion. To carry on her great work. I know that God holds a special place for Elaine! My condolences go out to her family and loved ones! GailIt was with sadness that I read about Elaine's passing. What a wonderful legacy she has left to the world! ShondaI will forever be grateful for all I have learned from Elaine. Her work contributed to my life (and continues to do so) in such a huge way. I never knew her personally, but her presence on Earth made a huge difference in my life. I know she touched many other lives as well. Thank you Elaine! Mercedes
Somewhere I read (maybe in Embraced by the Light?) That when we arrive in heaven we have the opportunity to see how our lives, our actions, our choices have impacted others. It's sort of like watching a movie with many,many plotlines, each one somehow connecting to something we said, or did (or failed to do). If this is true, then Elaine's movie will be several thousand reels long. RobynAs I get older, the deeper the meaning the harder it is for me to find adequate words. words really cannot express how meaningful Elaines work has been for my daughter's life. I am sure that Elaine is deservedly with angels. Heartfelt best wishes to all who mourn her passing. She was an amazing woman who has influenced for the better countless lives. If anyone is working on getting some pr done for the foundation and its goals, I am glad to help. Pat LattanzioElaine's Miracle
Many years ago Pat LattanzioI sent this to Elaine a few years ago but feel the need to send it to the list at this time since I'm sure many parents can relate to it. Elaine will surely be missed!!!! Pat Lattanzio
I sit beside him Thank you, Elaine! MD
Elaine helped so many children around the world.. My daughter is one of those. If it wasn't for her who knows where our daughter might be. Elaine unselfishly gave of her time ... as I remember a few short years ago, that she herself was on the computer answering questions!! She was, and will always be remembered, as a wonderful human being that helped so many people. She did so with grace and fortitude - even when the medical establishment said she was wrong. HazelponeWhat a sad day. I just read this and was very sad. I had just introduced a buddy of mine to SCD and it is making her feel better already. One of my greatest admirations of Elaine was that, unlike many other 'diets', 'programs', etc. she would tell people if she didn't think it was working for them so they could move on. She told the truth, and after the SCDiet, this was her second greatest gift. Seeing that her primary concern was people, not profit, made me trust her and her diet more, it also helped me to understand my body better. The fact that she gave individual attention, answering emails phone calls, et. impressed me even more. As I told many people about the diet over the years, these are the things I told them many times as I explained the difference between Elaine and others offering help for bowel diesase.
Even though Elaine is gone, her work will live on for all of us. To quote Rachel:"Im sorry for your loss.....and mine" Rob.Absolute tragedy. Without Elaine I'd have (at best) been under the knife years ago. She'll never be forgotten, not by myself nor by the countless thousands of people worldwide who benefited from her work. My condolences to her family, Rob. PoppetMy thoughts are with her family at this sad sad time, love Poppet xxx GaryMy love goes out to her family. Thank you for everything Elaine :) LukeI don't think words can express how much Elaine has done to change my life, and given me back some of the things I thought I'd lost forever. My thoughts are with her family. KateI am so sorry to hear this. She has done so much good. Just today I told a lady with an autistic child about Elaine's book and she was so relieved to find something that may help. I send my loving thoughts and sympathy to her family. Thankyou. ullaHeartbroken and with sadness that can't find words I'd like to join in the thoughts by Luke below, that is exactly how I'm feeling at the moment. Elaine gave me my life back, how can one ever, ever, thank enough...Her memory and work goes on, in all of of us. ArtfulI'm SO sorry to hear of Elaine's passing!!! What a blessing this dear woman was to me though I never met her. Only yesterday I went to a dermatologist about my longstanding facial rash and knew as he was diagnosing it that he was only spouting the medical party line and doesn't really have a clue. That's the very reason I hadn't gone to a dermatologist sooner. I KNEW that they don't have a clue. Thanks to y'all I've seen a dramatic improvement in my rash using the SCD, topical antifungals, and cultured cabbage juice. I made the appt. 2 months ago and by now it was virtually gone. If I'd had my wits about me on Friday I'd have cancelled the appt. but didn't think to and, of course, Monday was a holiday - so I had to go. I very nicely TOLD the poor ignorant fool of an m.d. what the diagnosis is, what had helped, etc., and he interrupted me to say that, no, it's rosacea -- which is an inflamation, probably geneticly passed on, and the treatment is steroids and antibiotics. I asked what CAUSED it -- well, they don't know... I had TOLD him what caused it!!! Bad g.i. flora!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Honeys, there are none so blind as those who will not see... and they may NEVER see. The person waiting to see him after me was a cute young drug saleswoman. My cultured cabbage juice costs me less than $15/month so no drug company will research THAT!!! Thank You, God, for Elaine! Due to her generosity I will probably never need to use his expensive prescriptions 'cause I think with her nutritional regimen the rash is leaving never to return. Blessings, Artful ferna
Pat, MMallet
Pat,
MMallet UC 3+yrs
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I had UC for 9 years untill recently. Following this diet from Aug 2002. Symptoms free, thanks to Elaine that she shared her wisdom in this book.
- Katerina Amazon customer 
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