Missionary Spotlight: Get to Know OHI Missionary, Salwa Issa

Salwa has faced many health challenges in her life. Over the years she has found comfort, support, and inspiration in her OHI family. Her time as an OHI missionary has been pivotal to her story.

“My life started out simply enough,” said Salwa. I was born and raised in New York. Thirty years ago, I attended law school at the University of San Diego. During law school, the right side of my face went numb, and I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. Doctors told me it would resolve itself shortly, but after a week my condition worsened. I was constantly sleeping, so my mother rushed me to the hospital where they finally correctly diagnosed me with Multiple Sclerosis. Over the years, I’ve had ups and downs as I managed my MS, but 8 years ago I had a severe MS attack, after which my skin and hair started falling off. I thought I was going to die. My neurologist sent me to a dermatologist, but even after testing my hair and skin samples, there was no diagnosis. My best friend suggested I get a colonic to flush the toxins from my body. The colonic technician said my poo was bright yellow and completely toxic from all the MS medication I had taken over the years. She suggested I go to OHI to detox. I took her advice and spent a week at OHI San Diego. It was like a miracle — the wheatgrass juice cleanse completely detoxified my body, and my skin and hair stopped falling off. I was so grateful! It felt like I was given a second chance at life. I came back to OHI two years later to immerse myself in the program for another week of detoxification and education. And two years after that I returned for yet another week of healing. After being an OHI guest three times, I can attest to how powerful the program is in healing your body, mind, and spirit. But little did I know that my biggest health opportunity was still ahead of me.”

Two years ago, Salwa had another MS attack that affected the portion of her brain that enabled speech. “Suddenly I could not put together a complete sentence,” said Salwa. “At best I was communicating with one-word answers or by nodding. I knew a one-week stay at OHI would not be enough to heal me. This health opportunity was too vast. I needed to make this program a forever lifestyle, so I applied to become an OHI missionary. After a 3-month stay, I was able to speak again. It was the answer to my prayers! My children were thrilled at the progress I made, and I pledged to stick with the raw vegan diet at home to continue my healing. I spent nine months at home focusing on my health and I have now returned for a second 3-month stay as a missionary. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here, to serve others, and to do the best I can to support my own health journey.”

As a missionary, Salwa chooses to work in the kitchen where there is no pressure to speak. “I enjoy interacting with guests one-on-one,” said Salwa. “Everyone is very patient with my speech, so I don’t feel self-conscious. I answer questions about food prep and do everything I can to make their stay as personal and supportive as possible.”

Salwa makes time for classes as part of her missionary experience and is particularly fond of one class. “I find rock painting very soothing,” said Salwa. “When your health opportunity is so challenging that you always feel like you’re fighting for your life, sometimes the best thing you can do is take 20 minutes to paint a rock. You don’t need any words. You just open up your heart to creative inspiration. When guests are feeling overwhelmed, I suggest rock painting, and they always say how much it helped them relax and shake off the feeling of struggle.”

Salwa shares her experience as a missionary with guests who are considering applying to the program themselves. “I look at the missionary program as a slow and steady approach to healing,” said Salwa. “I know if I stick with the program, healing will happen. When you have a health opportunity, you can feel out of control. Becoming a missionary allows me the time and support to work on my own health, and that helps me feel more in control and hopeful. OHI gives you a plan, and when you stick to that plan you are choosing hope. Joining the missionary program is giving yourself the gift of time. With time, I’ve made changes to my lifestyle that have become healthy habits that I know I’ll stick with for life. Thank you OHI!”

Thinking about applying for OHI’s Missionary Program? Call us (800) 588-0809.