“I have no other desire than to be able to show the world…
Those good principles for the relieving of man’s suffering.”
Dr. Samuel Hahnemann
Shadow’s Masquerade
Wild Roots Education LLC was founded out of a journey that many others on the path to wellness can relate to. While our individual stories may differ, there is a common thread—many of us have sought answers within a healthcare system that operates under the allopathic model, a paradigm that treats ailments based on organ systems rather than addressing the whole person. We have come to accept this model because of the structures in place—insurance policies, academic institutions, and healthcare—all reinforcing a fragmented approach to health.
During my time as a stay-at-home mom with my boys, the world was thrown into turmoil with the onset of COVID-19. We did our best to adapt, but amidst the chaos, we were also battling chronic illnesses. My child suffered from asthma, landing us in the hospital six times before the age of three due to recurring “rhinovirus” infections. In addition, all three of my children faced developmental delays, neurological disorders, allergies and common childhood ailments such as ear infections, the removal of adenoids and tonsils, viral rashes, fevers, and allergies.
Some would call me a “supermom” for relentlessly seeking answers, navigating a maze of specialists in pursuit of solutions. We visited gastroenterologists, immunologists, pulmonologists, otolaryngologists, rheumatologists, psychiatrists, and neurologists—each appointment feeling like another act in an endless circus. Yet, despite all these efforts, I found myself questioning the system, searching for a deeper understanding of health and healing beyond conventional medicine.
The Unveiled Truth
It wasn’t until December 2020 that I realized something had to change. I decided to start switching out some of our doctors, beginning with our allergist. The new allergist, who came highly recommended, was soft-spoken and charismatic. During our very first appointment, he identified that all three of my children had an allergy to yeast—Saccharomyces cerevisiae—along with gluten and dairy. I was taken aback. I had never even heard of S. cerevisiae as an allergen. As I researched, I discovered its deep ties to our modern food system—a system that, I was beginning to realize, was anything but healthy.
At this point, I was beginning to suspect that my three-year-old had an autoimmune disease. A fellow parent recommended I explore PubMed, a free online database maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM)and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It provides access to biomedical literature, including research articles, clinical studies, and systematic reviews. Out of curiosity—and desperation—I typed “Saccharomyces cerevisiae” and “Autoimmune Disease” into the search bar. The results were overwhelming. There it was—evidence confirming my suspicions. The foods made with this yeast strain were making people sick, and the medical community knew it. The weight of this revelation hit me hard. The foods I had been feeding my children, thinking they were nourishing, were actually making them sick. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
That day, I went home and overhauled our kitchen. I donated or threw away over ten bags of food that I now knew were harming my children. As someone who loves food and cooking, I felt like I was back at square one. But one question still haunted me—why was my child reacting so severely to so many foods? There was still so much to uncover.
Less than a week after this discovery, just days before Christmas, we were back in the hospital. But this time was different. My son was in severe distress—it started with chronic gut pain, followed by an intense asthma flare that landed us in the ICU. His gut was clearly inflamed—his stool was pale yellow, he could barely function, and he was too weak to talk or stand.
Now, I was beginning to wonder—was his dysfunctional gut the root cause of everything? I demanded a stool culture, but when the results came back negative, the doctors had no answers. Frustrated, I turned to the pulmonologist and asked if there could be a connection. His hesitant response was telling:
“Bad luck, genes, and environment.”
That was all he had to offer, displeased with his response. I left that conversation more determined than ever. I turned to a Facebook support group for asthma and sought advice from other moms. One mother suggested I read Dirty Genes by Dr. Ben Lynch, ND.
“What do I have to lose?” I thought. I ordered the book.
Echos of the Unseen
After reading Dirty Genes, my eyes were opened in ways I never imagined. The events of December 2020 marked a turning point—one that would forever change how I viewed my children’s health.
Like a disease, the normalization of chronic ailments in our children has spread throughout our toxic culture. Media-driven narratives manipulate the truth, shaping a widespread belief system that blinds us to alternative paths to wellness. Realizing this was a hard pill to swallow. The trauma of understanding how deeply we had been misled was overwhelming. I wanted to shout from the rooftops—to tell the world that there was more than one way to achieve optimal health, despite the systems that had convinced us otherwise.
It became an obsession—a drug I couldn’t get enough of. But there was a problem: I couldn’t afford a naturopathic or functional medicine doctor. My children deserved this level of care, yet financial limitations stood in the way. Still, I knew one thing: I wasn’t going to let that stop me. My children were relying on me, and their symptoms were screaming for help.
If everyone saw me as a “supermom,” then I was going to live up to it. The educator in me took over, leading me down endless scientific rabbit holes in search of answers. What I discovered was both infuriating and empowering—genetics wasn’t the sole driver of disease, as our doctors had led us to believe. Instead, our toxic environment was pulling the trigger. This was the essence of epigenetics: our genes may hold the gun, but our environment determines whether or not it fires.
And if I had been misled for over three decades, I had to ask myself:
What else were they hiding from me?
Mirror of Change
I have devoted my life’s work to educating and empowering children. As a public school educator and a lover of science, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Biology. Inspired by my mentor, I continued my studies and earned a Master of Science in Literacy Education (K-12)—a deeply personal pursuit due to my own struggles with reading and writing.
I became passionate about understanding the Science of Reading, seeking to make literacy accessible and engaging for all learners. My strength lies in analyzing literature, guiding students through metacognitive processes, and breaking down complex texts into digestible, meaningful parts. Regardless of their abilities, I have witnessed firsthand how these practices foster deeper understanding.
After spending five years at home with my children and seeing their health stabilize, I felt ready to return to teaching in the public school system. Motivated by a desire to create a healthier, more supportive learning environment—and faced with the economic challenges of inflation—I stepped back into the classroom. Teaching remained my passion, and I prayed that this was the right move. Being able to teach at the very school my children attended felt like a blessing.
However, during my time in the classroom, I noticed a drastic increase in medical diagnoses among students compared to when I last taught in 2007. I also became increasingly aware of how the toxic food system had infiltrated schools, affecting students’ ability to focus and retain information. Despite policies meant to protect them, highly processed foods were still being served to our most vulnerable children—including my own. Programs like breakfast carts and share bins, intended to provide nourishment, instead exposed students to foods that did little to support their growth, learning, and well-being. Even more alarming was the excessive use of candy as a reward system.
The reality of working in an environment that no longer aligned with my values weighed heavily on my mind. Balancing the intense demands of a classroom teacher while managing a household and children who still needed individualized attention took a toll on my mental health. The sense of community I had once cherished with my students, families, and colleagues felt different. I knew I had to channel my wisdom and advocacy in a new way.
During this time, I discovered Documenting Hope, an organization dedicated to children’s health and healing. Beth Lambert, the director, welcomed me with open arms, and I eagerly volunteered for their inaugural conference in Orlando. Taking this leap of faith allowed me to step fully into my potential. For the first time in a long while, I felt heard, seen, and no longer alone. This relationship has since deepened my passion for both education and health, opening new doors for advocacy and impact.
Motherhood: Navigating the Complexities of Health & Education
As a mother of three boys, I thought I had parenting figured out—but nothing prepares you for the reality of managing chronic illnesses and developmental challenges in your children. There is no roadmap, no instruction manual—you simply do whatever it takes.
The deeper I dove into navigating both the medical and educational systems, the more I realized how deeply embedded cultural myths and systemic barriers shape the care and education we receive. With each new diagnosis and challenge, I found myself advocating, researching, and fighting for my children’s right to proper support and treatment. The process was overwhelming, but it ignited a fire within me—a drive to not only help my own children but also guide other families through these same struggles.
Wellness: A Journey of Healing and Resilience
My journey in health and wellness has been anything but easy. Since childhood, I have faced mental health challenges, thyroid disease, and obesity—struggles compounded by stigma and bullying. At nine years old, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and at 23, I faced thyroid cancer—specifically, papillary carcinoma. At the time, I didn’t realize how not normal this was, despite reassurance from doctors. I was too young to be experiencing such a condition.
Adding to this, the looming threat of Huntington’s Disease—a devastating genetic neurological disorder in my family—deepened my awareness of health. Though I was fortunate to receive a negative diagnosis, survivor’s guilt weighed heavily as I watched my beloved father and sister battle this horrific disease.
Determined to break the cycle, I became hyper-vigilant about understanding how trauma and environmental factors influence health. The journey was isolating at times, but I believe God placed people in my life to remind me that I was meant to keep moving forward—despite the mental and emotional challenges that surrounded me.
Moon’s Farewell
Within these roles, I have been able to integrate my skills to maximize my children’s development and help them reach their fullest potential. My passion for teaching, working with students, and supporting families is something I take great pride in.
My desire to learn and grow alongside like-minded individuals in the health and wellness space led me to become a Documenting Hope Health Coach. This calling has set me on a path of discovery, advocacy, and empowerment, ultimately inspiring the creation of Wild Roots Education LLC.
This blog is a testament to my journey—the challenges I’ve faced, the knowledge I’ve gained, and the purpose that drives me forward. Please note that the content shared here reflects my personal experiences, research, and opinions, intended solely for educational purposes. As both education and healthcare continuously evolve, I, too, will continue learning, growing, and adapting alongside them.
It is an honor to serve my community in the Tampa Bay Area, which I have proudly called home for the past 14 years. I am committed to using this platform to reach and connect with others around the world. I invite you to join me on this journey as we explore what it means to live vibrantly, heal deeply, and break free from the limitations placed upon us.
My passion for teaching, research, and advocacy has taken many forms—from guiding students through literacy development to uncovering the hidden truths in our food and medical systems. But at the heart of it all, my mission remains the same: to empower families with knowledge, equipping them with the tools to make informed choices—whether in the classroom, at the dinner table, or in their healthcare decisions. Wild Roots Education LLC is the culmination of this journey, providing parents and educators with the resources they need to nurture both the mind and body.
“Have you ever questioned the systems influencing your family’s health and education? What was your turning point? What would you like to know more about? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you want to continue this journey with me, join our community where we dive deeper into wellness and education advocacy.
Yours truly,
Deirdre
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