Belle Gibson's Apple Cider Vinegar Scam: Bella Johnston's Story.
Bella Johnston's journey to surviving cancer was anything but straightforward. Diagnosed with a malignant paraganglioma at just 19, her path was riddled with years of misdiagnoses and conflicting health advice.
While Johnston’s life was ultimately saved by traditional medicine, her struggle with the medical system and online health misinformation left lasting scars. As an Australian cancer survivor now at 30, Johnston reflects on how social media influencers like Belle Gibson played a role in her desperate search for healing.
Misdiagnoses and the Emotional Toll
For years, Bella Johnston suffered from severe physical symptoms that doctors failed to accurately diagnose. At 15, she endured a chronic cough, extreme weight loss, and vomiting multiple times a day.
Doctors initially misdiagnosed her with anorexia, despite Johnston not fitting the psychological profile of the condition. Her parents, trying to do the right thing, followed medical advice, but it only drove Johnston further into isolation.
The misdiagnosis, compounded by a lack of proper care, left her deeply mistrustful of doctors and reluctant to seek help when her symptoms worsened.
The Influence of Belle Gibson and Alternative Medicine
During a particularly vulnerable time, Johnston turned to social media for answers. In early 2014, she discovered Belle Gibson, a wellness influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her cancer through diet and holistic treatments.
View this post on Instagram
For Johnston, Gibson's message resonated with her existing interest in alternative medicine. At the time, she was already following a naturopath’s treatment plan, using remedies like bone broth and Epsom salt baths. The allure of Gibson’s claims of natural cures felt like a path to recovery, especially after years of medical confusion.
The Wake-Up Call: Traditional Medicine Saves Johnston’s Life
Johnston’s world shifted dramatically in August 2014 when doctors finally diagnosed her with cancer. After years of being told her symptoms were psychosomatic, the confirmation of cancer was both a relief and a blow.
Johnston underwent a life-saving surgery, though complications from the cancer’s spread made the operation far more complicated than expected. At one point, doctors warned her that the cancer had likely spread to her brain, leading to a terminal diagnosis.
Bella Johnston with her boyfriend Harrison James (@spicyjohnston Instagram)
Despite the uncertainty and pain, Johnston continued to follow alternative health advice for a while, influenced by Gibson’s content. However, her father’s steadfast support kept her grounded, encouraging her to continue with traditional treatment, which ultimately helped her survive.
Confronting the Misinformation and Its Impact
Johnston’s health journey didn’t just affect her physically. The misinformation she consumed during her illness had a lasting psychological impact. After Belle Gibson’s fraud was exposed in 2015, Johnston began reflecting on the harmful influence the wellness influencer had on her.
Bella Johnston (@spicyjohnston Instagram)
She admits that despite knowing Gibson's claims were false, she still questioned her own treatment path, especially during the darkest moments of her recovery. While Johnston never met Gibson in person, she interacted with her through social media comments, trying to find comfort and validation in a time when everything felt uncertain.
Continuing the Fight Against Misinformation: Johnston’s New Mission
Today, Bella Johnston uses her platform on social media to spread awareness about the dangers of misinformation, particularly in the wellness industry. She recognizes the predatory nature of online influencers who prey on vulnerable individuals like herself.
By sharing her own story, Johnston hopes to encourage others to seek credible medical advice and to build supportive communities for those suffering from chronic illness.
Reflecting on her journey, Bella Johnston stresses the importance of self-advocacy, proper medical care, and the need to question health advice from influencers who may not have legitimate expertise.
Belle Gibson & Apple Cider Vinegar: The Deception Unveiled
