Testimonial

June 17 2001

I was first introduced to Falun Gong about 5 years ago, a friend of mine suggested that I try this Qi gong that he was practicing, he said it was really great. I had been practicing qi gong for a number of years and was still suffering from sciatic pain and was interested in anything that would help. I went for one lesson in Cambridge, I could really feel something in my stomach and my right hand was really warm. I thought wow that’s pretty cool. But I had to leave work early to get there in time and it was a big hassle, I had responsibilities at my job and so I thought, ” I’m already practicing qi gong anyway so what’s the big deal? I mean qi gong is qi gong, Right?”

I had been having sciatic pains in my left leg on and off for just about most of my adult life. I had tried everything, massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, kinesiology, and chiropractic. Some days were good and some were very bad. Then, my wife saw an ad in the paper for a free Falun Gong seminar, and she brought it to my attention.

That nine-day seminar almost two years ago, and needless to say I’m much better now.
I remember about a month or so after I started, while at work I didn’t want to think about any bad things, so I just kept saying to myself, I’m a practitioner, I’m a practitioner. While kneeling and bending over to look at the serial # of some equipment I felt a gentle pop in my lower back and when I stood up, wow my whole lower leg felt warm and cozy! I tried not to get too excited but that was hard.

Now I’ve given blood on a lot of occasions. I even have a gallon pin somewhere, no big deal it’s just something I have done in the past and never heard anything about it from anyone.
After about a year or so of practice I was thinking I know the practice is good and the right thing to do, but am I doing it right? Am I treating myself as a true practioner? I wasn’t sure. My wife organized a blood drive and as a good husband I was volunteered to donate a half pint of blood. No big deal. About three weeks later I get a letter from Mass General Hospital saying my blood is what they call CMV negative. Seems most people have certain anti-bodies in their blood that are dead or sort of inert. The following is an excerpt of an explanation from the Donor Services Coordinator at MGH:

CMV, Cytomegalovirus (si-to-MEG-uh-lo-vi-rus) is a virus that infects most
people worldwide. CMV spreads from person to person by direct contact.
Although CMV infection is usually harmless, it can cause severe disease in people with
a weakened immune system. There is no treatment for CMV Prevention centers on good
personal hygiene especially frequent hand washing (just as it would be for a cold)
CMV is a member of the Herpes virus family. Other members of the herpes virus family
include: chickenpox, mono, and fever blisters. The viruses all share the ability to
remain alive, but dormant in the body for life. Because the CMV virus can be spread
by blood transfusion, donors who are CMV negative are especially important, because
their blood can be used for patients who have weakened immune systems such as
newborn babies and cancer patients. This is why we had invited you to participate in
our platelet phresis program. This is a donation where you would be giving only the
platelet portion of your blood (a component often needed for Leukemia patients or
those undergoing chemotherapy). Please consider this life saving donation. If you have
any additional questions, please contact me by email or call me at 617-724-9699.
Thanks, Kate Grealy Donor Services Coordinator

Growing up in a family of 8 children and over a period of time, 5 or 6 dogs, 3 to 5 cats, and the occasional birds and turtles, I find it impossible that I was not exposed to this virus.
It is my firm belief that as a Falun Dafa practioner my body is being adjusted to it’s original condition. That is just something that happens to practitioners.