"Everyone has the power to tune in to the divine consciousness within them."
Gene Egidio
My name is Bruce. I am a 54 year old male with Kennedy Disease (KD). Kennedy Disease, also called Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy, is one of the Muscular Dystrophy diseases. It is a rare, progressive, degenerative muscle disorder that affects the motor neurons. It is a "X-linked" hereditary disorder, meaning that the female is the carrier, but is not normally affected by the disease since she has one healthy and one diseased "X" chromosome. Since male children are only past down one "X" chromosome, sons have a 50% chance of receiving the defective chromosome. Only three out of every million males have this disease. There is no known cure in Western medicine.
The disease usually starts with a loss of strength and feelings in the feet and hands. Over time the weakness spreads upward through the arms and legs and eventually moves into the trunk area. Muscles in the throat and face are also affected, causing problems with swallowing and the vocal cords. Many of the symptoms are similar to Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and is often misdiagnosed.
One of my older brothers had previously been diagnosed with KD. Another older brother was diagnosed several years ago with ALS. Neither brother has had the DNA blood test that confirms the disease.
During my late 20’s, I began to experience similar symptoms as my brothers. The symptoms started out with severe cramping of the muscles, muscle spasms and involuntary twitching. At that time I was in denial. I went into a physical fitness phase where I did everything in excess (weight lifting, tennis, racquetball, running, etc.) to prove how fit I was.
In my mid-30’s I knew that I had the disease, but decided not to go through the battery of tests my brothers went through. I began to lose feeling in my feet and then my fingers. I developed heel spurs from the way I walked. I also began to lose strength in my arms and legs. Over time I experienced difficulty climbing stairs, walking any distance, and getting up from chairs. I began to stumble and occasionally fall. At times my knee would just give out and I would fall hard. Some of these falls were serious resulting in five broken bones, a torn mandiscus, and several torn ligaments. I became easily fatigued, especially when playing tennis, racquetball and hiking. After exercising or playing sports, my muscles and joints would ache for days. At times my jaw would lock-up making it difficult to eat or talk. I started experiencing pain in my joints including the knees and elbows. My back muscles weakened and I would injure myself when lifting anything awkward or heavy. I regularly had severe pain in the neck at the base of the skull. My hips popped in and out of joint when getting up from a chair. I also had problems swallowing that led to choking. Frequently I would wake up in the middle of the night gasping for breath and choking on my own phlegm.
In August of 1996, I decided to get tested to confirm that I had Kennedy Disease. I went through a battery of tests that indicated that I had a neurological disorder. That September, after having a DNA blood analysis, I was officially diagnosed with Kennedy Disease.
Since Kennedy Disease is a slowly progressing disorder, it also slowly erodes the quality of your life. I have had to give up or limit many of the activities that I love, e.g., hiking, tennis, racquetball and bicycling. I now have to pace my physical activities. If I over-exert myself, I experience severe fatigue, sometimes lasting for days. My wife and I have had to restrict our social activities because of my physical limitations. I have also had to rely upon my wife for almost all of the normal daily chores around the house.
KD has also affected my business career. I am a vice president for a multi-billion dollar forest products company. Business travel, which is a major part of my job, has become increasingly more difficult. When visiting our manufacturing facilities I experience difficulty with the many stairs in these buildings. My physical limitations often prohibit my participation in team-based activities, such as customer golf and facility tours. I have had to delegate most of my travel responsibilities. Since most career opportunities require substantial travel, I have passed on several potential promotions.
My Introduction to Qigong
In late 1997 I first learned about Qigong from my business manager. He was seeing a Qigong Master in California for treatment for his prostrate cancer. In November 1997, and again in January 1998, I visited the Qigong Master. He performed deep massage and healing Qigong on several problem areas. He taught me four Qigong exercises and a meditation technique. The Master also prescribed a tea made up of Chinese herbs and roots. I noticed an immediate improvement with my knees and ankle. These were two areas where I was experiencing a lot of pain and weakness. I also noticed an improvement in strength. My body felt lighter and I could climb stairs more easily.
The California Master helped me, but at the same time the trip created several logistical and communications opportunities. He was 3,000 miles away from home. That meant it would take a minimum of two days of travel to visit him. The Master was very busy and could only see me for an hour each visit. The Master did not speak English, so all of our conversations had to go through an interpreter. Believing in the Qigong technique, but realizing that this was not the most effective way to experience it, I began a search for a Qigong Master in the eastern half of the United States. My wife’s sister had a conversation with a co-worker who participated in Mr. Chung’s Saturday Qigong practices. I called the co-worker and he gave me his teacher’s name and telephone number. I called Mr. Douglas Chung and after several conversations, he invited my wife and I to Grand Rapids. In June and again in October my wife and I visited Mr. Chung.
Meeting My Teacher
During my first visit, Douglas interviewed me and watched me perform various physical acts, such as walking, getting up from the floor and getting out of a chair. He explained that the practice of Qigong was 5,000 years old. It came from China and included many aspects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Qi means "vital energy." Gung means "effort, hard work or practice." Loosely interpreted, Qigong is a series of "exercises to collect vital energy."
One of the things that attracted me to Qigong was that it could be practiced standing, sitting, in a wheelchair, or in bed. One of the basic concepts of practicing Qigong is that you are not to use your muscles to perform the movements. The key is to let the Qi (energy) perform the postures and movements. If you use your muscles, you are not performing the postures correctly. I knew that I needed an exercise program that would accommodate my expected physical decline.
Douglas Chung prescribed several forms of Qigong Therapy including Motion Qigong (PQQD), Triple Means Standing Meditative Qigong (TSMQ), Qigong Walking and various yoga-like stretches. He also taught me how to breathe correctly. Proper breathing is a fundamental requirement for practicing Qigong. This was especially important to me since my lung capacity had decreased substantially since I stopped aerobic exercises. He also prescribed several extra practice items to help develop my strength and nervous system. These practices included foot clapping to improve circulation and nerve sensations, using the fingers to comb the hair and beating the "Heaven’s drum" to help awaken the central nervous system, and a warm-up exercise called "Lifting the Sky." I have since added other warm-up exercises to improve my qigong practice and further awaken the nerves and muscles. Douglas also asked me to keep a journal of my Qigong experience. Every day I send him a copy of the journal and he responds with explanation of experiences, support and additional practice postures.
During my first visit, Mr. Chung explained that the quantity of practice time leads to qualitative results (positive changes). He recommended that I practice three hours a day. I took this to heart and found that the more I practiced the better the results. Since mid-June, I have practiced Qigong three times a day (mornings, late afternoons and evenings). I average three hours a day of combined Qigong practice – over 4,000 hours of total practice time. I practice PQQD (Lift Qi Up and Push Qi Down) for 95 minutes every evening. PQQD is also called "generalist Qigong." It is good for general healing and maintaining your health. Included in this practice is 30 minutes of TSMQ (Triple-Means Standing Meditative Qigong). TSMQ is a technique to collect and store vital energy. In the mornings I practice Meridian Qigong for 95 minutes including 30 minutes of meditation. Meridian Qigong is a series of postures to open up your energy channels and improve the health of your vital organs. Most afternoons I meditate for 20-30 minutes to release my stress.
Increased Energy and Improved Health
I could see results after the first few weeks of practice. I felt better. I looked forward to the practice time. I could sense that my physical health was improving. Validation came when after three months of practicing Wisdom Qigong I had a blood test. My CPK count, which is an indicator of muscle wasting, had been reduced to 269. My previous CPK tests had ranged from 550 to 813. This is a fifty- percent reduction. The normal range for CPK is 30 to 235.
Since I began practicing, I have regained the feeling in my toes and feet. My energy and strength levels are better and more consistent. I find it somewhat easier to climb stairs and to get up from chairs. I am less fatigued. My mood is much better. I am calmer and less frustrated. Mentally, I am more alert and more focused. Prior to practicing Qigong, I was having difficulty sleeping. Now, my nights are much more restful. Exercises that were nearly impossible to do initially are now performed easily and enjoyably. My legs, feet, wrists, hands and arm strength has improved significantly. My jaw no longer locks up. My hips stopped popping out of joint. I haven’t choked on my phlegm in over two years. I no longer require any pain medication. My overall health has improved significantly. My immune system is stronger. I haven’t caught a cold or the flu in two years. Most importantly, my attitude has changed from one of a victim to a person in control of his life. I am now taking responsibility for my own health.
Another great benefit has been my newfound freedom from falling. My balance, flexibility and leg strength has improved significantly. I perform most of the Qigong postures standing with my eyes closed. I haven’t fallen in over six months. Previously, I was falling regularly – twenty-one times in less than three years. I was ready to retire from work because I was so concerned that I would break another bone, or worse.
Qigong Reactions
One of the results of practicing is what Douglas Chung calls the "Qigong Reaction." These reactions are indications that the body is healing. They are the freeing of trauma caused by injury and disease earlier in life. Some of these "reactions" initially appear to be a negative result of the practice. As I began to regain my feelings, I had muscle knotting and cramping in the toes, hands and shoulder blade. At times my temples throbbed. I experienced severe pain in the knees, elbows and ankles. If Douglas had not been there for me during this period, I probably would have quit practicing.
There has also been other "reactions" which are more pleasant. With most practices, I now experience heat (or cold) in the chest, abdomen and back. Often this heat (cold) remains with me for several hours. I have heat in the balls of my feet and, at times, in the toes. There is a sensation in the palms of my hands, like there are holes that allow air to pass through them. Heat has rushed up my backbone and shoulders or radiated out from my lower back filling up the abdomen and chest. Often, my body comes alive with electrical activity. Several times a week I feel totally "normal" and alive.
Recently, I have been observing my aura before, during and after practicing Qi Gong. During the practice, the width and brightness of the aura increases. The color also changes from gray, to green, then to a luminous white and occasionally gold. I have also observed the aura surrounding my wife and others, as well as around plants, flowers and trees. During my meditations, I often see colors including purple, violet and green.
The Secret of a Healthy Life
People have asked me what they need to do to gain the benefits of Qigong.
 | First, and most important, is that you have to believe in and dedicate yourself to the healing process. |
| Second, you have to have a caring, patient and available Qigong teacher. |
| Third, you need the discipline to consistently practice every day. |
| Fourth, a strong support group, including your significant other, is required. |
| Fifth, you must be patient and remain positive. |
Qigong is not a panacea or a quick fix.
It is a way to experience a healthy life.
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