Chow Qigong Local Insight
History of Chow Qigong in Kitchener-Waterloo
Our experience with Dr. Chow has brought hope, enthusiasm and clear evidence of
progress in a very short time. Our son Michael Gardner was involved in a motor vehicle
accident on January 11,1999 sustaining a severe closed head injury with a Glasgow Coma
Scale of 3. He was in coma just under three months and had an unstable fracture of the
pelvis requiring open reduction and external fixation. He had a urethral tear, a right
tibial fracture, a fracture of the left clavicle, bleeding from the left iliac artery.
His complications following the injury included prolonged ventilation requiring a tracheotomy,
dysphasia and a peg tube, urethral stricture and a left ulnar neuropathy probably due to pressure.
He had an apparent right hemiparesis and had ongoing cognitive difficulties with
decreased attention, concentration and memory. He had wasting of the right leg and right
chest area and swanning of the fingers of his left hand.
Michael spent two years in rehabilitation programs that helped him regain some of his function.
We saw steady gains but as the second year anniversary came and went, we found that his progress
in the area of physical functioning slowed. Little seemed to improve his right hand function or left
tremor. Although he was walking with a walker and attempting a few steps without assistance, his balance
and endurance were limited and tremor often caused poor progress and great frustration. Michael saw
specialists in tremor intervention but was given little hope for success. He was offered a series of drugs
that might help but that had side effects that could weaken his cognitive functioning. We opted for
strengthening programs and continued to look for alternatives.
In March 2001, Michael's "Bonus-Mom" Betty-Ann Gardner gave us an opportunity to meet
a Grandmaster of Qigong, Dr. Effie Chow. Betty-Ann was taking the Chow Qigong Intensive Training
Course in Toronto and offered us a treatment with Dr. Chow. At that time we knew nothing
about Qigong however, we were willing to try anything to help Michael.
Excellent gains have been made especially in the movement of the right wrist, hand and
fingers, elbow and shoulder, right arm extension, scar tissue mobilization and right pectoral
development. One of the most significant changes is that Michael is breathing more deeply and
using his breathing to help control movement. Not only do we see progress almost daily,
our friends are noticing gains as well.
When we were in Ottawa in the summer of 2001, we were planning our next sessions with
Dr. Chow and although very busy, she was willing to come to Waterloo. As a family, John,
Micahel and I thought it would be a great opportunity to help people in the Kitchener- Waterloo area.
We wanted to bring the Chow Integrated Healing System to as many people as we could to give others
the hope we were given. We had 10 days to arrange an Introductory Session in Kitchener and with
the help of Lynn Hopps, Michael's aunt we had over 100 people join us at the Holiday Inn in Kitchener.
About 30 more took the basic training week-end that followed.
An interest in taking the Chow Qigong Intensive Course was generated and on September 7th, 2001,
we started the first of four weekends of learning. We also began weekly exercise and meditation classes
with the group and others who wanted to exercise and meditate with us. We will soon have to look for a
bigger space with such great interest. Michael continues to see Dr. Chow each month for treatment and is
taking the Chow Qigong Intensive Training Program along with his sister, my husband and myself. Between
sessions Dr. Chow and Michael keep in touch through e-mail. We are inspired by the manner with which
Dr. Chow engages Michael in his own healing. Michael has plans for a future that will bring Chow Qigong
to others. His life is meaningful and filled with hope and joy. Dr. Chow continues to bring positive
changes to all areas; mind, body and spirit and we are delighted to have a team of people who are
dedicated to bringing Chow Qigong to others.
Joyce Nunn, Mom of Michael
Check this link for an article done by The K/W Record
about how Michael Gardner is being helped with Qigong
The K/W Record story about Michael Gardner
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