Thank You Justin & TCC

T’ai Chi Chih has changed my life in so many ways. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 and the chemotherapy I received left me with numb feet and partial numbness in my legs. My balance became less steady by the day. I knew about the TCC class at my local Cancer Wellness Center, but I was still teaching full time and unable to make the class on Wednesday mornings.

At age 60 I retired early. I was having more trouble walking and fell one or two times a week. My oncologist reminded me that I was now free to attend classes at the Wellness Center. So I started TCC with Donna McElhose, which was a turning point. I began doing seated TCC because my knees were arthritic and my balance so bad. I could not believe the change. After six months of taking the weekly class and practicing at home, I realized I had not fallen recently.

For the next two years Donna pushed a number of us to move to the intermediate class. By then I’d had bilateral knee replacements and missed about six weeks of class. I could not practice normally, but Donna suggested doing it mentally, which worked out very well. My therapist was amazed how quickly I progressed.

Returning to class was absolute joy. Not only had TCC become a part of my life, so had my classmates. Within a month, I started doing more standing TCC. When I completed my first standing practice, the class burst into applause. I had found a home for my heart and soul. The group has been together almost six years (we call ourselves the “Circle of Lights”), and I am not the same person. Justin Stone has given me the gift of mobility without fear. I can walk without falling. My feet are still numb, but during TCC practice I have some feeling in them.

As a Professor Emerita of Nursing, I have noticed other health benefits. Although I was on a medication known to cause bone density loss, with TCC my bone density has improved. Instead of the bony breakdown in my wrists from psoriatic arthritis, my latest x-rays showed remodeling of the bone. My rheumatologist is amazed. I have also noticed fewer colds and minor illnesses.

Thanks to Justin, whom we all came to know through Donna’s teaching, I have my life back. It is a wonderful feeling. I will never stop my practice and growth.