Ani Jampal Lhamo works as a librarian in a Newcastle college.

"Early in 1999 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It started when I noticed whenever I laughed that one side of my mouth did not move and I was increasingly having difficulty forming words. My body had become so weak that I could not get out of bed. Apart from my mouth being twisted, my eye was closing and I could not eat anything without vomiting. During an examination by a neurologist I was asked to walk down the ward. All I could manage was four steps then fell over. I then stayed in hospital whilst other tests were carried out. The hospital decided I need a lumbar puncture before diagnosis could be made. I was sent home to wait for an appointment for the test and so I went on an extended sick leave.

Apart from tinnitus which caused me chronic insomnia, I was in a state of constant fatigue leaving me drained of energy. I tried other forms of healing such as reflexology and reiki in the hope they could help, but none did. In January 1999 I went to watch a Taiji class given by Sifu Yeung. His skilful display quite simply took my breath away. I had never seen anyone move with such grace and confidence. Later that evening Sifu spoke to me about Dharma and told me that was really what he taught.

Two days later I joined my first Qigong class. Just being in the same room as Sifu is to be around energy. I always left class feeling invigorated and reassured. As a result I had more energy and as I stopped worrying so much about my illness, my mind became more settled. I was able to sleep naturally and stopped focusing on the sound in my ears. During class Sifu would give teachings and somehow these always helped me understand some of what had happened to me in the past and what was happening now. I knew I had found someone I could rely on and who would always be there to help no matter what happened which gave me more reassurance than I had ever experienced before.

When the results of my medical tests came I was diagnosed with MS though my doctor decided he wanted me to undergo an MRI scan to confirm this. When I went to hospital for my scan results the doctor could not understand how much I had improved from the last time he saw me, I could walk with no problems it was as if my symptoms had vanished. In March 1999 I was able to return to work.

The quality of my life has improved since became a student of Sifu, my MS has not returned, I have more energy and every aspect of life has undergone changes for the better. Sifu is a teacher who lives by what he teaches. Indeed Sifu's life is an example of what we can be if we have the courage and humility to truly follow the teachings of Dharma."