Tai Chi-Qigong for Spinal Cord Injury--Al's Story

[Anna York]

If you can breathe, you can participate!

Al’s Story

When I was first developing a Qigong program for a rehabilitation hospital in Chicago, I discussed with the sponsoring doctor the range of conditions and abilities that could benefit from my Qigong classes. I recalled that if people had been drawing lines and boundaries for participation years earlier when I first started doing Tai Chi and Qigong, I would certainly have been left out because of my severe disabilities. I thought of quadriplegia, the most limiting condition I could imagine, and decided that a person with quadriplegia could indeed benefit because of the remarkable power of breathing to revitalize and energize the entire body. There could be stimulation and rejuvenation of the organs, plus improved circulation, better respiration, and enhanced digestion and elimination. Furthermore, the visualizations, accompanied by repeated physical attempts could stimulate the neurological system and maximize the functional potential for each individual. Certainly there could be great benefits! We decided to open the class to all who wanted to participate.  

I had an opportunity to test my conviction at the very first class held in that hospital. The first person I met was Al, a man who had been a quadriplegic for 37 years. Al is one of the sunniest, most positive, inspiring people I have ever met. Al entered into the class wholeheartedly and soon was one of those who were benefiting the most. Indeed, he benefited in the ways I predicted, but he far surpassed my expectations and hopes. 

Even though at one time Al had been able to push his wheelchair, he eventually lost that ability, and by the time he came to class his right hand and arm had atrophied so that they hung limp and he could barely move them. Al could not bend over to touch the floor due to the weakness from his C6 injury. By the second class Al was lifting his right elbow straight up toward the ceiling, and he was excited about his progress. By the fourth class, he was able to bend over, extending his arms to touch the floor and then return to an upright position. His progress continued until he could spontaneously demonstrate a new skill almost every week, plus describing the internal benefits of improved digestion and elimination. The Creation story narrative was uplifting and empowering for Al. We watched his whole life change as he was physically and emotionally empowered by his success. Formerly a person who stayed at home, he became sociable and extroverted, taking control of various aspects of his life. Eventually he joined the sailing team for people with disabilities and became an avid racer of sailboats on Lake Michigan. 

Al taught all of us that nothing is impossible. Qigong became the ideal exercise to empower Al to reach out and fulfill his full potential. It can help others do the same!