(Minghui.org) I used to have several illnesses before I began to practice Falun Dafa. I had kidney disease for more than 30 years and I was partially paralyzed due to a stroke. I was unable to use chopsticks and sometimes had to eat with my hands. Because I had trouble using my legs, it was even difficult for me to cook, do household chores, or use the bathroom.

I later developed esophageal cancer, which made it hard for me to swallow or eat. I was in so much pain I thought about death. I tried to commit suicide three times, but failed.

One day, when I told a friend that my legs were numb because of the stroke, she said, “Only Falun Dafa can help you.” My uncle who had attended Master's lectures also recommended the practice to me.

That was in 1998, one year before the persecution started in China. My family took me to a nearby town where many practitioners were studying Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Dafa. I grew up in a poor family and had several siblings so I seldom went to school and I could not read. Nonetheless, I was glad to hear others reading Zhuan Falun aloud, and other practitioners also taught me how to do the exercises.

I stayed in the town for six days. Master cleansed my body and all my illness symptoms miraculously left me. Although I was in my 50s, my period came back—just as Master described in Zhuan Falun.

When I returned to my village, my neighbors and friends were very excited. Since they knew how ill I had been they thought that I had passed away since they had not seen me for a few days. They were so happy for me.

From then on, I was able to do all my household chores and even do some farm work! When I bought fertilizer, I could carry the bag home on my shoulder and walk home. That surprised the street vendor, as I could never do this before.

However, I was still illiterate. Seeing my sincere wish to learn, Master arranged for another practitioner to teach me Chinese characters. Then Master helped me again: when I looked at the Dafa books, all the characters were golden and shining!

In Zhuan Falun, Master said, “When you go home and write a few words—no matter how your handwriting is—it carries gong!” When I read this I decided to hand copy the book.

My husband laughed at me, “You barely know any words. How could you hand copy the book?!” I said, “Don't you remember the story of how an iron rod can be ground into a needle if you really focus on it?” This is a well-known Chinese story about the famous poet Li Bai.

So I began to write. I would look at a character and copy each stroke. I carefully examined how each stroke looked and where it was placed. Sometimes, I needed to look at a character more than 20 times before I could replicate it.

Seeing my sincere heart, Master helped me write as if he was holding my hand. This is how I learned to write. One day when I was hand copying the book, I felt as if I were flying in the sky and all the characters were golden and shining. Some of the characters looked like Buddhas. It was amazing.

Hand copied Zhuan Falun by the author, a woman in her 50s who could not read.

Another time when I was hand copying Zhuan Falun, I felt someone standing next to me. I did not pay attention and continued writing. After a while I looked up and saw Master. I was moved to tears.

By following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, I always tried to be better person and not argue with others. Below is one example.

My home is next to a road and a river, where local residents often wash their clothes. One day, my husband forgot to apply the brake on his tricycle. It rolled down the hill, crossed the road, and fell into the water. One person who was cleaning clothes jumped to the side and fell. She said she was injured, but when she was thoroughly examined in a hospital the doctor said that she was fine. Nonetheless she did not leave the hospital and continued complaining about this or that. I had no negative feelings and went to the hospital to take care of her. I also bought her any food she asked for, thinking I might have owed her in previous life times.

I had to return home to study the Fa and do the exercises, so I asked Master for help. The medical bill cost over 4000 yuan (about $600) and I asked my son to give her additional 700 yuan (about $100). She knew my son well and returned home soon after he talked with her. For me, 4000 yuan was not a small expense. Had I not been a Falun Dafa practitioner, I would not have handled it this way.

The peaceful days of my newfound cultivation path did not last long. After the former Chinese communist leader ordered the persecution of Falun Dafa in 1999, the local police came to my home six times to arrest me. Every time, I had some hints from Master and was able to avoid the arrest.

Nonetheless the police harassment caused my family huge pressure. Terrified, my husband beat me and ordered me to stop practicing Falun Dafa. He grabbed me and knocked my head against the wall, threatening to send me to prison. Every time when he beat me, I asked Master for help.

Another time, more than 10 police officer surrounded my home to arrest me. There were officers in the front, in the back, and outside the window. I asked Master for help and was able to walk away. None of the officers saw me. One of my sons said to the officers, “Falun Dafa helped our mother to become a better person. She is healthier and can do lots of work. She no longer yells at everyone and always helps others. Why do you want to arrest her?” But the officers did not listen to him and one officer even threatened to handcuff him.

Because the police often came to harass us, my husband was nervous every day. He beat me, refused to let me eat, and tried to kick me out. To reduce his pressure, I moved into the corn barn. It is freezing cold in the winter in northeast China, with strong wind and snow. There was no heat, but I did not feel cold at all.

In my heart, I knew I have Falun Dafa and Master. As long as I am able to continue practicing Falun Dafa and help save people, I am happy.