Not so long ago my health had deteriorated to a real low point. This was due to the long terms effects of polio, contracted when I was 4 years old. Left with a shortening and weakening of my left leg, foot drop and an inability to invert my left foot, my only recourse seemed to be a life with a calliper and raised shoe.
These aids soon became a symbol of what I was told I couldn't achieve, and a constant hindrance to what I really wanted to do. So as the years passed I became less active. I was unable to walk any distance without my left ankle becoming swollen and suffering extreme pain in my lower back and left hip.
Then, 40 years after contracting polio, a friend told me about Tai Chi and gave me a book to read. I was immediately interested and contacted Brian Cooper at Brighton Tai Chi. After explaining my circumstances, he invited me to his classes, and soon afterwards I was totally hooked!
At first, practising certain moves of the form always presented me with difficulties, because I couldn't invert my left foot. Another problem was my inability to take any weight on my left leg, without it immediately collapsing beneath me. It seemed the harder I tried the worse I would do. This often resulted in frustration and at times, anger. It was at such times that Brian's advice became invaluable. Each part of the form was broken down into its components, then put back together again in such a way to make it possible for me to complete the move. When dealing with these difficulties, Brian would say I was building a bridge to the form.
We know from our study of Tai Chi that many claims are made to its effectiveness in preventing and treating illness. The results of my own experience, after practising Tai Chi for some 3 years now, are that I no longer wear either a raised shoe or calliper. I can take my full weight on my left leg without it collapsing and I can walk distances without my ankle becoming swollen. I no longer have back or hip pain.
Those of you who have seen me at classes will have noticed that I still wobble my way through the form. However with the support and encouragement from Brian, Sylvia and other students, I continue to make progress. For the first time in my life lam able to do the things which in the past were only dreams. I cannot say my Tai Chi and Chi Gung bridge building has been easy to study and implement, but I can claim to be a dedicated follower of this form of alternative health practise. In fact, I have enjoyed every moment of it!
Trevor Jones