(Clearwisdom.net) My mother, Sun Xiuyun, is 85 years old. At the beginning of 1999, I brought a copy of Zhuan Falun for her to read and hoped that she could overcome the difficulties of her age and lack of education by studying Falun Dafa.

My mother had never read a book before, but she liked Zhuan Falun very much. She learned the words as she read the book. After she read Zhuan Falun several times, she started to learn the five sets of exercises. At that time she was 75 years, and her legs and feet were stiff, but this didn't keep her from learning the five exercises very quickly. From then on, she went to a Falun Gong practice site to do the exercises around 4:00 a.m. every morning. It didn't matter if it was rainy or windy, nothing could stop her from going. Her physical and mental health got better and better. But this good situation didn't last long. After July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started to persecute Falun Dafa, and the practice site was dismantled. The CCP forced practitioners to hand over Dafa books and register their names. Many practitioners were frightened and quit practicing Falun Gong. But my mother has never listened to the CCP; she has persevered in studying the Fa and practicing the exercises in her home.

Her Illnesses Cured

Before practicing Falun Dafa, my mother suffered from heart disease, a gastric ulcer, liver disease, and serious rheumatoid arthritis. She had suffered with rheumatoid arthritis since she was only 28 years old. In particular, she had a hard time walking. Since practicing Dafa, her illnesses not only were cured but she also looks radiant and her skin has become fine and delicate. Before practicing Falun Dafa, she needed to wear glasses to correct her presbyopia in order to see to do anything. Now she can read Dafa books, "Minghui Weekly," and other Dafa materials without any glasses. Her white hair has regained its color. Although she is now over 80, she lives independently. She does her grocery shopping, washes her clothes, and cooks for herself. She also often takes a bus to go out to clarify the truth about Falun Dafa.

Upgrading Her Xinxing

Before practicing Falun Dafa, my mother was an impetuous person and had a bad temper. She was also very proud. Since becoming a practitioner, she has cultivated herself according to the principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" and treats her family kindly.

Before, my mother was an alcoholic. She used to drink quite a lot every day, and nothing could stop her. After reading Zhuan Falun, she quit drinking immediately. It didn't matter how people tried to persuade her to drink on the holidays, she firmly refused. She also used to like playing mahjong and could play none-stop from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The next day. She realized that this was a very serious attachment so she quit it, too.

Passing "Sickness" Tests

During the course of her cultivation, my mother experienced several serious sickness tests. She passed all the tests with her steadfast and righteous faith in Master and the Fa.

Her first test was the symptoms of "appendicitis." Before practicing Falun Dafa, she had had this problem several times. At that time, her doctor said that she would be treated conservatively due to her old age--the doctor felt she would not survivie surgery. The doctor could only give her injections to eliminate the inflammation. The doctor also said that if her illness recurred, it would be very dangerous. After practicing Falun Dafa for less than six months, the symptom of appendicitis recurred. The symptoms did not upset or frighten her at all, and she endured the pain without showing it or telling her family. She didn't go see a doctor or take any medicine but only studied the Fa and practiced the exercises. Three days later, the symptoms completely disappeared.

The second test was a headache. She once had a headache that was so bad she was unable to get out of bed and take care of herself. Her children were afraid and anxious. They urged her to see a doctor, but she was determined not to go. With her steadfast and righteous faith in Master and the Fa, several days later, the headache completely vanished.

Another test was a "serious infection" in one of her legs. A yellow fluid drained out of a festering sore on her leg. She had difficulty walking and it was so painful that she couldn't sleep at night. Yet this time as well she didn't take any medicine for her leg. Several days later, her leg had miraculously cured