(Clearwisdom.net) I am 19 years old. When I was born, I was different from other babies. According to my mother, I was very sick from the beginning and my physical responses and development differed from those of normal children. The doctor's report stated that I had a brain tumor, and needed to undergo surgery as soon as possible. Otherwise, the tumor would grow with time, and my life would be in danger. My parents waited until I was two years old and then my mother took me to Beijing Tiantan Hospital for the first time to have the brain tumor removed. The doctor said that since I was still young, it was possible that the tumor could not be removed completely and that it could spread or regrow in the future. They said they would do what could be done to save my life and then try to maintain it with medication.

I barely survived and was dependent on daily medication; I was very weak. I was often sick and visited the doctors frequently. Mother was afraid that I would catch colds and fevers and this became the biggest problem of my life.

I struggled to survive, and so did my family. My father died young from an illness and left my younger sister and me behind. My mother not only had to raise us by herself, but also had to buy medication for me. When my sister and I were old enough to attend school, my mother had to pay for our education as well. Those days were full of hardships, yet she was strong and supported the family. The few acres of farmland that we had were not enough to sustain the entire family. At the time, my mother's biggest worry was the regrowth of my brain tumor,so she took the utmost care of me. In order for me and my sister to attend school, she rented three rooms next to the town market to conduct trade. This barely covered our living expenses.

There was an empty lot next to our rental unit. On market days, an old lady used to gather a group of merchants to practice Falun Gong and to study the “Fa.” Those who learned it all said that Falun Gong was good. As time went by, more and more people came to learn Falun Gong, including my grandfather.

I was a bit curious, so I asked my grandfather what Falun Gong was about and why so many people came to learn it. My grandfather explained to me the characteristics of Falun Gong and how its practitioners can get rid of illnesses and obtain a healthy body. The thought of having a healthy body really appealed to me. Without hesitation, I started to practice Falun Gong with my grandfather. The elderly men and women at the practice site were very kind and taught me the exercises. I was very diligent and learned the five exercises in no time. After that, besides going to school, I attended the group practice on Sundays and holidays. I also bought a copy of “Zhuan Falun” through an old lady at the practice site. Because my grandfather is illiterate, I read the Falun Dafa books to him. I felt I was truly predestined to learn about Falun Dafa.

Not long after I started practicing Falun Gong, there were obvious improvements in my body and mind. My body felt warm and light, my appetite increased, and I felt more energetic. I threw away my medication and was able to help my mother with some chores. My mood was good and I became very studious. My mother was happy to see the changes in me, and fully supported my Falun Gong practice. Happiness and laughter spread in my family, thus truly corroborating the saying, “When one person learns the Fa, the whole family benefits.”

In July 1999, after I had been practicing Falun Gong for a year, Jiang began to persecute Falun Gong practitioners. Every day, our local police station and administration sent people to investigate Falun Gong practitioners and confiscate Dafa books and videos of the lectures. The officers also arrested and interrogated the elderly men and women who practiced and studied Falun Dafa, including my grandfather. Of the people who were arrested, those who claimed to have given up the practice and wrote a “guarantee statement” were released after being fingerprinted. Those who insisted on practicing were beaten, shocked with electric batons, and taken to the detention center to be tortured; some were even sent to forced labor camps and sentenced to prison. The school administration also threatened the students, expelling students who had family members practicing Falun Gong. The township police department and village cadre often investigated my grandfather, instilling fear into our peaceful family life.

At the time, I was only 11 years old and was terrified by the devastation and pressure. Thus, I gave up practicing Falun Gong. Every day, I drifted along feeling sad and empty. I felt anguished and joyless, and did not want to go to school.

In 2001, when the evil persecution of Falun Gong was at its worst, I attended sixth grade. A month later, I suddenly became ill and could barely sustain myself. I could hardly walk, had no energy, and was unable to eat. The local hospital was not able to identify the illness and suggested that I go to a Beijing hospital for an examination.

My mother took me to a cancer hospital in Beijing. The report showed that my brain tumor had regrown; it was serious and had to be removed immediately. However, it was not an easy operation because the tumor had grown at an unusually difficult location. I could die if the tumor was not removed, yet the chances of my survival were not high even if it were completely removed. Whether the operation was performed or not, my chances of survival were very slim. The hospital suggested that my family prepare for the worst. My mother thought it was hopeless and decided not to proceed with the surgery. She thought it would be better for me to go home and let fate decide. Before we left, the doctor asked that I stay until they were finished injecting the rest of a bottle of fluid.

At this critical moment, my grandfather came to the hospital to see me. He whispered into my ears: “Grandson, you once learned Dafa, and know the goodness of Dafa. Do not forget Dafa and Teacher. Ask Teacher to save you. Do not despair and do not be discouraged. As long as you believe in Teacher and come back to Dafa, Teacher will save you.”

My grandfather's words woke me up. At this crucial moment in my life, his words were like a hammer knocking on my head, and I suddenly sobered up. I felt that the Dafa books and Teacher were by my side. I deeply sensed that Dafa was good but because I had not studied for a long time, I could only remember “Lunyu” from Zhuan Falun and a few of Teacher's poems from “Hong Yin.” I recited them quietly, again and again.

I knew that I'd benefited greatly from learning the Fa, but because of fear I gave it up. I was sorry for disappointing Teacher and regretted it very much. In my heart I constantly asked Teacher to save me. As a result, I started to feel more at ease and I got hungry. My mother saw some improvement and decided that I should stay at the hospital. I was treated promptly, and as soon as my body recuperated, I underwent surgery. I thought that even I died from the operation, I would have no regrets anymore.

I studied the Fa with my grandfather every day because my heart was filled with Dafa. My body recuperated very fast and the operation was done a few days later. It was successful, although the doctor informed my mother that there was more than one tumor. They had gotten rid of the biggest one, but there was a smaller one next to it that was still growing. They could not operate on it this time, and it might spread very quickly. They said that my life was still in danger, but they would release me and see how long I would survive.

The doctor's words seemed like a death sentence. Although I was only 13, I understood clearly that each day was like a gift to me. Life and death were no longer important to me—what was important was that I did not give up learning Dafa. My heart was filled with the Fa, and I would have no regrets if I were to die.

Ever since then, I have given my all to Dafa and Teacher. I study the Fa and practice the exercises. I read the Fa to my grandfather, and hand-copy the Fa. I cooperate with my grandfather and make the best use of time to do the “three things” well according to Teacher's requirement. In order to lighten my mother's burden, I stopped attending school. Because my illness exhausted the family's earnings, we decided to send my younger sister to school. I fully devote myself to validating Dafa in order to correct my mistakes and repay Teacher's mercy in saving me.

It's been six years since I underwent the second surgery, and I am fully recovered. I am now a completely different person. I've grown tall and gained weight, and my physical development is normal. I'm joyful and my family enjoys a blissful life as well. Dafa and Teacher Li Hongzhi saved my family and me.

I'd like to share my experience with those practitioners who once learned Dafa and gave up the practice because of fear of being persecuted. Please wake up! Teacher is still waiting and calling us to quickly return to Dafa. It is not too late now. Do not take Teacher's mercy for granted! Do not miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!