TagHealth and Illness

How I overcame debilitating health challenges and opened my careerpath through awakening to my bodhisattva vow. by JeanneMarie MandleyCHICAGO One night in January 2017, I woke up screaming because I couldn’t feel my legs. I found out I had mononucleosis, and the virus had attacked the nerves in my spinal cord. After being paralyzed for

How chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with deep conviction and appreciation saved my life. by Jane PostonBedford, Texas In September 2012, I started experiencing severe symptoms of heart failure stemming from the rare disease cardiac sarcoidosis. Most nights, I laid in bed propped up with pillows because this was the only way I could sleep without my lungs

By Eddie Mower In 2015, my wife, Emily, went in for a routine prenatal checkup, when doctors diagnosed our unborn son with hydrocephalus. The overaccumulation of cerebral fluid causes pressure on the brain and leads to developmental issues. Without a cure or a way to treat it before birth, the doctor told us we had

by Tammi AsayPhoenix For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with my health. At 4 years old, I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Some days, I felt well enough to go to recess with my classmates, but if I played too hard, I would get sick. In addition to my health

How I transformed a childhood trauma into my mission to create a better world. by Ellie AustinSANTA ROSA, CALIF When I was 12, a boy at school asked me to go out with him. I said no, figuring that was the end of it. Unfortunately, he couldn’t take the rejection and began harassing me. This

How I transformed my illness by dedicating my life to kosen-rufu. by Jennifer Ohrstrom Minneapolis When I was young, I read SGI President Ikeda’s guidance to youth to actively seek out hardships and become individuals of outstanding character. My life was privileged, with everything I wanted within reach. But inspired by the SGI members who

How dedicating my life to kosen-rufu, based on appreciation, saved my life.

by Jim Richards New York In the 1980s, I was part of a gymnastics stunt performed by the young men at a large SGI-USA activity. We built a human pyramid on roller skates, and I was at the bottom level. I felt like giving up due to the seemingly unbearable weight on top of me,

by Debbie Uehara Las Vegas Four years ago, I learned that my daughter, Britan, was struggling with a heroin addiction. My once high-achieving daughter became a college dropout, jobless and chose to live on the streets with her abusive boyfriend. Britan was assaulted and robbed many times, and was in and out of the emergency