During my senior year in high school, I seriously injured my knee in a basketball game. The doctors told me that I had damaged my anterior cruciate ligament and they performed arthroscopic surgery. They also told me I would need another surgery eventually to have my knee rebuilt.

But for me, basketball was a deep passion that I wasn't ready to give up. After college when I was 23, I signed on to play for Belgium in the European League. My knee got progressively worse. Two years later, after seeing several specialists in Europe, I had to admit defeat. My knee was just too damaged for me to continue playing. Heartbroken, I returned to the States.

I got a job, tried to take part in some sporting events and even managed to run a 5K. But my knee became more painful and my leg had even become bowed. Finally, I had to resign myself to the fact that I could no longer be active in sports. The pain had become so severe that I couldn't do a deep knee bend at the gym or even squat to catch a baseball.

Several years went by. A new job led to my friendship with Bill, who is also my current employer. In August of 2001, he invited me to a seminar the Transitions Bookstore here in Chicago. He wanted me to meet a friend of his, a healer named Renee Swisko, who was the guest lecturer that evening. I've always considered myself a cheerful, open-minded person, and had at times pondered on the mind's ability to cause and to heal illness. However, it had never occurred to me to try alternative methods or to seek out the services of a healer.

That night I went with Bill, expecting no more than to enjoy the evening and to sense the energy in the room. However, I decided to stay open to whatever might take place. As the event began, I was becoming acutely aware of the pain in my knee and in my bowed leg.

There were about 150 people in the bookstore, with some of them standing in the back. Renee spoke for a while about the work she does, and how she is guided by angels, spirit guides, and that consciousness known as Emmanuel. Then, she did a 20 minute group healing. By this time, I was feeling quite relaxed and mellow. After several minutes, the energy in the room was intensified and became more palpable. My knee began to tingle, and then became hot. Before I knew it the session was over.

Renee then asked if anyone would like to share his or her experience. Several people mentioned seeing bright beams of light behind Renee and a light that had emanated from her fingertips. Some of the others shared their personal revelations and experiences. But I was too shy to speak out and decided to wait until Bill had introduced me.

We were the last in line. As the woman in front of us approached Renee, Bill and I waited at a discreet distance until she finished. I did overhear her say she had come into the bookstore with a raging headache, wanting simply to buy a book and rush home. But the energy in the store felt so positive, it calmed and soothed her. Without knowing there was a healing taking place in the next room, her headache had vanished. She thanked Renee and left.

While we were waiting in line, I gradually began to notice the absence of any pain. I had lived with it for so long that it felt strange and awkward to be without it. I chalked it up to the temporary high energy that everyone had experienced. As we approached Renee, Bill stopped me, and whispered urgently in my ear, "Donna, your leg... it's not bowed anymore. It's straight!"
Neither of us could believe what we were seeing!

The next morning I ran to look in the mirror. I wasn't in pain, which was a miracle in itself. But even more astounding than the absence of pain was my leg . . . it was still straight! I found that I could now do the normal things that most people can do. I could do deep knee bends. I could squat.

This happened six months ago – and I am still straight-legged and pain free. I would never have believed this in a million years. In my mind, miracles occured only in the movies and on television. I can't pretend to understand what happened in the room that night. But I do know this – it was real, and it has profoundly changed my life.

Thank you so very much.

Donna Zalig
Chicago, Illinois