Dear Lucinda,

I'd like to join the thousands of people thanking you for the help your program has given me. It has helped me change my anxiety disorder from a crippling problem to an occasional nuisance.

Thank you so much,
Paul Hartunian

I hope all is well with everyone at the Midwest Center.

My job at school allowed me an opportunity to chaperone a group of students on a trip to Europe last April. We went to London, Paris, and Madrid. Besides the students and other chaperones, I also took my wife Kim along.

Kim & Bill

You and I have talked before about my fear of open heights. When I was visiting Chicago this summer I was experiencing vertigo even looking down a few floors in the mall. My 16 year-old son gets a big kick out of this and routinely yells "Hey Dad, look over here!"

So here I end up in Paris at the Eiffel Tower with the 3rd level observation deck being just less than 1000 feet high. Years ago I would have just not gone up, but this time I was determined not to let fear ruin an opportunity of a lifetime. I remembered from the Midwest Program to use deep breathing and positive self-talk to prevent a panic attacks from happening. My wife was concerned because she knew I was uncomfortable with this and I openly confided to the group that I did not particularly like open heights. When I did this it seemed to lift a weight because some students (including some of our more macho teenagers) admitted to having these same anxious feelings. Well I definitely knew now that I not only had to be brave for myself, but for them as well. I told them all that this will be fun and we will get through it together.

Kim & Bill

When we got to the second level I thought for a moment "whoa, this is pretty high already." One of the other chaperones asked me if I was alright and said I didn't have to go any farther if I didn't want to. You see right there is the difference between how I am now and how I was before. Years ago I would not have had a choice because I would have been filled with fear and been unable to continue. Now I have skills that I can use to get me through these anxious feelings.

It is truly amazing at the top of the Eiffel Tower. The city is so pretty at night with all the lights. I still get scared of open heights and you didn't find me leaning over the edge of the Eiffel Tower, but I did enjoy the view of the city from the middle of the observation deck. What I think moved me the most was seeing the joy in the student's faces that I was traveling with. Some of them were just totally awe struck with tears of joy in their eyes. It was an amazing moment for everyone. Me, I was proud that I made it to the top and happy there was a bathroom up there. That's a good thing for people who experience anxiety to know about.

Thanks for teaching me the skills to get through this anxious moment and being able to share in the joy with others.

My best to you and yours and say hi to Lucinda for me.

Sincerely,
Bill Schindler

The following was contributed by Rogue on the forum:

I found a newspaper clipping I had back during my high school years... I came across it today... Thought I'd share it-made me feel a little better after reading it.

Five Votes of Confidence: