i have the greatest friends and support system in the galaxy. i'm one of the luckiest people ever. they help but do not enable. my problem is their problem because ... well, we're friends. mary ellen and cindy have driven me back and forth to work the last 2 and a half years. they live down the street from me, we've know each other forever, and they don't make me feel bad about myself for them driving me.

about 2 weeks ago, i decided to try a new way to get to work. to actually drive MY OWN CAR with them following - in case i decided to panic and go crazy or die or something fun like that. since i'm able to sit here typing this - you guessed it - i haven't gone crazy or died yet. i feel that's very positive.

what is even MORE positive is that yesterday - TUESDAY, MAY 23,2006 - the day after i turned 53, i drove home by MYSELF from work. YES I DID. let me say that again. I DROVE MYSELF HOME FROM WORK.

did i do it completely alone? nope. mary ellen talked to me on my cell phone the entire time. mary ellen reminds me to BREATHE - because i still forget the all-important breathing. i talked and breathed my way home.

i've been housebound - i've been neighborhood-bound. i've be RE-housebound. the cycle has gone on and on for almost 30 years.

i'm 53 and this was how it felt driving ALONE - cool, neat, awesome, fun, freeing. i was 16 again. and while i was to some extent scared - who wouldn't have been? - i had to remind myself - THIS IS SOMETHING NEW. and most new experiences can be a bit scary. and maybe, just maybe some of what i thought of as fear was actually 16-year-old enjoyment?

getting better. it feels so good - too good not to share.

to anyone who thinks it will never happen to them ... yes it will.

karma

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You sharing this makes me feel hopeful. And CONGRATS!! This is a huge accomplishment. I have been house bound and got out for years and I'm housebound again but yesterday I began working on my limitation with driving. You experience makes me feel less alone and hopeful I will be out there again. So thank you for sharing such a wonderful message. God bless.

Karmaberry,
What an awesome accomplishment!! Good for you!!IT is freeing to know you can do something you have been so afraid of because it gives you a sense of accomplishment and independance.. Kudos to you!!!

Ladyleo,
Im so glad you are taking anxiety on again, and spreading your wings!!! Sometimes we get setbacks from nowwhere and they do hinder our moving forward, but you stick to your guns, and gooooo for it!!!! You will DO THIS!!!!
Take care both of you!!
Nelly

Karmaberry…

I think Mello Nello used the right word…awesome! A lot of determination, patience and courage led to this step you took…Good for you and good for your friends as well…your pride really shines thru in your post…thanks for sharing it with us.

JOP

Wow--good for you! What a great accomplishment

And you are indeed blessed with some wonderful friends.

Your post brought tears to my eyes! I really feel for you! It is absolutly fantastic that you pushed through your fear and started to drive again!!! Way to go!!!

I have had bad anxiety for six years. Driving was never a problem for me until this past year. Now if I have to drive more then 20 minutes or so I sort of freak out and begin to feel weird nervous and sometimes a little lost or disoriented.

Again.....CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Coco

I am still having a hard time driving alone, but, i know with time and the help of the "Driving with Comfort" CD, I will get past this.
However, I do not have the support of friends who can/will follow me as they live in different city. So, I just have to bide my time and be patient I guess. But, congrats to you on your accomplishment. I hope I have the same luck at some point.

I wish I could say that I'm cured, but I ain't! I have to drive long distances to deliver my equipment. So far this week I've driven 10 hrs. So days I just don't know how I do it. But, I'll share some thoughts. Prior to finding the Midwest Center I had no idea what was causing my panic attacks. Now armed with this knowledge I put my foot through it and feel the pain. I use everything I can think of to distract me, radio,CDs and I replay Midwest CDs. Yesterday I went back and played Cd no. 1 just to remind me of where it is I want to be.
I also do some serious positive thinking. I'll sometime just stop at a rest area and walk around a little and I always keep something to sip on (No Coke!) juices or water, just that movement can distract.
Well I've run my mouth way to long, hope these thoughts will help someone. There really is a lot of beautiful country out there.
Good Luck, Eddie

O..................and the cell phone!!!!!!

Karma,
Hi and thanks for your positive post! Way to go I'm so proud of you! I can hear the excitment in your post and yes you are truly blessed with wonderful people in you life You have given me much encouragment as freeway driving I have still not tried to go out and do. All in good time. Take care and again congrats to you

everybody - thank you so much. i drove home again this afernoon with mary ellen talking to me. it's like i'm an airplane and she's the tower talking me in.

the freedom is so new, so different. i'd forgotten what it felt like. it was something i never thought i'd feel again outside the safety zone/net of my neighborhood.

i'm hoping and praying things will only get better for all of us. i'm thinking it will.

karma