I Have A Phobia

Yes

I have a Phobia

In my first tell all post

I am admitting to the fact that I have a full blown case of

CLAUSTROPHOBIA

It all began years ago

I always would have that feeling in tight places

I would think to myself

I really don't like this

but it never really affected me

until

I was on an elevator that

FELL

Yes, it fell about 12 floors before the brakes caught

I was in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl

The Berry cheerleaders

of which Courtney was a member

were a part of the half time show

We were staying on the 18th floor of a hotel

When I got on the elevator it was empty

I went down 2 floors and a security guard got on

We went down a few more floors and around 15 band members got on

I was pushed to the back wall

I remember someone asking the security guard if we were over loaded

he replied

YES

About that time the elevator just started dropping

The doors would slam open and shut at every floor

and

we were going so fast that it was just a continual open and shut

That part is a blur

Everyone was screaming

as the brakes started trying to catch

The elevator stopped about a foot below the lobby floor

The lights went out and everyone was still screaming

It seemed like all the air was sucked out of that elevator

The guard yelled for everyone to be quiet so he could call for help

I really don't remember a lot after that

except

that I reached through all those kids

grabbed the arm of the guard

and

told him to get me off now

He must have believed me

because after begging me not to

he lifted me up where I could climb through that small space to the lobby

I remember a friend that saw me right afterwards said my face was beet red

I climbed the 18 flights of steps after that everyday

AND

I have been climbing the steps everywhere we went since then

BUT

last October I decided I was tired of the Phobia ruling my life

it was getting worse and was affecting me in other parts of my life

I was tired of my friends having to change things because of my Phobia

So

I, luckily, found a great doctor in Tuscaloosa

he helped me get over my Phobia

Now

it is still there

But

I have it under control

and it is a great feeling

So

while
I was on the church youth beach trip

one activity was a message on the refrigerator everyday

the kids (and us) responded to whatever the question was

It did my heart good to see this written on the frig that day

I Love You Central kids!