Hi my name is Susie

[drsusieq]

Hi everyone...I am in my early-50's, two grown children, wonderful husband of 33 years who supports this work (but with is no fun to drive with). I had a panic attack on the freeway with a load full of kids 10+ years ago and now am committed to relieving myself of this anxiety. My safe place is on the beach in Maui, playing catch with the waves, soaking up the sun, showering off all the sand, the smell of plumerias, and enjoying the most beautiful sunsets.

[Lupe]

Hi Susie (that's my sister's name),

My name is Lupe and I'm not much younger than you, I'm 47 but I have 3 young children (and a young husband :D ) Your safe place sounds great. Are you doing the exercises? How far can you drive? I'm so glad that Rich set this up and I hope that others jump in. I think about my limits daily and I just want to get on with it. I went to a couple of therapists and a physician but nothing happened. This program really makes sense and I believe in it.

I hate having these fears and the memories of anxiety, and I know there's nothing to fear but fear itself! (I know that, I know that, I know that)

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Warmly,
Lupe

[Rich-Admin]

Hi Susie,
Welcome! I don't know what a plumeria is but I bet it smells wonderful ;)
With a committed attitude like yours there's no reason you won;t do great!

Rich

[Fiore]

Hi,

My name isn't actually Fiore, but so you know, Fiore is the Italian word for flower. I did think about calling myself Monday Rose, but thought I'd pass on that one!!

I'm early 50's with two terrific children. Neither of them live with me but my cooking can't be that bad because they visit often. My fear of driving has been going on for 13 years and throughout that time have managed to remain functional ... getting the kids to school, myself to work, etc, but now I feel determined to break down the barriers that I have allowed myself to create. I haven't been on a freeway/highway for 13 years, nor have I managed to drive over 60 klm/hr (is that 35 miles p/h). I have been using the Driving Program for about a month now, and although progress is slow, it's steadily heading in the right direction.

My safe place is floating in the pool (I live in the sub-tropics, so plenty of swimming season in our year), enjoying the smell of whatever is flowering on the nearby trees, the sound of birds, the warm sun on my face. To float, you have to be in a totally relaxed state, and it helps to remind me that if I can float, I'm capable of letting my entire body be in a relaxed state.

Rich is to be congratulated for getting this site up and running and I hope we users enthusiastically run with it.

Fiore

[jjfree]

I am 47 and dealing with the boo voice of fear for 18 years. I am also very functional. I have wonderful friends and loved ones who enjoy driving and taking me places. I hike, I ski, travel. I am never the driver. We are often taking my car though. I often wander if I bought a car that I love, perhaps it would help me get more motivated. I had asked Rich if he had heard if anyone loved a particular SUV over another(I know gas is huge, though, I do go to the mts in the winter, so need 4 wheel). Does anyone have any suggestions? I have a Jeep where it does not have any side air bags, rollover is higher, so of course I fret about this. I know it is "within" us(the fear), not about the outside. Lord knows, I am always fretting about: the other drivers, who is behind me, the endless road; I could go on and on about the irrational thoughts that come about with every little thing. But, I think you all understand. I know we are very creative with our thinking. smart, competent people with active imaginations. I am ready to move on from this.

[Rich-Admin]

I don't remember the SUV question, and with the gas prices being what they are, I'm trying to talk my wife into a minivan when her lease is up, but I really like the Acura RDX. My wife and I both had Jeeps and had bad luck with them. The Ford Escpae Hybrid also gets nice mileage and I think it's pretty nice.

Rich

[drsusieq]

What if we all go the the image of a "red sock" floating in a pool, totally relaxed, no static cling...melting away to relaxation.
I like that image.

[Lana]

I just bought a Dodge Journey and I love it. I had my car for ten years, and I felt like some of my anxiety was related to my car because it was the vehicle I was in when I had my panic attack. I am enjoying my new vehicle and would suggest to anyone that the most important thing is to find a vehicle that you are comfortable with and can see out of really good. I think this helps because it takes other pressures of driving off from you. Good luck to you!