Some people should just never try to sing…
Written by a dear hypnotherapy colleague of mine, Denis
Ridgeway:
In my work as a Hypnotherapist, I have been fortunate to meet
some unforgettable characters. Bill is one that stands out
above all others.
If ever there was a man that reminded you of Santa Claus on
his off time, that was Bill. His face glowed when he laughed
and his size would fill out a Santa costume perfectly. He was
a very jolly man who always had a joke and a laugh that
brought a instant smile.
Bill’s son had contacted me to help his father with two
major problems. He was a diabetic, the disease had already
caused amputation of his legs and caused what is known as
phantom pain syndrome. This happens when the mind does not
recognized that the limb has been removed, and forces the
subject to feel pain as if it is still there. His disease had
also caused neuropathy, in both hands. This caused unbearable
pain and limited use of his hands. To control this pain the
doctor had given Bill heavy pain medication. When his son
contacted me , Bill was taken 26-30 pills a week. The object
of the Hypnosis sessions was to reduce the pain so that he
could take less medication. I contacted his doctor and after
receiving his permission I scheduled the first appointment.
I would need to treat him at his home because of his limited
mobility. He was a excellent subject and responded to my
suggestion for relaxation eagerly. I proceeded to direct him
in to deeper Hypnosis. Suddenly, he began to sway back and
forth. Next, came the most horrible sound that I have ever
heard in my life. If you ever combined all the screams from
every horror movies that you had ever seen and added a
thousand cats who’s tails had been caught in a fan, it would
not come close to what I was hearing. The hair on neck stood
straight up and my whole body became ridged. “ Dear Lord
I’ve killed this man “ instantly when through my mind. I
quickly regained my senses and immediately checked on my
Hypnotized client. There he sat perfectly normal with a big
smile on his face, while still making this horrible sound. His
faithful dog who was always by his side had run for cover. I
immediately asked Bill to stop whatever he was doing and the
room grew silent once again. I regained what was left of my
composure and began the suggestions to ease his never ending
pain. Then I taught him how to use self hypnosis anytime it
was needed to reduce the pain.
Bill came out of Hypnosis feeling wonderful and in less pain
than he had been in years. I renewed all the instruction that
I had given him and then went over today’s session. Not
wanting to alarm him I asked if he remember anything unusual
during Hypnosis. “ Why yes, I remember while I was so
relaxed I heard a radio with my favorite song playing, it was
so beautiful that I had to sing along with it as loud as I
could “. Not in a million years would I have guessed that
what I heard was singing. I know from my training that each
person reacts to Hypnosis in a different way. I do not believe
that this response has ever been noted from a individual. I am
very happy to report after Hypnotizing thousands of people
this has never happened again.
Bill continued his treatments with good results. He was able
to use Self Hypnosis to reduce his pain medication from the
26-30 pill a week, down to 6 a week. His life had been filled
with pain and misery. He was always grateful for the helped
that I had given him. Several years ago Bill lost his battle
with the disease which had plagued his life.
After Bill’s death his son brought me a jacket. It wasn’t
fancy nor was it expensive. “ Dad wanted you to have this
‘to thank you for helping him” his son said. It has been
many years and I still have the jacket, every time I wear it I
think of him. He had a quick wit and a smile that melt your
heart, but he was one person who should never tried to sing.