By Geoffrey E. Goodman

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“I need to use the bathroom!” I shouted as several individuals hovered over my lifeless body. These strangers kept saying that it was going to be okay and that I needed to stay still and relax. I recall closing my eyes and hearing the outside world from a distance, specifically my mother crying and screaming from the top of her lungs. With my parched lips I slowly sounded out the words as I heard them, “don’t - let -him- die!” I attempted to process this statement which was quite difficult to do. I still had the notion that I was an immortal being, therefore I immediately sprang up and as I attempted to belt out the words, “what!?”, still-air expelled from my lungs.  I felt a large hand push me down and moments later I entered into an ambulance. I felt  the first of many needles inching its way into my vein and in a panic, I decided to ask, “what happened tonight?” The paramedic explained  that I had a seizure and of course, “Everything  would be alright.

For the next few months I felt scared realizing that I may have to live my life differently than others. I was on medication twice daily and I was told I would not drive at the age of 16 unless the condition went away and or I was controlled. I was told that many people do not outgrow this condition though some miraculously do. Being a 12 year old boy with a vast imagination, I was certain that my condition was going to go away. I set a goal that I would stay positive throughout the whole experience and never let any circumstance get in the way of my life. I enjoyed the same experiences that every child enjoyed, except that when I entered high school I could not play a contact sport. I was short and chubby and figured that cross country running sounded like a safe bet to lose weight and get involved.  Little did I know running would change my life forever. In my own mind I saw myself athletic and fit, something that I did not see in the reflection of a mirror. I started running cross country and found myself excelling rather quickly. I knew a small amount about Self Hypnosis and applied that to my running. During the same time period, I applied these principles to my epilepsy hoping that it could make a difference. I would constantly think about how great life was going to be after I did not have to take any more medication. I saw myself driving and envisioned myself running faster and faster each and every day. I recall something that my aunt had told me which I immediately applied to my life.  My aunt had said, that the more that I run, the tighter my abs would become, and the faster I would become. I thought about this constantly and found myself losing weight rather rapidly. My split times at Cross Country practice were getting better and I soon found myself on the varsity team. I ended up running a 4:58 mile and  decided to continue to use the same technique in defeating the epilepsy. I repeated the affirmation that the more that I exercised, the healthier I would become, and the healthier that I become, the more likely the epilepsy was to go away. I later realized this phenomenon that I was practicing was called, “AutoSuggestion.”  

Fast forwarding to the age of 16, I was feeling healthier than I have ever felt in my life. I remember that it was time for the MRI’S, Cat-scans,and blood tests and while awaiting the results, I found myself confident that my condition was gone. I felt great from all that I had accomplished on the cross country team and was excited to hear the results. I remember the phone ringing one evening and hearing my parents happier than they’ve ever been. The doctor informed us all that all tests were negative and that I indeed outgrew the epilepsy. 

10 years later I can say that this experience changed my life for the better. Being diagnosed with epilepsy at such an early age was scary yet inspirational. Scary because I felt that I would never live life like my friends but inspirational because I was able to outgrow the condition and inspire others. I was able to use the power of my mind to not only reshape my body but to defeat a diagnosis that some people have forever.  Hypnosis is a powerful tool in personal development and if it weren't for my own personal experience I would have never found my way into the profession. I thank God everyday for directing me to learn more about Hypnosis and for allowing me to utilize its power in my own life. I will continue to use what I know to not only excell in my own personal development but in the development of those around me.