U.K. PARURESIS TRUST: Re: Beginners Workshop Manchester 22-24 May 09

Just wanted to add my thoughts after attending the Manchester beginners workshop.

I fully agree with Harry and Ian, also;

I have had AP since around '96-'97, not quite sure when or how it started, it just kind of crept up on me and got worse as time went by eventually resulting in me only being able to pee in my own home or some bush or quiet back street alley away from anyone. My full story will appear in a seperate thread when I have finished writing it for anyone who wants to read it.

I booked on the workshop after letting a few possible dates pass me by. It felt like one of the hardest things I have had to push myself to do in life, but as soon as I actually met the workshop leaders and the other folks on the course I knew it was a good choice. Andrew and Mert gave down to earth advice, guidance and information from start to finish - priceless. Hearing it from people who have personal experience of what this condition feels like and have got it sorted is not to be missed by anyone suffering with AP.

Naturally all the participants also knew the feelings of AP only too well, it is refreshing in itself to have contact with others in the same boat in an informal yet confidential environment. Nobody 'bailed out' over the weekend which is another sign that the workshop really is what is needed by anyone with AP. The workshop has given me a great insight into the causes/ origins of my condition and all the info/ methods I need to conquer it (given patience, persistence and hard work on my part).

I am genuinely surprised at the progress I managed to make on the workshop which actually surpassed any expectations I had (these were reasonably low having already read that no 'miracle cure' is offered!) and am immensely grateful to Andrew and Mert for this. That said I will definately need a few follow-up workshops to build on my progress which I almost look forward to!

I would reccommend the workshop to anyone with AP, the worse it is the more you need the workshop, in my experience it doesn't 'just go away'. Nobody is put under any pressure to do anything they don't want to do, in fact you are constantly advised not to.

Thanks again to Andrew, Mert and the rest of the group, I left Manchester with a smile and even checked out the toilets in Piccadilly Station for good measure