Posted by Sam on 25/5/2009, 6:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Beginners Workshop Manchester 22-24 May 09"

I think the fact that Harry, Ian and Joe's thoughts/feelings about the workshop are not only identical to my own, but are identical in overall positive attitude, serves to highlight just how genuine we are all being. This is a definite must for anyone who hasn't yet managed to summon the courage to book themselves onto a workshop - regardless of your background or level of severity in terms of the condition itself. It was amazing that regardless of my being in dire straits - only being able to pee in my own home in complete silence, no visitors - I was made to feel that the workshop catered for me just as much as everyone else, despite the others being unbelievably brave and just diving straight into the gradual exposure like they did. Even though I wasn't able to take part in that aspect of the workshop, I didn't feel the least bit "left behind". At first, I had difficulties even just using the toilet in my hotel room. Even though the workshop really was a team effort by everyone who took part - the "sufferers", Mert, Andrew and Jan - I have to sing Andrew's praises in particular with this. He worked with me one-on-one throughout the weekend, never showing signs of running out of patience, always willing to push me on without making me feel the slightest bit uncomfortable, or as though I was being put under pressure. He even placed himself on "standby", so to speak, throughout the first night - leaving his phone on and giving me the option to ring him at any point so that he could give me a lift back to Preston! I managed to accomplish just what I wanted - to actually be able to use another bathroom - with ease. That alone made me come away from the entire experience with uplifted spirits. What's more, because of what we were taught in the "seminar" side of the workshop, I felt all the more inclined to have a positive attidude about what happened afterwards. I only left Manchester at 7oclock after meeting a friend (needless to say, I claimed I'd just arrived in Manchester upon meeting them - didn't want to breach confidentiality), and had to check out like everyone else.. meaning that the nearest "safe" toilet for me was an hour's train journey away. It was boiling and I couldn't avoid drinking, so I had to get the train back in a pretty uncomfortable position. But, as I've said, because of what we were taught, I wasn't in the least bit disheartened - it's not a failure =). Don't be put off in any way whatsoever by the disclaimer on this site's starting page ("not medically trained" etc), because the fact that Mert and Andrew have been through this and have such priceless and hearfelt lessons to share, really does work wonders - you couldn't be in safer, more welcoming hands.

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