Posted by Frank on 8/9/2013, 10:36 pm, in reply to "Re: An immediate problem"

As a former longtime aviator, with paruresis, I feel a need to make my viewpoint known. She is your friend. Then she deserves your trust in her that can enable you to tell her about your condition. The experience of nearly all sufferers that have made this step is that people do not turn their backs on you. She will be more of a friend to you after this confession! Also, coming back to the original and currently most pressing problem, this experience that you will not be sent to hell right away, will enable you to tackle the balloon flight proposal. Every launching place for a balloon has an owner and one always needs permission to use the terrain or field concerned. The owner or the local farmer that rents the land will know a toilet nearby somewhere! Everywhere where people live and dwellings are present, there are toilets to be found. Ask for the balloon trip organiser or the balloon commander to take care of your need to have a toilet visit shortly before launch. They have passengers all the time and some percentage of these passengers (the women to start with) will often want to have access to some form of urination privacy. Maybe you are already happy that they know in the first place, and they might consider to use the Landrover or other towing vehicle that brings the balloon equipment to the site to whisk you off to the nearest concentration of trees just out of sight. A balloon flight is a great experience, even without the liberation that your mind is ready for this birthday (‘happy birthday’ will be the lesser experience if you follow my advice). Swap for anything that would suit you better, but do not let the occasion pass without telling your friend. And if you find the obstacle too high still: book a workshop; Andrew here knows a way to fit you in in a proper way. Let me correct that: the workshop is what you should consider anyway. You will not regret following up any of the above steps to the better rest of your life. BTW, for Colin and Andrew: I’m still the same Frank from the Netherlands as in 2007 in two London workshops! Still having the problem partly, but: all the time refusing to let it spoil my life any further!

254