Posted by Tim on 19/9/2016, 7:18 pm, in reply to "Feedback from Manchester Beginners workshop, September 2016"

I’d like to add to what John has said. I found it really hard to believe that attending a workshop could be anything other than a bad idea. I’m 48 and have been suffering from shy bladder since I was about 14, possibly even before. I’ve no idea how this ever happened, but have learnt to live my life with a whole host of different coping and avoidance strategies, I generally manage to get by but always at the expense of so much - particularly social things. The environment that is created within the group is very safe, and it’s amazing just to be amongst other guys of varying ages who share such similar anxieties (so I'm not the only one?!!). I was utterly and completely blown away by what I achieved over the weekend, and also feel I’ve made a few new friends to keep in touch with and hopefully meet with a view to supporting each other over the coming months. Having now tasted success and equipped with the knowledge and tools to build on that success I feel far more empowered and hugely encouraged - it's like the clouds parted and I saw the blue sky for the first time in many, many years. Where previously I would only imagine going into a stall in a public place and then very uncertain about whether I could pee, I now see that as a fall-back with a much higher chance of success. But I now genuinely feel I have other options to consider – including urinals for the first time. But I've also learnt the importance of taking each situation as I find it and not being anxious about what I then decide to do. Like John, I’m so grateful to Andrew and Ian for the time, patience and understanding they demonstrated, and also for the more social side to the weekend that we enjoyed too. If you’re thinking about this but not quite there yet, ask yourself one question. “What do I have to lose”. I know first hand how much I have lost out on over the years, but this is a safe environment to learn and challenge yourself in and I’m genuinely excited about building on the successes and moving forward – day by day… Hopefully I'll be reporting back on that success over the coming months!

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