Need some advice

[teresafannin]

Hi everyone. This is going to sound weird, but I could use some advice. Some of you may have heard of John Edward, he is a psychic. I have watched him on tv & don't know if he is the real thing or not. He is coming to Dallas & I am thinking of going to see him. My sister said she would drive down to go with me, my fiancee is not too thrilled with the idea. He is the original skeptic & I think he is afraid I will be disappointed. I don't even know if JE will talk to me, but I would love to try. If there is even a chance that he is real & I could make contact with my son, I feel like I need to try. Does this sound just totally off the wall? I don't want to sound like a nut, but I think about it all the time. Thanks for listening.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

I have a tremendous amount of knowledge about this, and if you e-mail everything you know about him, specifics, how he works, what he promises, etc, I can tell you what to look out for.

i will be out of town until Sunday, so don't look for a reply too soon. But I will reply.

Take care,

Dixon

 

[R Nitelight]

teresafannan

I too am a skeptic, and wouldn't go, but I don't know everything.
Do you believe, and do you think you can draw comfort from the experience? If so, then I say you should go, but guard your heart against disappointment.
My thoughts are always with you.

Your Pal,
R Nitelight

 

[OUTSIDER]

Sorry but I must say that I really don't trust these type of side show psychic's, they prey on people who are unhappy and who want to be told that everything is gonna be ok, so my advice is don't go, anyone who was born with the gift of second sight would offer help and solice for free and not make you pay to see them.

 

[Ezzie]

Teresafannin, my mom met with John Edwards on a one on one basis. Cost her a small fortune but she just had to know how my uncle died. See, my uncle lived outside of Denver all by himself and was the President of a bank out there. He was on a 2 week vacation from work and no one had heard from him and that was normal for someone taking time off from work, but he hadn't contacted my mom or her sister at all during this time. So, my mom called the police department to go check on him and of course he was found dead in his home. He was a perfectly healthy man, mid 40's, no medical problems and he just somehow died for no reason. No foul play was suspected, no forced entry into his home and nothing stolen. So the coroner ruled the death as blunt trauma to the head, possibly from a fall in the house. My mom didn't believe it so she went to John Edwards for help. He told my mom that my uncle had been out bike riding (Which he did on a daily basis) and some passing car had hit him. Well, my uncle lived through the initial hit of the car, made it home, and died on the kitchen floor with no external injuries minus some small scrapes and bruises. 11 days after my mom's visit with John Edwards, a man turned himself in for hitting my uncle and said he was drunk and fled the scene.

So, the point on this is, I frankly believe in John Edwards. I was a skeptic before, told my mom she was wasting her time and money but I wouldn't doubt him now, I couldn't possibly. It's up to you though, just wanted to share my story with you and maybe help in your decision making.

 

[Juliangel]

I have never sought this type of help before so I do not know if he is for real or not.

What I do think is, if you think it will help you, then in some way it will. He may or may not help I do not know but if you think he will and you never try to see him then you will always wonder what he may have been able to do for you.

Just remember that for a fee some people will tell you anything they think you want to hear but my heart goes out to you on this quest, I cannot imagine what the pain would be like to lose one of my children.

I hope you are able to find what you are looking for.

 

[wolfy]

Hi teres. There have already been some really nice posts but I thoughtI'd throw my 2 cents in. First off I think anyone with abilities in this area shouldn't charge for their services. At least not for the general public. He makes more then enough money off his show to do the private sessions free. I also have a bad feeling about him. I see him on the Sci-Fi channel alot and always turn the channel right away. I don't usually get bad feelings about people on tv that I havn't met in real. Alot of people have said good things about him tho So I may just be wrong. I do think It's possible for him to tap into a cosmic conciousness or maybe commune with past spirits or something. I don't know that he can I just think it's possible. I don't think there is anything bad about just going to his show. I'd think twice about having a private session with him if it would incure any form of financial hardship on you. If there are spirits I'm sure your son is at peace and knows that you love him. All JE could do really is tell you that. I hope whatever decision you make works out well.

Btw does someone who can really do the things he claims he can do really need to expend as much energy as he has to prove it? And if he does why would he. I guess It might be so more people can come to him for help. But I just don't feel that is his motivation. I hate having opinions about people I have never met. Blah.

 

[Latina]

For a good hard look at how psychics can seem to know so much about you, see:

http://www.randi.org/research/r-files/coldread.html

I love how James Randi cased a lady's house when he sold her a ticket to his show, noted the seat number he had sold her, and then he "magically" knew all about what her house looked like, down to the broken clock.

Achim's Razor: The simplest explanation is usually the correct one!

Go to the psychic for the entertainment value, like you would to a magic show, and maybe even try to figure out their tricks, but don't take it very seriously.

-- Latina

 

[Weird Harold]

If there is even a chance that he is real & I could make contact with my son, I feel like I need to try. Does this sound just totally off the wall? I don't want to sound like a nut, but I think about it all the time. Thanks for listening.

Harry Houdini spent most of his later years debunking meduims and psychics. He set up a prize for anyone who could prove they had contacted him after his death. He also vowed to contact his wife, if it was at all possible, from the afterlife.

It's been over fifty years since his death, and no one has claimed the prize.

I personally wouldn't give a cent to anyone who could not prove they had contacted Houdini. If they can't contact a spirit who is actively trying to prove contact with the afterlife is possible, I wouldn't trust them to contact a spirit that seeks only to get on with the afterlife.

I'm not only sceptical of, but disgusted by people who take money from grieving parents and other relations under false pretenses.

I'm not saying that I totally disbelive that contact with the dearly departed is possible. My sister swears that our father's ghost visits her from time to time.

If your son's ghost wants to contact you, it will more likely be through your dreams than through someone who just wants your money.

 

[teresafannin]

Hi everyone, Thanks so much for the advice, I am still undecided about it. One of my concerns is that there was so much publicity that it would be easy for someone to type my real name into a search engine & find newspaper & magazine articles about us, pictures of me & my son, a lot of information about me. That is one of the reasons I don't use my real name at any of the boards I post at. I don't know how much publicity there was outside of Texas, but what happened to us was the number one news story in Texas last year. I still have to screen my calls, you wouldn't believe the people who still try to get in touch with me, shyster lawyeres, every tabloid & trash tv show in the country, you name them, they tried to get in touch with me. I didn't even do the reputable news shows because I couldn't get a guarantee that they would tell my son's story the right way. I have a few weeks to decide, but I do appreciate everyone's comments. I have always been a skeptic, love watching the Amazing Randy & know that 99% of the mediums, psychics, etc are fakes. I even know how a lot of them do their stunts, I used to hang out with a bunch of carnies when I was a lot younger. Thanks so much, Teresa

 

[Whispersecret]

I'm sure I'm going to sound callous, and I'm going to use all my linguistic skill to try not to come across that way, but here are my feelings.

I don't think this guy is legitimate. But I don't follow the psychic world at all.

However, I'm not sure you are really all that interested in proving that beyond a reasonable doubt. From all of the posts you've made about your son and the horrible void his death left in your life, I feel that you are desperate for some sort of closure, and this psychic represents a chance for that, legitimate or not.

I can't recall the amount of time that has passed since his death, but you still seem...well, obsessed with it. (I know, harsh word, but that's sort of how I see it.) And I could be horribly wrong. I apologize if my theories are totally off base. I am not trained in psychology, I have never met you, and I can't even pretend to know what you've gone through. However, I do sincerely hope that you can find a way to get past this soon.

I hope you don't think I'm suggesting that you forget your son or not think about him. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It just seems to me (a total stranger, really) that you need to start focusing on the future and not so much on the immutable past. (I'm sure you know that, though.)

My point is, if you feel that seeing this man will help you move on and that the money doesn't matter, then go for it. But think hard on it. The money and, more importantly, your emotional investment may be trashed if you end up ultimately finding out that he is a fraud.

I wish you the very best of luck, as a fellow mother.

 

[teresafannin]

Hi WS, thank you for your input. I think a big part of is that for someone like me, there is no closure, I hate that word & I have heard it too many times. My son was my future. I worked to take care of him & to provide him with a good life. I saw him 30 minutes before he was killed, never dreaming I would never see him alive again. I think I believed the people who said the first year is the worst, I was stupid or extremely naive to believe them. It hasn't gotten any better. I have become an amazingly talented actress. It gets me through the day, I can fool just about everyone, with the exception of my sister.If you were to meet me in person, you would never guess the truth about me.I hope you never learn how this feels, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Take care.

 

[Whispersecret]

Okay, closure is a psycho-babble term. (It's like "empowerment," which bugs the hell out of me.) But what I mean by closure is reaching a point where you finally begin look forward instead of constantly back.

Your son was your future. He's not anymore. (Again, that's harsh, but it's the truth.) You have value and so does your life. You have the possibility to do great things and feel happiness again. It may just be that you need more time. I have no idea how much because I've never been in your shoes. And even if I had, my experience would surely differ from yours.

You have to fight for a new future for yourself. I know you can do it. It will be the second hardest thing you've ever had to do.

Yes, being a mother can be the most fulfilling and most important job any woman can ever have. But you can't define yourself only as someone's mother. That's not healthy even if one's children are alive. Have you gotten professional help? Joined any support groups? What about the other parents who lost kids in that incident?

I'll bet your friends and family aren't fooled in the least. I'll bet they know that you're still eaten up inside, but don't know how to approach you about it. I'm certain they're concerned. By pretending, you're blocking out what might be your best hope for consolation and support. YOu should think about letting one, or all of them, in on your continuing grief so they can help you through it. They'll be a lot cheaper than Mr. Medium.

 

[Whispersecret]

Hey, I just noticed on Katerina's thread that you have a fiance! That clinches it, woman.

You have a marriage ahead of you.

You have an obligation to your future husband to do everything in your power to get past this. He shouldn't have to share a wife with a memory that dominates her emotional well-being.

Mourn as long as you have to, but don't get married until you're ready to face the happy future you and your fiance deserve.

<hugs you>

 

[teresafannin]

Good morning. I actually do see a therapist several times a month &am in a support group. i have very little contact with the other families. There were 4 teens killed & 4 adults, if you count the shooter. 5 of the other families are very religious & totally wrapped in church. One mother has refused to have anything to do with any of us. My fiancee is great, but we have put everything on hold until I am ready, he has told me he will always be here for me. You would be surprised how easy it is to fool people. 99% of the people on this planet only see what they want to see, sad, but true.

 

[Yesca]

I went and saw a psychic named Sylvia Brown, World Renowned and all that.
I didnt go lookin for anything. Sure everyone wants to hear someone tell em somethin they have no way of knowing.
What I did get was an Infomercial ! "Personal consultation for a mere $400"
Reminded me of a song actually...
Wooden Jesus (Music/Lyrics: Cornell)

Wooden Jesus where are you from / Korea or Canada or maybe Taiwan/ I didn't know it was the Holy Land /
But I believed from the minute / The check left my hand, and I pray

Can I be saved, I spent all my money / On a future grave / Wooden Jesus I'll cut you in / On twenty percent of my
future sin

Porcelain Mary her majesties pure / Looking for virgin territory / Coat hanger halos don't come cheap / From
television shepherds with living room / Sheep, and I pray

Can I be saved, I spent all my money / On a future grave / Wooden Jesus I'll cut you in / On twenty percent of my
future sin

 

[Roll-One]

HI, i'm not to much on psychics, i don't believe anyone can talk to the beyond, but thats just me...
I'm so sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you, and what ever you do, i hope you find what your looking for...

((((((((((((hug)))))))))))))

 

[Whispersecret]

Then perhaps you just need more time.

After reading this thread this morning, I feel badly that I was so in-you-face. I'm sorry that I was so invasive into your personal business. My only defense is that I meant well. <smiles wryly>

 

[teresafannin]

Hi Whisper, not to worry. I asked for opinions & I am glad I got them. This is such a weird situation & input from people who can be a bit more objective is helpful. For that, I do thank you. I have also been meaning to say that I am glad you are going to see another doctor. One of my best friends had some lumps, they turned out to be cysts. She had them removed & is doing great, just had her first baby. Good luck with that, I know it is scary.

 

[AJPLAY]

Beware of to good to be true

I don't know you and I feel that you are deeply trouble. I don't make a living off of the pain of others. This John Edward does. If he senses your complusion and obsession with this, well to be honest you sound ripe for plucking to me. I don't mean this in a bad way, only as a reality check for you. I think a good pastor, or minister would be a better bet they're free. A counselor perhaps would be a better investment. I don't want to sound like I don't go for these kinds of physics because I believe to some sort that people can do miraculous things at times, however if there was one that was for real and could call upon things at will don't you think our governmennt would snatch him up as a national treasure or at least he would be working for only the richest of the rich and be the best kept secret in the world? People get paid for how well they perform a service or how good they are at their job if this guy could do what you wanted don't you feel he would be doing it for the kings and queens of the world. Not to say you are not the queen of your own world. I hope I'm not putting you down. Remember a drowning man will grab at a straw to try and stay afloat and you sound loike your drowning. I can't not blame you your lose is more than I can imagine, I just hate to see some one in your condition taken advantage of.

I'm not religious but I do pray and I'll say one for you.

 

[teresafannin]

Thanks for the input, I am not real religious either. I do have access to all kinds of pastoral counseling because my son was murdered in a Baptist Church. I am still thinking about it, talked to my fiancee about it & will probably not go. The seminar is sold out, so it is kind of a moot point by now. Prayers are always welcome & sometimes they even help. I have a great therapist & support group, this is just something that still haunts me. Thanks again.