Edward S NDE

edited for clarity by Judy Shea 6/30/11

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

I knew I was in a great deal of trouble, and that something had to be done. I was trapped in the back seat of a car and my best friend was in the front seat. I was swimming in blood and bone fragments...I managed to use my one good arm to get one leg out and then I tried to get me and my friend out. I could not do it. I was so tired and I thought I should rest. At that point, I felt GOD was looking at me. For years I had been a practicing atheist. I looked at GOD and said that I didn't think he wanted cowards and I wasn't going to change just because I was desperate. Stupid, I know, but I felt it would be cowardly to ask God for help when I didn't believe in God. While I was having this discourse, I heard sirens and knew an ambulance was coming. Shortly, I heard talking and felt someone lift my arm, hold my wrist for a minute and then say "Bag this one too, he's dead".  I said "No, I'm not!" and they went into high gear to get me out.  After they got me out and into the ambulance, things became strange. It was like I was above the ambulance, watching it going to the hospital. Then, once I got there, I watched from above as they wheeled me into the emergency room. It was really strange. Later the nurses told me that I kept telling them to calm down, that it was going to be all right. They had never seen anyone in my shape still aware and talking. I was never out of it. All they could do at this place was stabilize me, and after that I was moved to a major trauma center.  First, I was told I was dead, next, that I would be a triple amputee, never walk again, etc. I was walking within 6 months.

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No      

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Yes.     Very bad car wreck. I was trapped in the car for 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Both legs, my hip, pelvis, right shoulder, right arm, and 5 ribs, plus my temple were cracked. Massive blood loss...to the point where Doctors. said "No Way He Should Be Alive". I remember every last minute, and from a couple of different angles.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    It was pretty constant.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal every day consciousness and alertness?    Normal consciousness and alertness

Did your vision differ in any way from your normal, everyday vision (in any aspect, such as clarity, field of vision, colors, brightness, depth perception degree of solidness/transparency of objects, etc.)?  Uncertain     

Did your hearing differ in any way from your normal, everyday hearing (in any aspect, such as clarity, ability to recognize source of sound, pitch, loudness, etc.)?            Uncertain     

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Yes

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Anger, that I couldn't help my friend, and also after hearing a nurse tell my Mother I was dying. And sadness, because of how frightened all the staff looked. I felt bad about making them feel that way.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          No      

Did you see a light?           No      

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Uncertain.      Can't say I met anyone, but I did feel like GOD was watching me... and I do mean that!!

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?    No      

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          No      

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or dimensions?           No           

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Uncertain.      I felt time was far more fluid in a way I can't explain. It was just so different, it was like it was moving sideways. Sounds stupid, but there it is.

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     Yes.           That my personal wants and needs meant nothing. What was important was doing whatever could be done to help my friend.  And that was more important, in a wider sense, than anything else.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? No      

Did you become aware of future events?       No           

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you did not have prior to the experience?     No      

Have you shared this experience with others?         No      

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?    No      

How did you view the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:           Shortly after it happened, I saw this experience as "definitely real."    That I had lost something I loved very much (my comrade)  is what it took to make me realize the existence of something greater than me. And that was 3 or 4 days later.

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you?            Yes, that I was a fool to think GOD did not exist. I sure didn't keep myself alive.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:            I still see the experience as "definitely real."    As I get older and see the randomness of things, I see the value of FAITH and BELIEF.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?           Yes.     Sadly, one of the results is I can't get close to anyone. I know how transient things are.

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?            Yes.