Liz G NDE

edited for clarity by Judy Shea 5/7/11

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

I don't have in my memory the events that led up to my experience, but I know I was two years old and under water in my Grandparents' swimming pool.  My memory starts with my looking down at where I was in the pool, maybe by fifteen feet or so, and seeing my grandparents there. I don't think I was aware of seeing my body below me, all I remember was looking down at them. (I was so young at the time that I probably didn't think to look for my body - I had no understanding of a "body" or "life" or "death" - none of that.  Yet I do remember in vivid detail what I experienced during the actual "out of body" state.)

I saw my grandmother, strikingly tan, with short jet- black hair. She was wearing a muted-yellow tank top  and long khaki colored shorts. She was standing by the side of the pool, opposite and above me, up in the air.  (Somehow I was no longer looking down, but where my body was, looking up.) Her hands were cupped around her mouth and she was screaming.  She yelled, "Pat!! She's in the pool!!" I saw my grandfather tear off his glasses, thrust a hand in his pocket, pull out his keys and wallet and throw them to the ground. Then he dove into the pool (at the shallow end).

Although in my memory, the events seem be in slow motion, it must have actually happened very quickly. During this experience, my baby consciousness changed to one of a mature, or even an ageless person.  I didn't feel as if I was of any particular age  (certainly not the age of two) but as if I had already experienced a full life. And I was feeling peaceful and calm about the events that were occurring. I felt as though everything was understood and everything was the way it should be. Then abruptly my awareness ceased.  I have no memories after the point at which my grandfather jumped into the pool to rescue me. Obviously, he must have pulled me out and I must have been resuscitated.  

I think of this near-drowning event often - even after all these years -  and am completely convinced that I was dead or near death. It was more vivid and clear to me than any thought or dream I have ever had since this occurrence.

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     I had drowned in my grandparents' pool. 

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    the entire time 

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

If your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience was different from your normal every day consciousness and alertness, please explain:            The entire time 

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      Things seemed brighter, more crisp. But, then again, it was a beautiful sunny day out. 

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?            Calm, awareness, agelessness, immense wisdom, understanding. 

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?           No        

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?   Yes     Things seemed to be in slow motion. 

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     No        

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?         Yes     It was several years before I told my parents, and several more years before I told my grandparents. 

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:            Experience was definitely real    I was too young to have been able to remember dreams or inner experiences, know language, describe my grandparents' pool or their clothing, or how they acted. I was too young and naive to have been able to even conceive of the experience I was having.  A two year old child doesn't see things, think about things, the way I was able to.  It was the experience of a mature person.  It was as vivid and clear to me as any thought or dream I have ever had since. It hasn't changed one bit since the day it occurred. 

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:            Experience was definitely real     

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?           No        

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?            No             

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         No      

Did the questions asked and information you provided so far accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?         Uncertain      Some of the questions didn't apply to me, but there was no corresponding dot to fill in for that. So the answers on these questionnaires, if collected for research, will be skewed, and your standard deviation will change. 

Are there any other questions we could ask to help you communicate your experience?   Yes, have a dot to indicate "no response" or "not applicable."