My First Ghost Story

 

My First Ghost Story

It began with mom and dad cleaning out the closed off room in our 100 year old farm house.  I was five, but it seemed like yesterday.  I peeked inside this once sealed room to see thick dust over old dressers and cob webs everywhere.  It was like the movie "Child of Glass" when they entered the old abandoned farm house.  What made it so odd, was this room had not just been closed, but painted and nailed closed.  I asked once, but there was no answer as to why.

When I first entered the room under restoration, it felt like an ice box and scared me terribly.  It wasn't too long before my sister and I had to sleep in there on our bunk beds.  That was the last time I rested at night.  I felt like I was being watched from the foot of my bed near the window.  I even put my pillow down there so I wouldn't feel my imagination staring at me.  That made it worse, and I slept with the covers over my head.  Not long after that I felt an especially strong urge to look at the corner of my bed, only to see an elderly woman with big curly gray hair in a black high collar dress.  She was not family.  I can only guess she lived in the home with the original owners.  She wasn't mean, but very stern.  I now she looked after me, but I still couldn't rest knowing I was being watched.

When I was in my early teens, I was given the option of moving into the front tiny bedroom or staying in that large one by myself.  To my parents surprise, I jumped at the chance to leave the room.

I don't know how long after it was that the dreams of a fire began.  Our whole family got out every time, but the fire was always in the same place. When I asked about the fire in the kitchen downstairs, my mom turned white.  She had never spoken of it.  I begged her to tell me what she knew.  She made me tell her why I was asking and every detail of my daily dream.  She still had no colour.

She finally confirmed that there was a fire exactly were I told her and to stop asking questions about it.  It was made clear that my "vision" was unacceptable.

I struggled through many years of growing and seeing things that I knew to be glimpses of the past or future.  It wouldn't be until I was over 30 until I found a way to share what I saw routinely.

This is why I have such passion for helping children and families with unexplainable events.  Nobody needs to live in fear by themselves.  They could have taught me how to figure out that some of what I heard, was just an old creaky house.  Now we have an amazing relationship and I would not have changed a thing in how they raised me.  It made me who I am and able to help others.

Ann Bender (Overhiser), API Co-Founder

Fraud and Death in the Paranormal Field

Fraud and Death in the Paranormal Field

While I prefer to simply help people, I understand that public education is an inherent tool to helping people understanding how we help.  It is also important for the public to understand how not not be fooled by those just our to make a quick buck, fraudulently.  I like to teach by example.  While I don't judge a medium or psychic that takes money for service rendered (it's not my place).  I do wish there were some sort of guidelines in place that addressed fraudulent activity that has come to run rampant across the country in this hard economy.  Also, while psychics are an easy target, I do not believe they are by far the worst offenders.

Just like in the early EMS (Emergency Medical System) days of the 1970's, there are NO regulations for the paranormal community as a whole that has now become an industry of it's own.  Example: and yes, this is true, ambulances originally carried bodies to the morgue or patients to the hospital.  The "ambulances" were paid more money to bring a body to the morgue than a live person to the hospital.  Some companies brought more to the morgue than the hospital that could have survived.  It took over 25 years for regulations to establish this fact and correct this atrocity.  Not all was because of deviancy, but simple lack of training.  I was a paramedic for 10 years and those in the field, this is fact not fiction.  It was a living horror movie not yet made to date.  There was a comedy made in the 1980's called "Mother, Jugs, and Speed".  Believe it or not - this was how it really was in some ambulance companys!  If you know this movie, it is NO different for the paranormal world today.

There is fraud ongoing on an international level, but is not life and death.  I fear because of that, it will be far longer than 25 years before there are some guidelines for the everyday paranormal investigator.  The deaths will stack up from people trespassing and perishing on unsanctioned investigations.  Since tragedy drives legislation, more will need to perish this way before central guidelines are established and recognized.

Sadly, it is the deviant individual that prey's on a scared family in crisis or need.  Or the prepetrator will seek out an elderly person grieving the lose of a loved one.  These people may eve form "teams" that can consist of one, two, or more people that may or may not be real.  Meantime, hardworking teams/individuals that are there to never take money are grouped into the same category. Some of these people may charge for their professional service as this is how they make their living AND have years of experience to offer for that service. Hence why I do NOT judge a single person.  Each person taking money knows why you accept that money and under what pretense it is handed over.  The paranormal field is deeply entrenched in psychology.  This is a great thing and at other times a deadly thing for the victims.

Case and point:  If you are looking for paranormal help, I BEG of you to research the people you are asking to help you.  These are strangers in your home and life.  Just like you trust a doctor with private information, you need to feel comfortable with them.  If you do not - no matter the team - find one that is a right "fit" for you.  Ask questions to the people you meet.  Find out about their day jobs.  Observe their eye contact and body language.  Get copies of anything you sign, or did they even ask you to sign anything?  Think in legal terms when confidentiality like when you visit a hospital or any professional (whom would you give personal information to).

Perhaps the team is new and teams are limited in your area?  Maybe you know some legalities they may need and don't do - then offer to help.  Watch for the response.  That response will tell you volumes.  Also, just because they are new, doesn't mean they can't help, either.  They may not have the years of experience to draw from, but enthusiasm and a listening ear will go miles if they are ethical!

Best of luck to you all!

Dowsing with Dänna Wilberg on Paranormal Connections

Dowsing with Dänna Wilberg on Paranormal Connections

I was humbly asked to be on Paranormal Connections with Dänna Wilberg, recently airing Oct. 4th and 5th locally in Sacramento. She was a joy to talk to and made me feel very comfortable on a topic very personal.


I will be stepping outside of my shell on Oct. 28th and teaching a small dowsing class to others at the Sacramento Learning Exchange.  You may make your reservation at http://www.ap-investigations.com.

This is all to benefit American Paranormal Investigations and to help them assist others in need of understanding the unexplained in their homes or place of work.

 

Nightwatchers at the old hospital in Virginia City, NV

It's now the St. Mary's Art Institute by day.  If you wish to stay the night you may see more than art.  The old hospital sits on 5 1/2 acres of original cemeteries, mine shafts, and old artifacts not yet rediscovered.  The caretakers of the surprisingly huge 3 story building are happy to give anybody a guided tour and share experiences.  They have had blinds move that didn't exists, to sightings as far back as the 1960's of a lady in white.  While the rooms are very comfortable some come supplied with more than the usual furnishings.  In one room we began our tour by hearing a man's voice whisper very firmly at us.  While we couldn't hear the words, I didn't get the impression he wanted us hanging out in his room.

In the old surgery, now the new meeting area and second kitchen, nothing seemed unusual during the daylight.  Nobody present could explain the difference at night except for a heavy feeling that made it very uncomfortable to stay there.

Up on the the second floor where the bulk of the patients slept is now the main art area.  Michelle took an interesting picture of bright lights that we actually saw zipping at us.  It's easy to brush off "orbs" but this experience was very different in that we saw what she took a picture of.

On the third floor I stood in the psychiatric room and source of at least one fire.  On the tour Angela had mentioned that they heard wheels on the floor at any time of day or night.  Right by the outside of the door I heard a set of 2 wooden wheels go back and fourth.  I looked and nobody was there and the investigation had not started.  I never heard that sound again all night during the investigation.

The best part about the weekend was how wonderful the caretakers, Angela and Ron, and every single Nightwatcher was that came to the event.  It was a joy to meet and investigate with you all.

I look forward to a return visit.

Personal Paranormal Experiences

By definition a personal experience is a witnessed occurrence that an individuals brain interprets.  Your brain either goes into "fight or flight" mode or recognizes the stimuli as none threatening.  All ghost encounters, even filmed ones, are subject to possible alternate causes by people not present at the time of the event.  Basically put, two people can witness the same unexplained event, but it will be different for them both. The baffling point is why do hard core skeptics forget this and hid behind "science" that doesn't exist to prove or disprove paranormal phenomena.  That's right, there is NO science to prove or disprove a paranormal event.  There are basic laws of physics and theories.  There are even "ghost" particles that not measurable and around us every day.  There is no re-creatable way to prove spirits are there or not.  There are lots of people that have added very intriguing research and strides to on day having a ghost camera or detection device.  Kirlian photography is one of many curiosities. 

Now, think of the ghost argument from a legal perspective.  By the preponderance of evidence; billions of people of every culture since the beginning of time, have told ghost stories.  Thousands have had verifiable encounters that have been proven.  Therefore, has not a precedence been set far stronger than DNA testing to support the fact that ghosts are real?

On the other side of the coin, there are thousands that experience events sue to very explainable events.  Those events, may be unknown to them at the time.  Medical issues and chemical use do create the effect of a paranormal event as one perceives it.  Also, those that fake "evidence" of the paranormal only help to discredit possible unexplained events.

So what am I saying?  Well, even documented events are perceived by the human brain.  And since we understand so little about the human brains working in relation to parapsychology, proving one has had a ghost encounter is impossible.  It is important to note that after a profound unexplained encounter, many explainable things can become paranormal to a person due to fear.  That is not to say the experience was even scary.  For a new paranormal experience there is nothing to relate to that is real or understandable.  It confuses the brain and we are back to "fight or flight" responses.  The "flight or fight" response is any persons animalistic way to stay alive without getting technical or nerdy.

So - next time a person shares an experience they've had, listen to them.  Know that you can never experience what they did.  It was theirs to encounter and really is personal.  For paranormal teams, remember about the medical, environmental, psychological, or pharmaceutical  issues that can affect an experience.  In cases that a known reason exists, look for other people that may have had experiences.

I am not even touching on people that may be the cause of the unexplained event.  This can include object movement, lights flickering, battery drain, and so very much more.  That is for another time.  But if you have kids and activity, there is something else to look at besides ghosts.  Now, that is not to say this only happens in kids at all.  It is just new to parents when toys without batteries go off and on and they have never had a paranormal encounter before.  It is unexplained, but not always without a real explanation.

So if you've never seen a ghost and don't believe.  Remember it's not fair to judge one who believes they have.  You may be that person saying, "You are gonna think I'm crazy, but...........".

 API Web Promo, courtesy Kane and Jeremy 2006

Finding a Safe Paranormal Team

Every state has a person or team that acts without basic ethics or for self benefit under false pretenses. Sadly, these individuals prey on scared families not knowing where to turn for real help. The families are afraid to talk to even the ones they love most at times. They, or their children have had terrifying experiences (sometimes of a very personal nature). So I caution those that are going through a trying time of unexplained events - DO YOU HOMEWORK!

1) Research all of the teams in your area before contacting anybody. Do not take the shotgun approach of contacting every single team you find. Rather, stop, think, and look for professional organizations that do NOT charge.

2) Look for balanced teams. Beware of a team that is only science or only phsychic. That is not to say either is bad or good. It is just a factor to consider. Think about what you are looking for in asking for help.

3) Monitor whom you contact and how fast they return your request for assistance. If the team has not gotten back to you in 5-7 days, contact them back. Things do happen with E-mail. If they still do not answer your request, consider another team.

4) Don't use multiple teams at the same time. You wouldn't go to two primary doctors, since you may get two conflicting treatments. Try one team out and if they are not a good fit, move on to another. There are many areas with multiple teams, different styles, and not every one will be the correct fit for you and your family.

5) Remember - It's NOT TV! Television is for entertainment and never will display a real investigation. There are many, many variances from real life to TV. Most apparitions are seen during the day. However, it's not scary to film ghost shows during the day.

6) Know that personal experiences are just that - personal. They can never be debunked or filmed. Two different people can experience the exact same thing, but report two different events because of how their brains interpreted that experience. So try not to get frustrated when nobody else experiences what you did in a certain location. It was a personal experience.

7) Make sure the team you invite into you home respects you, your family, and your property. That means they need to obtain signed permission to be there and to post any evidence they find or stories they write. Far too many teams/individuals forget to ask if it's OK to enter. Without permission - it is trespassing. That extends to ANY property. This is by far the violation I see broken the most. Sadly, it gives a bad name to every paranormal team across this nation and the world.

8) Lastly, remember your residence is yours. And unless the spirit you believe is their pays rent, you can ask them to leave. You need to be firm, but not mean. It is your place after all.