It is possible to get over a fear of heights
In this article, John Derrick talks about how he used his own version of exposure therapy to self-treat his fears.
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It is possible to get over a fear of heights
Staff Reports
By John Derrick
For The Star Outdoor’s Page
When I was a little, little boy, I said I wanted to be a mountain climber when I grew up. Then I figured out I was afraid of heights.
So to combat my fear I have exposed myself to all manner of acrophobic horrors.
I have rock climbed; I have rappelled; I have skydived.
I have also been to the top of every building, tower, mountain and cathedral I could. While I was studying in Freiburg, Germany, I repeatedly climbed the town cathedral’s spire. I traveled to Ulm, home of the tallest cathedral in the world. And I climbed that one too.
I like to think the repeated self-traumatization shows “spunk.”…
thought back to the fear of my father and myself of suddenly jumping. I realized we’re not irrational, we’re Airborne, and that’s not bad.
Anyway, my acrobatic skills occasionally come in useful in this job. Check out my flamingo-filled blog, jderrick.blogspot.com, for some photos, courtesy of Tommy Forney (who seems to be everywhere), of me clinging to a climbing tower during the recent Merry-Go-Round festival in Shelby, snapping photos of young Renee Shannon on her way to the top.
And I wasn’t even scared. I was too busy…