![]() |
|
December 7th, 2010
08:14 AM ET
Confessions of a claustrophobic fighter pilotIn the Human Factor, Dr. Sanjay Gupta introduces you to survivors who have overcome tremendous odds. Confronting a life obstacle – injury, illness or other hardship – they tapped their inner strength and found resilience they didn’t know they possessed. Be inspired by their successes, as we have been. Three years into my eleven-year Air Force flying career, my life changed when I almost died during a scuba diving trip in the Caribbean. Thirty feet under the water and already exhausted, I inhaled a lungful of water and had the most intense panic attack of my life. I literally thought I was going to die. I immediately got out of the water, brushed it off as a very bad experience and put it behind me. A week later at my flying squadron in Oklahoma, I found myself back in the cockpit on a training mission in bad weather. Unable to see the ground or the sky, I felt closed in. My mask tightened around my face, my pulse quickened, and I suddenly had difficulty breathing. I became lightheaded and the panicky feeling I had a week before came back. “Get me out of this plane!” From that day forth, I transformed myself from a confident, fearless jet pilot to a doubtful and anxious claustrophobe. For the next eight years of my flying career I had to walk around with that huge secret. If my fellow pilots found out, I would surely have my wings taken away. Every training and combat mission I flew, I had claustrophobia as my companion, waiting to rear its ugly head and attempt to spin me out of control. But I fought it. On four-hour training missions over the Sea of Japan, I fought it. On six-hour night combat missions over Iraq and Serbia in the cramped cockpit of the F-16, I fought it. It wasn’t easy. There were times on some flights when the panic and fear were so great that when I landed, I walked into the squadron with my wings in my hand ready to quit. But I fought it. And I won. So how did I do it? 1. Mental rehearsal – I envisioned having my panic attacks in simulated flights while on the ground. Rather than fight it, I “befriended my fear.” I got used to the feeling in my mind and learned to cope with the fear by shifting my focus. 2. I focused on my wingmen: No fighter pilot flies solo in combat. We have wingmen who help us deal with emergencies and adapt to change. When I focused on the fact that I had my wingmen there to support me in and that they needed me as well, it gave me more courage. 3. I focused on what I loved: On every mission I flew, I carried a small silver set of angel wings that re-affirmed my belief in God. And I also carried a picture of my niece and nephew. They needed me to get back home. They gave meaning to my mission. I never quit on any combat mission. However, things changed when I was performing my before take-off checklist on a flight from Spain to the U.S. Seven hours flying over the Atlantic Ocean was too much for me to handle. I reached the limit of my courage. I aborted the flight before taking off. What I learned from my experiences is that by stepping outside of my comfort zone and pushing the limits of my courage, I could do anything. By facing my fear and not letting it strangle me, I was able to plant the seeds to a future of opportunities I never would have dreamed of. But, it also taught me that my ego was more powerful than I realized. I learned that it’s OK to quit. I don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to beat every fear, overcome every challenge, or fly every mission. And neither do you. |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
|
https://t.raptorsmartadvisor.com/.lty?url=https://backbonehunters.com/
When I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Kudos!
https://www.erc.ur.ru/include/links.php?go=https://backboneleaders.com/
Your style is very unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.
https://www.lipperhey.com/en/sprinterrepairnearme.com/
Hello there! This article couldnít be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I will send this article to him. Fairly certain he'll have a great read. Thank you for sharing!
http://flyparamania.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=boxtruckrepairshop.com
http://cyclesouthcarolina.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fleetautorepairshop.com/
I absolutely love your site.. Great colors & theme. Did you create this web site yourself? Please reply back as Iím hoping to create my own personal site and want to know where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Many thanks!
http://unitedship.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fleetautorepairshop.com
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this post and the rest of the site is also really good.
http://backtoearthorganics.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvfleetservices.com
http://ccmoon.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=commercialvanrepairshop.com
Everything is very open with a really clear explanation of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your site is very useful. Many thanks for sharing!
https://link.chatujme.cz/redirect?url=https://sprinterrepairnearme.com
I need to to thank you for this great read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to check out new stuff you postÖ
https://houmatoday.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://www.meetlocals.com/geo/click.php?bannerid=&campaignid=&zoneid=&rurl=https://ocrvcenter.com/
http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/redirect?openagent&url=https://www.ocrvcenter.com
http://ladygamer.jp/ws/rank.cgi?mode=link&url=https://www.ocrvcenter.com
https://www.footballzaa.com/out.php?url=https://www.www.newrvowners.com
Great blog you've got here.. Itís hard to find excellent writing like yours these days. I truly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
http://blog.majide.org/diary/out.php?id=asddf&url=https://ocrv.xyz/
Spot on with this write-up, I actually feel this amazing site needs far more attention. Iíll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the info!
https://w3.interforcecms.nl/m_Mailingen/Klik.asp?m=2091&cid=558216&url=http://ocrvmotorsports.info/
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this post plus the rest of the site is also very good.
http://www0.lufc.talent-sport.co.uk/?returnurl=http://ocrvcenter.org/
Iím amazed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog thatís both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few people are speaking intelligently about. Now i'm very happy that I came across this during my search for something regarding this.
http://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=hdorrh+HcDlQ+zUEnZU5qlfKZ1Cl53X6&url=https://ocrv.club/
http://ad.yp.com.hk/adserver/api/click.asp?b=763&r=2477&u=https://ocrv.pro
http://gameshock.jeez.jp/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=307&url=http://ocrv.today/
http://mx2.radiant.net/Redirect/www.ocrvpaintandservice.com/
If you want out of the sport it is extremely hard when it is using place in your home! They devise an experiment exactly where I use energy on my parrots. You just have to play to see through it although.
https://orcid.org/my-orcid
I just want to know if they owe as well much for me to be able to buy the house. If you gamble a few rounds you may get a few bucks, but attempt a little longer and it's all gone.
https://8tracks.com/mazidahmed
We had been there to inform him what we needed and how we wanted it and he produced the adjustments. The other individual who also assisted him was his mentor, Phil Ivey. This can average at generally twenty five to fortytwenty five.
https://www.mixcloud.com/mazidahmed/
http://r5.dir.bg/rem.php?word_id=0&place_id=9&ctype=mp&fromemail=&iid=3770&aid=4&cid=0&url=https://customcampervans.com
https://booksusi.com/go/?target=http://ocrvmotorcoaches.com/
https://www.luerzersarchive.com/goto/url/ocrvempire.com/
http://www.littlesamaritan.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvart.com
Hello there, I believe your web site could possibly be having browser compatibility issues. When I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, great blog!
http://store.redhentoys.com/affiliates/default.aspx?Affiliate=2&Target=https://ocrvmotorsports.net/
May I just say what a relief to uncover someone who actually understands what they are discussing on the net. You certainly realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people really need to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you're not more popular given that you surely possess the gift.
http://mydeathspace.com/byebye.aspx?go=http://ocrvmotorsports.life/
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am having troubles with your RSS. I donít understand why I can't subscribe to it. Is there anybody else having identical RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
http://www.strana.co.il/finance/redir.aspx?site=https://fleetservicesorangecounty.com
https://suke10.com/ad/redirect?url=https://ocrvfleetservices.com/
Iím impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog thatís both equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I found this during my search for something concerning this.
https://www.starnow.com/Link.aspx?l=4815&return_url=http://ocrv.world20
Awesome blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
https://bit.ly/3jpGkpE
http://www.aurki.com/jarioa/redirect?id_feed=510&url=https://www.fleetservicesorangecounty.com
I enjoy reading an article that can make men and women think. Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!
http://www.kellysappliance.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=sprinterrepairnearme.com
Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the issues. It was truly informative. Your website is very helpful. Many thanks for sharing!
http://handler.fiksu.com/click?adid=0803d9e0-b918-0131-ee96-22000aa700a4&adnet=A1PJ9MK4&appid=672828590&device_class=ios&kontagent_token=1400&s=00001&url=https://ocrvmotorcoachsales.com
http://elistingtracker.olr.com/redir.aspx?id=112365&sentid=161371&email=zae@mdrnresidential.com&url=https://www.fleetservicesorangecounty.com
Good blog you've got here.. Itís hard to find excellent writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
https://e-tsudoi.com/redirect.php?url=https://sprintervanrepair.com
After looking over a few of the articles on your site, I seriously like your technique of blogging. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my web site too and tell me your opinion.
https://www.depcollc.com/products/leads.aspx?url=http://customcampervans.com/
http://www.smartelectronix.com/refer.php?url=http://ocrvcenter.mobi/
Hi there! This post could not be written any better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I am going to send this article to him. Pretty sure he's going to have a very good read. Thanks for sharing!
http://wiz4all.itg.es/index.php/lang/changeLang?lang=en&redirect=http3A2F2Focrvshop.com
Your style is so unique compared to other folks I've read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this web site.
https://gbcode2.kgieworld.com/gb/ocrvcenter.mobi