Vincent T NDE

Well, it was quite a simple experience. I had suddenly gotten ill while vacationing in Disney World over the New Year in 2000. My wife and I had gone out to dinner. Several hours after dinner, I began experiencing intense abdominal pain. Of course, being an Italian male, I refused to go to the hospital. Well at about 4 am, the pain just became so intense that I told my wife to call the front desk. As Disney has its own EMTs/ambulance staff, they dispatched an EMT crew to my room. The two paramedics, retired from New York City, said I had to go to the hospital.

Apparently, on the way to the local hospital, my vitals began to really slip. I remember the paramedic requesting via radio that instead of going to the local hospital, they would divert to the Regional Trauma Center. Blood pressure had fallen to 60/40. Upon arrival, I remember requesting something for the intense pain, but the staff refused. Doctors said they could not give me pain medication until they found out what the problem was. They had to perform a CAT scan and other tests.

That's about the last I remember. I don't think they ever gave me any pain medication. I do remember telling my wife she had been a good wife, as if I knew I would be leaving. Unknown to me at the time, the hospital had sent the chaplain to stay with my wife, in my room. I also later learned that doctors told my wife they had done all they could, and now it was up to me. Well at some point, I guess I lost consciousness.

Upon awakening, I remember it was like being shocked back to life. (No, I didn't have a heart attack, and they did not use the paddles either.) I remember seeing a very, very bright white light. I also remember seeing my mother who had passed several years earlier. She was standing in front of a doorway or entrance in a blocking manner. She did not say anything, but I guess the symbol was that it was not my time to enter. I then woke up.

For some reason at the time, I felt disappointed that I was not allowed to enter and remain wherever it was I had gone. It seemed so peaceful. Today, I have no fear of dying because of what I experienced. That's about it. To this day, the doctors debate whether I had a staph infection, toxic shock, or anaphylactic shock. I did make a full recovery from whatever it was.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: January 6, 2000

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? IllnessAllergic reaction Clinical death

How do you consider the content of your experience? Mixed

Did you feel separated from your body? Uncertain

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? I believe I was unconscious.

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning It seemed as if time or nothing else mattered.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? Yes It seemed like a dark tunnel, with a big bright white light at the end. The light was so bright, it hurt to look at it. The light seemed to draw me toward it.

The experience included: Presence of deceased persons

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes My mother, standing by a doorway or entrance. Nothing was said, it was if she turned me away and sent me back. That's when I regained consciousness.

The experience included: Light

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes See above.

The experience included: Strong emotional tone

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Calm, painlessness, peace.

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate catholic

What is your religion now? Moderate catholic

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes I feel more relaxed and do not fear death.

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? Not being allowed to remain, wherever it was that I had gone to.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes My wife and several relatives. They didn't seem to be influenced one way or another.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? No