EUROPEAN UNION
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
PASSPORT
Copyright © 2015. J. Alex Wilson and ‘Me & I Design Studios™’ All rights reserved Including the right of reproduction In whole or part in any form. (Very) Limited First Edition 2015 Typeset, digitally printed and bound in Great Britain by J. Alex Wilson and ‘Me & I Design Studios™’ 123.456.7891 ISBN 987-6-5432-1012-3
To all my anxieties, I will defeat you.
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Preface. I don’t consider myself a risk taker. I’m usually found cowering far away from anything risky. I know there are elements of risk in everything, but I try to block that awareness out by ignoring the warnings in my head. However, it’s often the case that this voice gains control, forcing me to avoid possible risks. Unfortunately, this mindset has controlled my life so far. Travel is one of my biggest challenges. Thinking about journeys sparks alarm in my head, triggering anxiety attacks. So, imagine the chaos unravelling in my mind with a trip to the opposite side of the globe — Almost forty hours of travelling. Nothing could prepare me for how I’d be affected. It felt more like circumnavigating the world than just visiting New Zealand. A journey of uncertainties. I was determined to take the risk. To push my limits. I was unaware of how it would affect me, making the risk so much greater. In the end it was torture, but worth it one hundred percent!
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
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‘Meh’
‘Meh’
Mornings are challenging for anyone but personally, facing such a momentous challenge that I was both willing and reluctant to undertake, it was practically impossible. My first challenge was just to get out of bed. I’d been prescribed Diazepam to subdue my anxieties, and took a dose when I woke up, hoping to calm my nerves, but to no avail. Only one thought went through my mind… ‘Meh’.
‘Meh’
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’ ‘Meh’ ‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’ ‘Meh’ ‘Meh’
‘Meh’
After a struggle, I crawled out of bed.
$@?*!/% ^ &(*!#% $!? *&%£@\ @ $@^*! *^%
Amongst a barrage of expletives aimed at my brother, I shuffled into an outfit I’d laid out previously — a coping mechanism in the hope that the fewer decisions I had to make, the easier the journey would be — before stumbling out the door and into a taxi. The journey had barely begun and I was already regretting my decision.
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Barrelled onto the train like I was luggage, I was relieved to have time before reaching Paddington to collect my thoughts. So I sleptâ&#x20AC;Śfor about thirty minutes. The rest of the journey was spent praying for it to be over.
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I was very anxious about missing our flight, and even after three doses the meds still werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t having an affect, so didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think to stop for food. I just knew that missing our flight would mean lots of money lost.
Even with the delays so far, we made it to Heathrow one hour before check-in, giving me time to calm down and eat something before checking in.
However, I was anxious about going through customs with my brother.
As he was under eighteen, I had to show signed consent for him to leave the country with me.
I had worries that customs officers wouldn’t believe the letter and we’d be stopped, or that I’d be arrested.
In an anxious and delirious state my mind thought only of negative scenarios. Thankfully we boarded the plane without a problem and I could begin to relax.
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After waking up flat on my back in the walkway, I was hoisted into a wheelchair and wheeled through the airport.
Boarding the second leg was easier. I had more energy having eaten and slept, my medication had kicked in which helped me relax, plus the American customs officers were very supportive of my challenge. They have an excellent sense of humour too, much against the stereotype. However, I couldn’t forget that this was the thirteen hour leg, and I already felt exhausted. I remember slumping into my seat and sleeping for what felt like eternity. I didn’t notice the take-off. In reality I slept for eight hours, but it’s unpleasant waking up and realising there’s still five hours to endure, so I watched films again.
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Thankfully we landed safely and getting off the plane this time was no problem. As I stepped off after such a long ordeal — Thirty-nine hours — I was relieved. I’d made it to New Zealand!
And so began the dream...