That's awesome advice, Perna -- taking someone who is more scared than you so you HAVE to act brave.

When I was still suffering a lot with anxiety and panic attacks, I always did much better when I had my 4 year-old niece with me. I knew I couldn't panic... and I just didn't have attacks. I knew I had to keep HER safe and I would go into a much more confident zone because it reminded me that I was the "grown-up." I couldn't afford to give into fear when I was responsible for her.

Your experience in NY sounds scary. Sometimes it's those experiences that are the most beneficial, though. When it came time for me to fly home from my first vacation in many years (after I had had agoraphobia), some of the things I worried most about ended up happening. My first flight ended up being delayed. We sat on the runway for 3 hours before take-off (waiting for bad weather to clear). So, I was TRAPPED in a little plane with a smelly man next to me and couldn't get off. I handled it, though. When I finally got to Toronto, my connecting flight was long gone. I was alone and had no money for a hotel, so I had to spend the night in the airport and wait for a morning flight. If I had known in advance that something like that was going to happen, I would have been terrified and would have not gone on the trip. I was just thrown into it, though, and I coped very well. After that, I felt like I could handle anything. Being forced to face our fears is sometimes the best treatment.

I'm so glad you've been cured of your travel fear. It's a wonderful feeling of freedom, isn't it?

I have high hopes for Rio. I think he's going to do just fine and feel great after he takes the bus by himself.

I'm rooting for you, Rio!!!