(Original headline: Paranormal: Near Death Experiences)
DR. KEVIN MICKELSON HAS WORKED WITH MANY DYING PATIENTS...AND SOMETIMES...HE AND THE PATIENT TOGETHER MANAGE TO CHEAT DEATH.
Mickelson -- My belief in death at this point in time is that what I do is artificial. It's somewhat violent, what I do to people.
FOR EXAMPLE...ONE NIGHT...IN TRYING TO RESUSCITATE A YOUNG HEART ATTACK VICTIM...A MAN IN HIS 40s...HE SAYS THE MAN WAS SHOCKED NEARLY 30 TIMES...WITH NO RESULT AND FINALLY, HE CRACKED THE MAN'S CHEST OPEN AND BEGAN ACTUALLY PUMPING THE MAN'S HEART WITH HIS HAND.
We were performing an internal massage and as this was happening I felt something on the back of my hip. I thought at first perhaps it was one of the nurses leaning over me or something so I looked over my shoulder and when I looked over my shoulder there was no one there...and then obviously I turned to my right and realized it was the man's hand and he had it on my hip and he was looking directly at me.
NOT YOUR EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE IN THE E.R.
He was just looking at me and I remember the hair was standing up on the back of my neck.
IF THE MAN DID INDEED DIE, WHERE DID HE GO?
THE NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE IS RECORDED IN OUR EARLIEST WRITINGS...AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEM, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE FREQUENTLY RELUCTANT TO DISCUSS THEM. THEY WORRY THAT PEOPLE WILL THINK THEY'RE CRAZY...BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY ACTUALLY CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN.
Patrick -- Every once in a while I'll read that this is the brain dying or a chemical reaction. That it's neurons shutting down, that it's lack of oxygen. Baloney...it's not.
PATRICK ATKINSON HAD A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE AT 13...WHEN HE DROWNED. HE DESCRIBES LEAVING HIS BODY AND TRAVELING DOWN A VAST TUNNEL TOWARD A BRIGHT LIGHT...A CLASSIC EXPERIENCE.
It's not a bad experience, it's not a painful experience, it's not a lonely experience...because there are people waiting for you. Along with the complete accompaniment of love.
THIS FEELING OF COMFORT...OF GOING HOME...IS ONE THAT PEOPLE FREQUENTLY DESCRIBE. AND ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT DETAIL...THEY USUALLY LOSE THEIR FEAR OF DEATH.
Donna Dohrman -- If you want complete relaxation, it's there. And if you want a taste of paradise, this is it.
IT ALSO FREQUENTLY CHANGES PEOPLE FOR THE BETTER. FR. TOM RICHTER SAYS IT'S THIS CHANGE THAT HE BELIEVES MAKES THE EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC.
Tom Richter -- I believe those are true experiences of post earthly life where they meet the invisible God in a powerful way...come back...and bear the fruits of God.
WHEN PEOPLE NO LONGER FEAR DEATH, THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD LIFE CAN ALTER SIGNIFICANTLY...AND THEIR LIVES CHANGE DIRECTION. YOU CAN'T ALWAYS SEE IT...BUT ALL OF THE PEOPLE WE SPOKE WITH WHO EXPERIENCED NEAR DEATH SAY THEY WERE FOREVER CHANGED...AND ACTUALLY LOOK FORWARD TO DYING AGAIN.
