I just found this site a few days ago. I have been an emet all my life. I am much better now, but I remember this very specific moment a few years back where this man had collapsed on the street and I couldn't help him. I'm was trained at the time in CPR and First Aid, but I was so scared that he might v* that I could only "hover" nearby to make sure others were helping. I was so angry at myself. I kept thinking that this man was someone's son or father and how I would feel if someone who could have helped a member of my family didn't because they were afraid he would sneeze on them or something (another simple function that our body performs in order to rid itself of something harmful - and something I would think a person was CRAZY for being afraid of).
Reading all these stories over the past few days has made me more determined to beat this totally. It makes me so sad that there are so many people, like me, who have compromised living a full and adventurous life because of something that the rational part of me knows is not really anything to fear. Even the smallest compromise should be unacceptable. Turning down the smallest possibility for adventure, or love or fullfillment should be unacceptable.
I strive for the day when the fear of v* plays no part in ANY of my decision making.