Fond Memories of EFT Founder Gary Craig (and an old video of us)

When I think about people who have significantly impacted my life, EFT founder Gary Craig was certainly one of them.  His DVD trainings and online test delivered  my first practitioner certification.  I enjoyed the opportunity to meet him at many professional gatherings over the years.  He was a hugger and always loved being the center of attention.

There one particular memory that I am most grateful to share:

Father’s Day session with the “Father of  EFT

June 18, 2017 Grand Rapids, MI

While my husband George was in the ICU following cardiac arrest(from my book The Comeback)

We could never have predicted that George would celebrate Father’s Day in the ICU, but at least both of his children were there. Father’s Day at Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI meant the crowds in the waiting room were even bigger than usual. We realized the great distances many families had traveled to be with their loved ones in this highly specialized ICU. So many of them slept in the hospital room or waiting area night after night. There was limited housing available for one lucky family member in a nearby facility operated by the hospital, to help with lodging for those who travel so far. Unfortunately, only one room per patient was offered and there was a long waiting list for those coveted rooms. Again, I found myself being grateful for the credit card that made our comfortable stay with my children and sister at the Residence Inn possible. It was worth the short commute, and frankly was a nice break to return to the quiet of the suburbs each night. Lodging was a necessary yet painful expense that I knew would not be covered by insurance. At least we had the means from our savings to have this essential shelter each night. I said a prayer for the other families.

This day was particularly difficult for our daughter Mandy. She remained unwilling to go into the room to see her father and sat day after day in the big and noisy ICU waiting area, and that Father’s Day Sunday was especially chaotic and crowded. While I was in the ICU with George, Mandy found the gift shop and purchased a special Father’s Day card for her dad. As I took a mid-day break from George’s room to check on her, she handed me the card in a sealed envelope. She instructed me to save the card for the moment in the future when George would finally be able to read it himself. From the look on her face and the glistening tears in her eyes, I didn’t think she believed that day would come; my heart broke for her.

Back in George’s room, I tucked the card into my bag. There was a tinge of guilt knowing that I would miss celebrating my own father’s special day and I hadn’t even had a chance to send a card. If we were home, we’d either take him out or I’d invite him and mom over for a special dinner I’d make in his honor.

My dad had been a solid source of support since this catastrophe first emerged. When I called him from George’s room, he told me about online research he had done to find cases of patient recovery after sudden cardiac arrest. He explained that he found documentation of complete recoveries from the same kind of oxygen deprivation brain injury George experienced. He also added that complications from the hospital, like bedsores, pneumonia, and secondary infections, are the risks most likely to interfere with recovery at this point. I was not in the right frame of mind to talk much about this information, but it did substantiate the sense of hope I continued to hold for George’s complete recovery - more needed proof for optimism going forward.

My optimism had also been boosted by another curious synchronicity. Facebook posts about our situation had come to the attention of Emotional Freedom Techniques/EFT Founder Gary Craig by way of his daughter Tina Craig. I had received several of my practitioner certifications through Tina’s supervision and had studied directly with Gary as well. Gary and I also had filmed a segment on surrogate EFT healing years ago on stage in Albuquerque, NM, during a training event (watch a segment at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKk_HWp_EG0). We’ve had several calls and connections over the years, however, this time it was extra special.

Gary had reached out to me personally via email the day before, offering to connect with me by phone so that we might together engage the Optimal EFT process for George. A Father’s Day session with the “Father of  EFT” was scheduled to take place at 1:00 p.m. by phone at the bedside.

Sun streamed into the hospital room for the full (and uninterrupted) thirty minutes. Amazing, given the regular unending parade of practitioners, monitor noises and abrupt interruptions I had come to expect in the ICU. Gary facilitated a very simple, yet elegant, Optimal EFT process as George slept peacefully.

In his book, The Unseen Therapist, Gary describes this force as the “spiritual healer within...ever-present….To do Her work She needs only your readiness and proper invitation.”

Prior to this call, I had not previously engaged in this innovative form of EFT, so this session was my introduction. Of course, I was curious and fully open to it. We took time to briefly discuss specific events that were connected to the current situation. The session itself from my perspective was like a meditation. I perceived a loving and wise presence had entered the room; time seemed to stand still. Eventually I was brought back to the present moment, feeling utterly peaceful and complete, and I could accept that whatever was meant to happen had happened. I thanked Gary and we ended the call. What I know for sure is that whatever took place allowed me to know I could continue to have faith and call upon this Unseen Therapist.

Invisible healing from invisible helpers can be a concept foreign to our more conventional readers. We don’t have scientific studies to back this kind of healing to compare it to the clinical studies that support Gold Standard EFT (the kind that incorporates tapping). I certainly would not have wanted to remove all of George’s tubes and monitors at this point. Using this tool in addition to conventional care was the best of integrative medicine.

I know God provided us with a full team of support from many specialty areas. What I knew I could trust was engaging the presence of love and attracting every single kind of healing needed for the day. My job was to be a faithful, loving and patient wife. I can truly say that our time with the Unseen Therapist boosted my ability to trust and relax gratefully into the uncertainty ahead.

Note:  What happened next is detailed fully in my book, The Comeback, however I’m happy to share that George began responding to my voice the very next day and emerged from his coma on June 20. George is now fully recovered and enjoying excellent health.

EFT Founder Gary Craig and Betsy at ACEP Conference 2008