Here I am.

Hello Everyone!

As the newest member of SLAPS I want to take the time to let everyone get to know a little about me and what I can contribute to the team. I also would like to be able to document from my personal view what happens on an investigation. Please be aware that these are my opinions alone and may not necessarily represent the thoughts of SLAPS as a whole.

So, bare with me, because I'm not really one to talk about myself. That involves opening up to people I don't know and it's hard to think of where the best place to start would be. Here goes: I'm British, 28, married and have four beautiful children. I'm also a full time education student at SUNY Potsdam. I like to consider myself pretty grounded, but with a twist.

Its not unheard of for a psychic/clairvoyant/medium to attach themselves to a Paranormal Team, and thats exactly what I am. Since I was a child, strange things would happen that I always deemed perfectly normal. These things would range from dreams that would come true, to an out of body experience. Whilst my mother suspected I had a gift (since she did, and it ran in the family) she attempted to protect me from it as a child, shrugging off any occurances I had.

It was only until I hit my early teens that my gift began to alter. My parents bought and moved into a hotel in Devon, England. It was a Victorian building, very large and looming. I find it amusing now that anywhere that usually has activity, tends to "look" as if it might have it from the outside. It really did look like a haunted building because of its age - but honestly, I liked the place. However, it was already occupied and I found this out the hard way. I found myself hearing noises from the bathroom that I couldn't explain. A child would call out "Help!" and no one would be there. This is where I had my first encounter with an actual spiritual being. I was asleep in one of the rooms usually used for guests and found myself startled awake by the pressing down of someone who was sat at the end of the bed. The hour was witching - around 3am. When I looked to my left, an old rocking chair that my mother was very fond of had an old woman sitting in it. I remember the details of her attire to this day. Strangely, the image did not frighten me, I wasn't sure if it was a dream. In the morning I discribed the scene to my mother who was amazed that I had given the full details of my great grandmother, long passed. The rocking chair had belonged to her.

I've had many experiences since then, throughout my life that has led to this point. My abilties have earned a reputation locally for being good, people like to come to me for help and I have never turned anyone away. My experience ranges from giving readings through psychic fairs, I've attended a spiritual church and its there where I held readings for an audience. Once, I had my own room at the "Wild Rose" in Potsdam, where I would receive people. Things took off and I did psychic parties. However, I found it too hard to charge people and had to withdraw from it.

My method is a little different than most. I don't use Tarot, but I am educated in it. I was also taught the ways of using a crystal ball (yes, I own one, but they like to gather dust.) I don't use it either. I simply use my own feelings, my own intuition. I believe I have a minds eye, and I am able to see visions of the past and sometimes future things as well as spirits. My main frustration is that people have come to me to seek advice and then never follow it, thus in my mind defeating the point. I've learnt to accept that people might not want to hear what I have to say, but if it involves their own well being, I will be honest and tell you anyway. NO, I have never ever told anyone they are going to die. Yes, I've still saved someone's life from an accident.

Its because of these various experiences that I joined SLAPS, because I have a need to find out the truth also. My gift has made me who I am today and its about time I put it to further good use. Not only am I looking to develop my experiences with what might be paranormal - I'm also extremely excited about the science behind it.

Watch this space, I'll blog when I can about our investigations and you'll not only get the chance to learn more about how Slaps does things, but you'll also get to see it from the point of view from someone who can already see the dead. This is going to be an interesting ride, guys.

Rae