My first conversation with Randi was tension filled and strained. As I go through the routine questions asked, I can feel her  dig her heels in and make a stand. When I get to the medical history, she describes a family history of ADHD,  Bipolar,  intercranial pressure/shunt in the left temple and eye disturbances. Yes there is use of pain medications. Her voice raises a notch and she explains. These paranormal events have happended all her life. Various people around her have experienced it as well. Regardless of the location she was living in. Her young son even started seeing two soldiers and animals early on.

I explain that our only concern in these cases is that a medical condition is ruled out first. With many bizarre symptoms of illness and different side effects of drugs , its rule #1 to put the health and well being of a client first. She agreed and repeated she just didn’t want us to automatically think its not paranormal because of the medical issues of the family. I tell her what the founder says all the time. A past medical history doesn’t exclude a person or family from paranormal activity. I was hoping she would feel a sense of relief, but none was felt. I certainly understand her fear of being dismissed because of the issues she spoke about.

When the topic of electrical wiring and EMF (electromagnetic fields) came up, it was clear why she found no comfort in my words. She described wiring issues, appliances turning on and off for no obvious reason. Again, her voice raised a notch. She explained she wanted to be able to point all of this stuff out, so she could show us its paranormal, not just EMF levels. She repeated past experiences that occured before she lived in this home.

I ask her what we ask of every client we work with. Can all but one occupant leave the home so we can do a thorough, unbiased investigation. The anxiety was obvious, she wanted to stay with us to explain why its paranormal. She was familiar with TAPS and knew we were a TAPS Family group. She expected us to go in looking to debunk. I confirmed this with her, but also added, we love finding things we cannot explain. Our goal on our first investigation is to get a good baseline for the home and property. As far as EMF levels go.  The question of what comes first, EMF or paranormal activity, is like asking what comes first, the chicken or the egg.  Research is still ongoing. And this is where being a science based group comes in handy. The team would love to get a baseline on the home with its EMF levels. Then return at a later date to investigate with the main breakers off. Its a habit of ours to return to a site on more than one occasion.

Our date set, we said our good byes. I sat back wondering if this would be a difficult case. Randi’s anxiety and concerns are well founded. But the team works the same way, regardless of these issues. I gave a run down to the pillars of the team. Jim responded as I expected. “Medical issues don’t exclude someone from paranormal activity.” I laughed and explained I did tell Randi that very same thing. Holly, JJ and Luke all felt it was an interesting case with lots of potential. As I expected, it was full steam ahead.

A few days before the investigation, I spoke with Randi about final details and arrangements. They were going to a hotel the night of the investigation. I found myself talking to a different Randi, relaxed and joking. I was encouraged. Maybe she did indeed find reassurance in my words.

We arrive in Carmel to find Jeff waiting for us in the driveway. A pleasant man with a wide smile. He invited us into his home where we met Randi and her son. Educated, easy going people with robust southern accents put the team at ease. We were on a tour of the home in no time.

Jeff and Randi headed out. She called back over her shoulder. “Make yourselves at home, help yourselves to snacks if you want.”

I watch her walk out the door. I admire her for her ability to trust us to do an unbiased investigation. I know it was hard to leave and not have input into our findings.

The house is quiet and calm. We set up our equipment and begin EMF sweeps. It becomes very obvious that the levels are high. A 1.4 to a 1.9 runs the length of the home. ( a level of 0.1 to 0.2 is commonly found) By the refridgerator its a 6.0 up to a 9.0 the higher you get. Every room has at least 1 digital clock at the head of the bed. (master bedroom had two) These read 43.6 . The grandfather’s room is small, with high EMF in the hall, a bedside clock and a computer in the room. The levels were the highest in this room.

We completed EVP sessions in the downstairs. When we returned to the kitchen  to do EVP sessions, all investigators felt the effects of the EMF. Headaches, nausea, and skin irritations were all experienced.

“Man my arms itch!” Luke says as he is vigorously scratching his arms.

I sit at the kitchen table feeling my skin crawl on my right shoulder and scalp. I wondered if one of our unseen friends had sidled up to me. Nope, just skin irritation.

No one could get a good feel for the house. The EMF clouded our minds like the stubborn fog of spring. We were in agreement that the breakers get shut off next time we come. Forced to pack up early, we climbed into the car,  each silently dealt with their own headache.

Evidence review had a couple of interesting clips. A few whispers were caught in the EMF epi center, the grandfather’s room. He claims to never feel alone. Feels there is always ’someone’ there with him. He even describes being shaken awake one eveing. When he woke he found no one there.

Another clip caught our attention. The son, going into the play room to retrieve an item, is heard ‘arguing’ with himself. This behavior was experienced one other time. Concerned for their son, Randi and Jeff brought him to see a psychiatrist. The only diagnosis is ADHD. I talk with Randi about preliminary findings and ask her if her son still sees the same doctor. She says no. I briefly outline the team’s concerns. That its important to rule out medical conditions first. She agrees.

Their main concern is to get their son comfortable with the paranormal events that  happen. Both Randi and Jeff are TAPS fans and would like their son the be intrigued by the science of the field. They want to draw his attention away from the hysteria and hype these events have generated in the past.  Getting him involved in the set up would appeal to his love of gadgets. Dad being a techie will continue to draw him into the level headed attitude the household maintains. We agree its the best way to keep him grounded. She tells me he asks about us everyday. “When are the coming back?……Can I help?” She is delighted by his interest.

I then ask her about writing this blog. I find it important to tell this story. The issues Randi and her family face are daily, life long  struggles.  The stress  and strain of keeping it all together and still moving forward has alot of people giving up. Yet Randi and Jeff’s home was just that, a home. They have her mom and grandfather living with them. A hearty sense of family settles in your soul. They accept each other regardless of the personal challenges each one of them has. Slow but sure…..they move forward in their lives.

To be automatically judged or dismissed because of medical issues or stereotypes is tragic and destructive. The level of anxiety Randi carries with her everyday puts added strain onto an already taxed family unit. She easily agrees with me, saying “go ahead and write”. My reassurances that I will let her proof read first, seems to be unnecessary. Again, her trust is admirable. I am grateful for the opportunity to have met Randi and her family. To be able to write about them is frosting on an already beautiful cake. MPS looks forward to returning to the home for a second investigation.