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The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences – Dr Penny Sartori

Pam Williams from Swansea had an NDE when she haemorrhaged after childbirth:

The doctor came in his car. Even though it was physically impossible I saw the doctor get out of his car and run up our path; he threw off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves and examined me, he appeared to be trying to pull something out. He then banged me on the chest and inserted a needle into my heart and injected me with something. He breathed into my mouth. All the time this was happening I felt fine; warm, happy, full of joy, peaceful, gently floating towards brilliant light. Suddenly in the distance I heard my eldest daughter shout, 'Mam'. I remember thinking, 'Oh dear, Jacquie needs me,' and I came back with a jolt.

The doctor had already sent my husband to phone for the emergency maternity ambulance (no mobile phones in those days). The ambulance came with a specialist doctor in attendance.

I was stabilized and bundled with my new-born daughter into the ambulance and with the sirens blaring was raced to hospital.

When I went for my postnatal appointment six weeks later I told the doctor what I had seen. He was amazed that I could describe the event in such detail but didn't have any explanation. This near-death experience left me with a special legacy: I know for certain that death is not to be feared. I am not a religious person but I believe there is a warm peaceful beautiful place after death. I also felt I had somehow been given the choice as to whether I should continue my journey towards the bright light or return; I chose the latter.

This experience was put to the back of my mind. I was an uneducated miner's wife with four small children. I did odd jobs cleaning and being a dinner lady when at the age of 34 a number of seemingly accidental events led me back into education. Within the next six years I became a nursery nurse, a RNMS and a staff nurse RGN.

Within four years of qualifying I became a sister on the coronary- care unit in Sheffield. Then everything seemed to fall into place: it was not serendipity or chance that had given me skills and knowledge. I humbly felt that this was the right place for me since my own near-death experience enabled me to give help and support to the dying and newly bereaved patients and families. My own non fear of dying helped me explore aspects of death, firstly at degree, and then at masters level, by which time I was a lecturer in nursing and palliative care.

I truly believe that had I not experienced near death, I would not have striven to explore death issues and would probably have remained content not to return to education. As a person I changed from the moment of my near-death experience; I felt an overwhelming sense of joy, and a need to help and support others. I believe strongly in the philosophy of everyday doing something or giving something to help others, often random strangers. I also strongly believe that religion is just a word and that each individual person is responsible for how they choose to live their lives.