Man finds strength to walk after 10 years of immobility
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Tim Morgan, left, walks with the assistance of a walker and Master Behnam Saghafiof Advanced Hypnosis. Saghafi's treatments helped Morgan walk after 10 years.

For more than 10 years, Tim Morgan was mentally confined to a wheelchair. He was unable to walk due to overwhelming fear as the result of a fall earlier in his life.

His parents, Dick and Florence Morgan, said they tried everything before they were referred to Master Behnam Saghafiof Advanced Hypnosis in Tonawanda.

Tim's primary physician, Dr. Zia Shiekh, recommended that the family seek alternative methods after attempting numerous physical treatments.

During his first visit, Tim, 36, walked out of Saghafi's office with the assistance of a chair to where his mother was waiting.

Dick described the feeling of seeing his son walk as amazing as when Tim was a teen and walked again after being put in casts for months to correct a foot deformation.

"When he took that first step (Florence) cried, it was close to that reaction," Dick said.

The family lives in Steamburg, near Olean, and travels to Saghafi's office on Niagara Falls Boulevard near the Interstate 290 exit. Tim has been working with Saghafifor three months.

"When Tim came to me he was crawling with his face close to the ground. He only walked by putting his hands on the ground," Saghafisaid. "He had a fear of falling again."

He added that he used hypnotic methods to help Tim laugh at scenarios that used to scare him. The fear Tim once related to walking was replaced with humor. Saghafidescribes his treatment methods as complementary to medical doctor's efforts - not alternative procedures.

Not fully using his muscles for more than a decade, Tim used the assistance of the chair when he first walked. He now uses a walker.

"Tim still falls sometimes, but he doesn't stay on the ground. He used to huddle in a ball, and now he gets up quickly," he said.

Not only has Tim's physical strength improved during the past three months, but he is also gaining confidence, his father said.

"He is more outgoing than he was, and confident," Dick said. "The results have been very, very good."

Saghafiagreed, adding that Tim has even asked for a basket for his walker. Asking for things he wanted was something Tim never did before.

"We each have the power within us to do amazing things ... and what made this work so well is this belief I had in Timmy's own ability," he said.

Tim has a mental condition that causes him to be extra-sensitive to loud, unexpected noises. It was a noise that caused Tim to fall 10 years ago, hitting his head and creating a cut in need of 32 stitches, Saghafisaid.

"Timmy and his parents had seen many doctors, physical therapists and counselors," he said. "In our safe environment, my role was to bring out his abilities and restore the confidence that he could walk again. My role now is somewhat of a personal coach."

Saghafisaid during the past 10 years Tim has been physically able to walk but feared falling.

Now, in addition to walking tall, Tim has also been sitting up straight and his attitude has become more positive.

"He is much happier, just to be able to walk," Saghafisaid.

A resident of Amherst, Saghafisaid he sees potential in everyone. He has a doctorate and is a graduate of the University at Buffalo, a certified hypnotist and a grandmaster in Tae Kwon Do.

Saghafisaid during his first session with Tim, when the man took his first step, he empowered Tim with a method that combines hypnosis, positive reinforcement, motivational coaching and physical reconditioning.

Tim's progress can be tracked at www.master-mind.us.