One Florida fall day ( temperature below 90 degrees and low humidity) I was talking on the phone when the conversation spiraled into a verbal beat-down. Being the recipient, my emotions rose and I started crying. Without warning-- my airways slammed shut. The other person continued berating me, while the phone fell from my hand. I could not utter a word, a whisper, or a sound. I had zero oxygen.

Author's Note: I give permission for this short memoir to be copied (under the conditions that it is written in its entirety and includes medical warnings) by any person in any language.