need support on conquerring my ladder phobia

[GardenWeasel]

Due to a hawk getting into my coop yesterday, i have to finish putting up aviary netting now. On a ladder! Yesterday I was so angry I just started. Today I am a panic stricken, sweating, weeping piece of crap. I am 1/2 done. Somebody kick me, there's no one else to do it.

 

[wombat]

I can sympatize. I rock climb. I've rapelled off buildings, cliffs, and out of helicopters (in the dark, in the rain, both - Go Army!). I've had a fear of ladders since falling off one when a young child, and I still don't like them, if it's a ladder leaned against something where it might slide, like the one that dumped me to the ground from roof height when I was little.

Are you afraid of the ladder tipping, or of falling off?

If it is the tipping thing, take some time to set the ladder so it is stable. Go up a few steps, rest a book on a rung, and read for a while. Try again a few steps higher. Often you can get over your concerns with some gradual exposure. You don't need to perch high up a ladder reading a book, making the neighbors think you've lost it ... just being on it a while and realizing that it's not going anywhere will probably do it! If you can't take the book trick, try just relaxing and looking around, or have a conversation with someone on the ground nearby. If the ladder is not all that tall (and how high are you going to put netting on a coop?) ... you can probably get to where being a few steps up the ladder feels "normal."

When you're working with the ladder, take time to set it so that it is stable, and within reach of what you're working on so you don't have to stretch. Take time to move the ladder as you need to, instead of reaching or leaning. It's a tool, no different than a power saw ... just use it carefully.

Good luck!

 

[NGT ANGL]

Wombat gave excellent advice. I would also focus on why you are there to begin with - protecting your birds - and use that little bit of motivation as well. I hate ladders also and try not to look down unless I have to...Good luck!

 

[CMV]

GET IT TOGETHER MAN!!

No, seriously, my best friend is terrified of ladders and has 8 foot ceilings in her house. I go over to change her lightbulbs, help with painting, etc. It's a crippling fear. Seek out a good therapist to work through your issues. In the meanwhile, wombat has some good suggestions. Can anyone come to help you out? Any teens in the neighborhood looking to make a few bucks? Whenever I have an unpleasant task to deal with I go looking for the 16 y.o. living down the street and offer to pay him to do it for me. It works out well for all parties.

Good luck and I'm sorry. It's a tough thing to live with.

 

[GardenWeasel]

Thankyou Wombat. It is both a tipping and falling issue. I need both hands to staple the netting and when I can't hold on to something I panic, balance issue since eye surgery. My chick run is not very even but though the hawk did not get a meal it was the cause of a chicken stuffing itself into a cement bock so tightly I had to rescue it. I will try again. I hate aviary netting and staple guns.

 

[Blue Skys]

You can do it!! I'm terrified of anything I have to step up on, well ok, maybe not that bad, but pretty bad. Don't concentrate on being up high, just concentrate on getting the job done safely, and as quickly as possible so that you can put the ladder away and never look at it again - well, until the next time you have to use it.

 

[GardenWeasel]

Thanks to all for your support and advice. The job is done and I didn't fall off the ladder or staple a finger. I am still shaky and my husband will be appalled at how it looks when he comes home in 2 weeks but the chicks can use the run without fear. We just finished it last weekend and thought it would be safe. I am just glad not to have lost any chicks. I don't think that particular hawk will come back cause he was trapped and flying madly into windows and walls.

 

[ChicknJ]

Good Job Garden Weasel. Give yourself a pat on the back, and worry not what it looks like, effective is better than aesthetics.

 

[gypsy2621]

Quote:
I would come hold your hand, but um yeah no sorry cant do it either, I have had a deathly fear of heights since I was a child, I was up 6 rungs on a ladder and forgot where I was and stepped off into mid air.
Nothing busted but my pride and confidence. I haven't gotten on a ladder since.
Now with age and balance issues I wouldnt even dare.
I sincerely feel for your situation. Is there some way you can hire someone to come do it for you?

 

[wombat]

Glad to hear you got it done!