WHAT WE DO BEST

By Karen Weinberg QDE
Acting President, CHAI

Ten years have passed since I attended that New Year's Eve Party in December of 1991. I had just received my handwriting certification and my friend "Amy" thought it would be a great opportunity for me to experience my first party as a Handwriting Analyst. At that time I had no idea how this decision was to shape the rest of my career in this fascinating field.

At 9:00 pm on that cold, dark night, feelings of apprehension and excitement engulfed me as Amy and I approached the house. Once inside, I found myself standing alone in a room with about 50 strangers. To introduce myself over the clamor of the local conversations, I raised my voice and announced, "Hi, I'm Karen and I'm here tonight to analyze your handwriting." I added, "I even profile children and couples. So come on into the living room when you're ready." Then I headed for the couch in the living room where I settled in for the evening. 

For the next four hours, I never left that couch. I do remember someone bringing me food sometime after we counted down the New Year.

It was about 1:00 am when a young man of about 16 sat down next to me on the couch. The warmth from the fireplace lit up his very serious face. I explained to him that handwriting is actually brain writing, and that his handwriting couldn't lie to me. He nodded, and presented me a half page he had written. I looked at the handwriting for a moment and then softly asked him, "When are you planning to do this?" He gave me a startled look and replied, "What do you mean?" I repeated my question. This time he looked at me with a steady gaze and admitted that this was going to be his last party.

The handwriting showed a downward slope, heavy pressure, with ending strokes that all finished downward. His slant was far left, every t-bar was crossed backwards, and the middle zone consisted of both small and large letters. The final clue was that all the lines continued past the right margin and off the side of the page. A graphologist's worst nightmare -- a potential suicide!

"Do you have anyone here who really loves you?"

After a pause he said, "Yes, my grandmother."

"Don't you think we should tell her about this? I'm sure she would want to know."

There was another pause, and then he said, "I'll get her."

He quickly jumped up and disappeared into the din of voices. There were over 100 people at the party and I had no idea if that young man was just going to fade into the crowd or come back with his grandmother. I knew that it had to be his decision.

That was the longest 10 minutes I have ever lived through. He came back with a very puzzled grandmother in tow. I noticed that he had grabbed her hand and was leading her over to me. The noise from the party suddenly seemed to dim into the distance as these two people made their way over to me. He seated her on my right and then perched himself very nervously on my left as he briefly introduced her to me.

I asked him if he had told his grandmother what we had spoken about. He said no. I asked him if he wanted to tell her or should I. He said, "Could you, please." I could see tears starting to form as his eyes darted back and forth between his grandmother and me. I turned to the perplexed grandmother and said, "Your grandson has just told me this is his last party. I want you to understand that he means it. It shows all over his handwriting." She immediately understood what I was saying and began to cry.

I realized this situation was beyond the realm of my handwriting skills and required the expertise of a psychologist. I asked the grandmother if she knew anyone who could help her and she just shook her head. I said, "A little while ago I analyzed the handwriting of a child psychologist and I know by her handwriting that she will be glad to help. Do I have your permission to go find her?"

Leaving both of them, I went and found the psychologist. I quickly explained the situation and she immediately followed me back to the couch. Pointing to a room, she said, "Would you please follow me over to this room where we can be alone and discuss this situation?" She turned to me and thanked me for finding her and then whisked them off. 

I then continued to analyze the handwriting of the remaining guests until I went home at 6:00 am.

It had been a last minute decision to go to the party. I never knew what happened to that young man and I was so glad I was there to help. At that time, I knew that I had done the right thing and it gave me a warm and comfortable feeling to know that the young man would have the opportunity to find his answers with the help of an appropriate trained therapist.

Over the past ten years and with many experiences, I have realized that Handwriting Professionals should just analyze the handwriting. And when abnormal medical and psychological conditions are found in handwriting, we should suggest that they consult with others who have been professionally trained to help with those problems.