So I have a lot of irrational fears and superstitions that I'm proud of...but perhaps the most irrational fear is my paranoia of garbage disposals. It may have started with an overly cautious dad repeatedly telling me as a young kid the dangers of sticking my hand down the disposal. I cannot begin to count the number of nightmares I've woke up from where myself or one of my kids is getting their hand carved up by a disposal that was accidentally turned on while someone was reaching down for a fork or spoon. Random right? Is there a Latin name for my paranoia?

To this day, when I reach into the disposal to unseat a cup, or grab silverware that has fallen in...I won't do it if anyone is in the kitchen. I need a safe perimeter as I assume anyone close is going to sprint to the switch and catch me with my hand down the chute! The other strange unexplained fear I have centers on the idea that a steak knife or glassware is down the disposal...and when I turn on the disposal shards of sharp metal or pieces of glass are going to come flying out and blind me. So without really thinking anymore...before I turn on the disposal. I turn my head away and tightly close my eyes....just in case. 🙁

It has become legend and an ongoing joke between my kids and wife towards me. But I argue you can't be too careful. While I realize how nuts this is...and some of this is tic...I do turn away and close my eyes, and I make sure no one is in the kitchen if I reach in, and it is my more common reoccurring nightmare.

So in an effort to receive group therapy on a message board full of strangers...can anyone say with conviction that they know of someone that has been injured by a garbage disposal in a kitchen sink?