W000226
Thursday, November 08, 2001 12:19 AM
Comments on being declared a non-victim!
Sirs:
I certainly would not deny compensation to anyone who lost a loved one
during the horrid tragedy at the World Trade Center.
I do feel that I and my neighbors are also victims.
I suffered only minor damage to my apartment corrected by cleaning people.
I had some insurance which helped compensate me for unusual expenses during
the period. A good friend put me up for some time. When she needed her
spare room back, the Red Cross put me a hotel and paid for an air filter (I
have serious allergies) for my apartment when I returned. FEMA also chipped
in some cash so I am not as hard hit as I might've been.
None of this takes into account the endless waiting, filling out forms, etc
to get these services. It was my full-time job for three weeks.
Union scale for my time for three weeks is almost $20,000.
Nor will I be compensated if my proposal (now over a month late) for a
project is rejected. My fee for this project could be as high as $50,000.
And there is the quality-of-life here. My commute to a health club used be
under 5 minutes. It is now almost an hour going and over an hour to return.
The market used to around the corner. It is now 4 blocks away.
There is no bank. ATM machines in the stores charge a fee each time and I
can't make deposits.
My drug store is across town now where it was across the street before.
It goes on. I haven't mentioned the health issues as I know others have
detailed them in their comments. Or the mental anguish. My therapist was on
vacation at the time. A short call to him cost $88. which may or may not be
compensated. Or the problems in asking friends over to my home. Since the
transit system seems to vary from hour to hour, I never know exactly what
to tell people how to get here.
Last, let me mention how emotionally devastated I was for my friends and
neighbors. While all my friends are accounted for, I was in the WTC all the
time. I worked out with people who were in the towers. I stood on line at
the Duane Reade drug store with other tower workers. While I never knew
them by name, they were part of my life, my neighbors.
Should I be compensated as a Crime Victim? I believe so. How much? I'd have
to guess. I spent more money for food than usual. My phone bills were
higher. etc. etc. etc. The major thing is the emotional stress and strain.
How much is that worth? You tell me. Just don't tell me I'm not a crime
victim.
Individual Comment
New York, NY