P000045
Wednesday, January 23, 2002 11:14 PM
Definition Of Victim
We are also Victims of Sept. 11th.
The definition of "victim" needs to be expanded to include those who suffered non-physical injuries. I was working in the area of the WTC and watched in horror as the
tragedy unfolded. I saw the towers hit, saw bodies raining from the towers, saw people jumping to their deaths and ran for my life as the first tower collapsed. These
events have left psychological scars which I do not think will ever be healed.
I sought treatment on Sept. 12th due to the extreme emotional response caused by what I witnessed. I was out of work for almost three weeks because of my emotional
state. I have been on medication for months so that I can cope with the event and having to go back to my job in the Ground Zero area each day. In fact, I was back in my
office on September 17th - approximately two blocks from the site. I had to go through police/military checkpoints to reach my office, had to wear a respiratory mask in
order to walk to my office from the subway and endured day after day of noxious odors emanating from the site which infiltrated our building despite efforts to make the
building air-tight.
I have endured headaches, sinus pain, nightmares and insomnia in addition to my emotional problems, yet I am not considered a victim because my "injuries" are not
physical in nature.
While my injuries are not physical or visible, they are there none the less and my life has been permanently affected as a result.
Please, I ask you, reconsider the definition of victim to include those who are suffering from psychological and emotional problems as a result of the Sept. 11th attacks.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Individual Comment
Reeders, Pa