Opinion

If like me, you have something to say about a news story please email them to us and they will be posted here.

08.06.2003

Does Anyone Bother Anymore?

Why are you here, on this particular site out of the billions of pages available? Curiosity, information, resources, or just bored and surfing? I ask this because I wonder if anyone is really that bothered about the effects and ramifications of 9/11. Or has there been such a saturation of information and attention that it seems to have worn thin?  

Last week I was fortunate enough to attend a support group in the city, dedicated to those people that, like me, have an injury incurred on September 11, 2001 . I was surprised that more people did not attend; I would say about thirty to thirty five were there. The group summed up the general cross section of who were affected nearly two years ago;  the attack affected every ‘type’ or demographic you can imagine, victims of every age group, race and color, career level, education, and income. You name it.     

Unfortunately for me I could only stay for part of the session, but I left with two thoughts. Firstly, where are all the other people? Surely this cannot be it?  Why are people so afraid to make it known that they were injured, to reach out for help? Are they afraid? Maybe I have this all wrong, perhaps there are people out there that are seeking help and cannot be bothered to get involved with support, like the group meeting, this website. Or they simply have their own resources. Then again maybe there are those who don’t know about resources available.  Funny thing; It was only over a year ago I learned of the VCF.  I have to wonder if there has been a breakdown in communication somewhere along the line, a breakdown nearly two years old that is not getting the word out effectively.  Maybe some people want to put it at rest and move on.  

No one can ever help the families regain what they ultimately lost in the attacks. The TV, newspapers, internet, etc. have ensured the right attention; but not for the injured. That’s why 9/11 Injured was created. I still cannot understand why there have not been more people rising up and speaking out. Surely there are more that have something to say, good or bad about areas like the VCF, ramifications of personal injury.

I recall that just before I made my application I procrastinated because I knew that I fell outside the statute, mainly the 72 hour rule, so I thought to myself, why bother? It’s a 37 page application. At the time, and being new at this I simply thought this was a way to get back some lost dollars through medical coverage. Why should I spend hours doing that form? After all there were families that lost their main wage earners, right?  Basically I sat and thought about this for weeks only to come to the conclusion that the fund and the parameters were wrong and I was going to fight for what I believe are my rights. Why shouldn’t I? After all don’t we love in a democracy where I can do this?

The second thought I left the support group with was that there are people like me who have injuries that are not visible to the eye. There are no working sticks, neck collars etc, there is nothing. That does not mean that there is no pain.  Too many people have said to me, ‘you don’t look like you were injured’. I don’t even talk about it now. I am sick and tired explaining myself. I am sick and tired of seeing that look on people’s face, you know what I mean, the look of being a fraud. Hey everyone has the right to their opinion, but not every injury need a cast, or a bandage. We don’t need a label; we have enough to contend with!

I wonder how many people have learned that they may have fallen outside the parameters of eligibility of the fund and have decided not to go ahead?  If you are among the injured, ask yourself one thing -- are you going accept a decision without really knowing?  Without submitting an application?

The deadline for filing is December 22 nd 2003. The Department of Justice expects a windfall of applications around Thanksgiving. So either sit there and do nothing about it or fill out the damn form and send it in. It’s a few hours work and trip to the post office and a buck for a stamp. 

  Dennis