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JoAnn D, New York .

After watching your TV interview, I decided to go to your website in an effort to communicate with someone else who is still haunted by 9/11.  I have not put in a claim for the victims fund as my injuries are emotional/mental and any physical pain I had was caused by my emotional state.  I currently receive Worker's Compensation, Social Security Disability, and benefits from a company sponsored long term disability policy.  The Long Term disability will end this year as mental disabilities are only covered for two years.  The Worker's Comp insurance company wants to give me a monetary settlement which would effectively end any responsibility that they have to me including my therapy.  Needless to say, I am no longer employed and had a career in Human Resources shattered.   

On the morning of 9/11, I was in my office in the Financial Center. We had recently moved from 4 World Trade to our own building.  For twelve years, I had spent most of my life in this area.  Fellow employees called me to see that one of the towers was on fire.  We did not yet know that it was a terrorist attack.  I was on the phone when the second plane hit.  Our building was evacuated and we stood there watching the devastation.  What I first thought was debris falling were people jumping out.  Realizing that we weren't safe, a number of us got on a ferry to Jersey .  We saw the towers fall.  Jersey was locked down and I didn't get home until about 12 that night.  

Given the nature of our business, the city okayed our building for business on the following Monday.  Going back to the site in the midst of all that devastation, I saw and experienced things that still haunt me.  I was able to do this for four days before I had a complete breakdown and had to be physically removed from the site.  My personal physician recommended therapy and I have been on medication ever since.  Even though my breakdown occurred more than a week after the attack, the Workers Compensation Board changed the date of my injury to 9/11, as my condition is a result of that day.  

I had been a very self-sufficient, high achiever before 9/11 and now find even day to day life a difficulty.  I do not enjoy the things that once gave me pleasure and feel that I have no idea of who I really am anymore.  I have not been able to go into Manhattan since that day.  I have found consolation in my religion but am still struggling. I will keep you in my prayers and wish you well in your battle.