I Am A World Trade Center Survivor

Do you have what it takes to look certain death in the face and fight back? Our newest guest blogger here at StopStressingNow.Com did just that. In what is quite possibly the most famous terrorist attack in history, this inspiring lady dug deep within and found the sheer will to survive. Her story has touched me personally, so I asked her to share with us some of what she has learned since the day the world stood still. She was there. September 11th 2001.

It’s with great pleasure I introduce to you someone you will never forget…

Nicole B. Simpson

Facing death almost always forces an individual to assess what is really important in life.  My story is no different.  My name is Nicole Simpson and I am a World Trade Center survivor. My life was totally fulfilled and I was achieving the American dream on September 10, 2001.  But the next day changed everything. I represent the typical family – a wife and mother of two children.  We were a two income household living in a nice community attempting to increase our quality of life.  Then disaster hit us all.  Scared and uncertain of what the future was going to hold, I faced many obstacles after the tragic events.

It was primary election day in New York City on September 11, 2001.  Clear blue skies, people hustling, scrambling off to work on a bright and sunny day. While sitting in my office on the 73^rd floor of Two World Trade Center, Tower I was hit by an airplane.  After a few moments, I was compelled to leave the building and I began to walk down the steps from the 73^rd floor.  It was while I was on the 44^th floor contemplating going back upstairs to my office because announcements were being made that our building was secure, that Tower II, the building I was in, was hit also.  The plane went right through the 73^rd floor.  The building shook violently, people were hurt all around me hit by debris and moving objects. After a few moments, I began to walk down the steps in an attempt to hightail it out of the building watching people suffer, seeing bodies fall from the sky, experiencing my own personal pain.

What do you do when you have a close encounter with death? How do you recover from catastrophic and traumatic events?  How does one begin the pick up the pieces of their life and move forward adjusting to the “new normal”?  Unfortunately, heinous crimes are real, premature death hits close to home and people suffer from chronic diseases in our families.  But does the crisis have to define your future?  Can you regain mental and emotional stability and enjoy life again?

Although our company had relocated to another location (Madison Square Garden), I could not fathom returning to New York.  On the first day, there was a bomb scare at that location and although I was not there, I could not endure the pressure of another attack.  I had already lost everything.  Afterwards, as a financial consultant, my attempt to rebuild a business in the uncertain economy left me financially vulnerable.  Although I had accumulated savings, without a consistent income, my family endured serious financial hardship after one year.  I had to face the pressure of moving on, no income and guilt because of my survival.  To make matters worse, physically, I began to deal with uneven breathing, lack of sleep and constant nightmares.  I went to a counselor but I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt and anger.  My life was fine-why me, why me?  I even thought about the fact that my family wouldn’t suffer financially had I not survived.  Here I was planning for everyone else’s future but after one year, our family was in turmoil.

But you are still standing and that makes you a survivor.  I began to realize that in order for me to regain control of my destiny, I needed to make some adjustments in my life.  It helped to ease the pain and guilt I felt and it allowed me to channel my energy into doing something positive.  So if you’ve experienced trauma, here are a few adjustments you can make to move forward.

1-Acknowledge the root of your pain. Any attempts to mask your emotions will only prolong the inevitable.  If you are angry, it’s okay to be angry.  If you feel guilty, write out why you feel this way and begin to deal with the guilt.  If you are sad, it’s okay to feel sad for awhile.  All of these emotions are natural responses to crisis.

2-Seek out the support of a counselor. Sometimes it helps to speak to others about what you’re experiencing.  You can select a traditional counselor, a close friend you trust or a spiritual advisor.  They grant you the freedom to express yourself without being judged.

3-Adjust to the “new normal”. If you have been diagnosed with a chronic illness, there are some serious changes you will confront.  If you lost a spouse or a parent, you will have to learn how to move forward without them.  However, it does not mean your life is over.

4-Consider volunteering in a charitable or community organization that focuses on what has pained you the most.  Having gone through the experience, you will find that being around other people with similar experiences serve as the best medicine.

5-Remember you are a survivor and you are here on earth for a purpose.

My husband and children understood my pain, my erratic outbursts, and they adjusted to my new sleep schedule.  The road to recovery for me included sharing my story with people and educating individuals about the importance of disaster planning.  My family rallied behind me because they knew that a strong family bond could cure all hurt and pain.  Their love and support gave me the strength to move forward.  While we have survived as a family, I am mindful years later that true love will always make an individual consider the inevitable.

What quality of life will your family endure if you weren’t available physically or emotionally?

My family is so important to me that I made it a priority to move forward and increase our quality of life.  You can do the same for the ones you love.

For More Information on Nicole, please visit: www.NicoleBSimpson.com