8/4/2019 9/11 Survivors Ten Years Later (Page 6)

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29 A DIStINCtIve Style . Com

I am a World Trade Center 

Survivor. I worked at 2 WTC on

the 73rd loor and was still on

the 44th loor with the plane hit 

the building. I have images for-

ever etched in my mind which

have not diminished through

the years. There are times in

which I’ve been depressed, angry,

over whelmed with grief and 

 grateful to be alive. Indeed I’ve

suffered from survivor’s guilt 

and I question where my family 

would be if I had not survived.

I had a very successful, prom-

ising career in the inancial 

securities industry positioned 

to blossom. I was a young,

  African American certiied i-

nancial planner with the right 

industry credentials who had 

opportunity was snatched away 

in an instant.

In the immediate aftermath, I was so grateful to be alive. I thought 

with my experience and expertise, I would be capable of rebounding. I 

didn’t consider sleepless nights, physical pain, lashbacks and severe

depression in the equation. Those emotions coupled with my fear of 

returning to New York City placed me on a life course I had not considered.

I loundered in my ield until I hit rock bottom in 2007. A year illed 

with disappointment and pain because I could not recover physically,

mentally and inancially. The nightmares were worse each year and my 

breathing was dificult. I felt as if I carried a heavy weight on my chest 

as an accessory and inally, I reached the point of no return. A decision

had to be made. Was I going to continue to allow September 11th 2001

to defeat me or would I make every attempt to ind myself again.

In 2008, I chose to live. It began with a speech I gave titled Dare 2

Dream. While preparing the speech, I began to dream again. I decided 

to speak to people who suffered from catastrophic and traumatic events

to encourage them to not allow their situations to deine their future.

In encouraging others, a spark was ignited in me. Today I still suffer 

 from bouts of depression, anxiety and stress but I simply continue todream new dreams.

 ___________________

Nic B. Sipsn, CFP rprsns h surirs. Sh spn as hr

ars aking indiiduas wh wr dirc ipacd b h ragd f 

9/11/2001. In Jun, 2011, sh rasd h surir’s sr d 9/11/01

 A Long Road Toward Recovery.

Nicole B. Simpson

Denise Gould | Department of Defense

 ___________________

Nic wud ik radrs f A Disnc S ha an ppruni

rad hr rcn pubishd bk. Sh is dnang 3 augraphd cpis

f 9/11/01 A Long Road Toward Recovery .

Fr a chanc win, cick the buon and rgisr...