The after math, the shock, the impact, the loss, the pain,
the forever changed Nation will once again come to a pause on September 11,
2011, when we all stop and take a moment to reflect and remember those that
were lost and wounded a decade ago. Many of us can still remember where we were
when we heard of the terrorist attacks on our Nation. I recall sitting in my
first period class my senior year in High School. The rest of the day all of my
teachers did nothing but watch the news as we all sat in awe and fear. This
event that went down in history stays with us because of how it impacted us.
Those that were impacted in severe ways who were there on the scene or survived
the attack carry this impact with them in far greater ways that we may never
fully understand.
Statistics from an article titled “Traumatic Brain Injuries
after Mass-Casualty Incidents: Lessons from the 11 September 2001 World Trade
Center Attacks,” show that from the 282 records that were abstracted from those
that were hospitalized in New York City, found 14 cases of diagnosed Traumatic
Brain Injury (TBI) victims and 21 cases of undiagnosed TBI victims, making a
total of 35 cases. This study showed that one-third of these cases consisted of
rescue workers and that these cases resulted primarily from the falling debris.
(Rutland-Brown et. al, 2007). There were probably many more that survived that
resulted with some level of a TBI that went undiagnosed for sometime after this
traumatic event. The reality here is that this attack on our Nation not only
caused irreversible emotional wounds for left behind family members that lost
their loved one, but it also caused irreversible physical wounds for those that
survived.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, severe head trauma is the most
common cause of death in terrorist bombings and has been identified as a major
injury in over half of those critically injured in such incidents (2009). Traumatic Brain Injuries, whether mild,
moderate or severe, can happen to anyone, at any time and is becoming one of
the leading causes of death and disability among young people. The cases of
diagnosed TBI’s and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have increased
significantly after the tragic event of September 11, 2001.
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In an effort to defend our Nation against future attacks of
this caliber, many have sacrificed who they once were. Many survivors of September
11, 2001, rescue workers and our troops now live lives re-learning how to once
again be and function in the land that they fought to keep free. Let us never
forget all that was lost for the freedoms we have today. Let us in honor of
these selfless and heroic individuals live a life in remembrance and gratitude.
This will bring far greater honor than a yearly moment of silence.
References
Rutland-Brown, W., Langlois, J.A.,
Nicaj, L., Thomas, R.B., Wilt, S.A., & Razarian, J.J.
(2007). Traumatic
brain injuries after mass-casualty incidents: Lessons from the 11 September
2001 World Trade Center attacks. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 22, Vo.l. 3. Abstract retrieved September 8, 2011,
from http://pdm.medicine.wise.edu
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services Center for Disease Control and
Prevention.
(2009). Blast Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries, June 2009. Available
from Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site, www.emergency.cdc.gov/Blastinjuries
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