the michael hingson blog

On September 11, 2001 I was employed by a Fortune five hundred company to lead and manage the mid-Atlantic region sales workplace for our firm. This office was located on the 78th floor of Tower One in all the world Trade Center. At 8:forty five AM I was in my workplace preparing to conduct a coaching seminar when our building was attacked by terrorists. I escaped along with many thousands of different individuals while 3000 others perished within the collapse of the towers.

Within a day the news media heard about my particular story and also the clamor for interviews began. Although my escape from the terrorist attacks wasn't very any completely different than any story told that day, initial the media than others became intrigued regarding my story. The difference between me and most anyone else who was in the globe Trade Center that day is that I happen to be totally blind and use a guide dog. Most people suppose that it is incredible that a blind person could even be in the globe Trade Center abundant less escape from it on 9/eleven.

Shortly once the terrorist attacks I began receiving invites to travel and tell my story. What I soon realized was that people were wanting for something positive to require off from what happened that day. I additionally discovered that individuals were wanting for lessons they may use in their lives - lessons from someone who survived the most horrific attack ever to be perpetrated on Americans or anyone else in the planet for that matter. Of course, I know that people were intrigued about a blind person being in the globe Trade Center. It didn't hurt that I continually travel with a cute dog who batted her lashes and hammed it up whenever she could.

Since 9/11 I actually have traveled throughout the globe speaking and telling my story in addition to helping folks to move on after the attacks and generally when sudden changes in their own lives. Among my travels I actually have had the pleasure and joy to go to many colleges and universities, high faculties, and even some elementary schools. I still am not certain who is gained more from these visits - me or the scholars and colleges who have heard me speak. Either way, I think the most vital take away I even have imparted and continue to handle is Tolerance and Inclusion.

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 occurred in half as a result of our government failed to take the time to perceive or truly address the problems of people who live a completely different lifestyle than we. Before nine/eleven few of us knew anything regarding Al Qaeda, the Muslim lifestyle, or the issues faced by most people within the Middle East. Oh yes, some of us remember the Iranian hostage crisis of 1980. Some of us also keep in mind the Israeli wars with its neighbors. Even therefore, we have a tendency to did not spend a lot of time understanding the individuals.

Likewise during this country, we tend to don't pay enough time understanding our own voters who could be totally different than we tend to. For example, regardless of how abundant I even have talked concerning nine/11 and my story, no matter the fact that I even have printed a book, “Thunder Dog”, which has become a range one New York Times bestseller, and no matter how a lot of I and others worked to educate people about the actual fact that we who have thus-referred to as physical disabilities will live as which means and productive a lifestyle as anyone else I am still asked the query“what were you doing in the globe Trade Center?”. This morning, September 11, 2012, throughout a nationally syndicated radio interview concerning “Thunder Dog” and my story the reporter expressed amazement that I could be in the globe Trade Center as a result of I was a blind person. I explained that in reality the true “handicap” that I face isn't blindness, however rather it consists of the misconceptions and lack of education that people have concerning blindness.

Whether an individual is blind, uses a wheelchair, is deaf or laborious of hearing, is of a completely different race than we have a tendency to, or has some other difference that stands out to us I assume it is important that we have a tendency to learn to be more tolerant and find ways to work along. On this day which has come back to represent one in all the most traumatic times in our history allow us to take a step back from the divisive political campaigns depicted by the media and inspired by the politicians, allow us to take some moments to think about and better understand people who may be different than us, and let us work together to revitalize our national spirit of unity for all individuals during this country thus that we have a tendency to can be a true positive example for the remainder of the planet.

Question: what do you do and the way do you're feeling when you encounter someone with a physical disability? What assumptions do you make which could or could not be true? I would like to read your answers. Please comment and leave your thoughts. Find out more interesting stories in The Michael Hingson Group