the michael hingson blog

On September 11, 2001 I was utilized by a Fortune 500 company to lead and manage the mid-Atlantic region sales workplace for our firm. This workplace was located on the 78th floor of Tower One of the planet Trade Center. At eight:forty five AM I was in my workplace getting ready to conduct a training seminar when our building was attacked by terrorists. I escaped along with several thousands of other people while 300zero others perished within the collapse of the towers.

Within on a daily basis the news media heard about my specific story and also the clamor for interviews began. Although my escape from the terrorist attacks was not really any different than any story told that day, 1st the media than others became intrigued about 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 folks think that it's unbelievable that a blind person could even be in the world Trade Center a lot of less escape from it on nine/eleven.

Shortly once the terrorist attacks I began receiving invites to travel and tell my story. What I soon realized was that individuals were looking for one thing positive to take aloof from what happened that day. I also discovered that people were wanting for lessons they may use in their lives - lessons from somebody who survived the most horrific attack ever to be perpetrated on Americans or anyone else in the world for that matter. Of course, I recognize that people were intrigued regarding a blind person being in the planet Trade Center. It didn't hurt that I continuously travel with a cute dog who batted her lashes and hammed it up whenever she may.

Since 9/11 I actually have traveled throughout the world speaking and telling my story along with helping folks to move on once the attacks and sometimes when surprising changes in their own lives. Among my travels I have had the pleasure and joy to visit many schools and universities, high faculties, and even some elementary schools. I still am not positive who is gained additional from these visits - me or the scholars and faculties who have heard me speak. Either manner, I think the foremost vital take away I actually have imparted and continue to address is Tolerance and Inclusion.

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 occurred in part as a result of our government failed to take the time to perceive or really address the issues of individuals who live a completely different lifestyle than we. Before 9/eleven few people knew something regarding Al Qaeda, the Muslim lifestyle, or the issues faced by most people in the Middle East. Oh yes, a number of us keep in mind the Iranian hostage crisis of 1980. A number of us also keep in mind the Israeli wars with its neighbors. Even therefore, we tend to didn't pay a lot of time understanding the individuals.

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

Whether a person is blind, uses a wheelchair, is deaf or arduous of hearing, is of a different race than we tend to, or has another distinction that stands out to us I assume it is vital that we have a tendency to learn to be more tolerant and notice ways that to work together. On this day that has return to represent one amongst the foremost traumatic times in our history let us 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 consider and higher perceive those who might be totally different than us, and allow us to work together to revitalize our national spirit of unity for all folks in this country thus that we tend to can be a real positive example for the remainder of the world.

Question: what do you are doing and the way do you are feeling when you encounter someone with a physical disability? What assumptions do you make which might or could not be true? I would like to read your answers. Please comment and leave your thoughts.
Michael Hingson
The Michael Hingson