Deaf survivor shares harrowing 9/11 experience

Sandra Rosario, who now works at the Seymour Club, was in New York on that fateful day.

Ms Rosario was born deaf, so the situation was harder to understand.

On the subway under the World Trade Center, she was on her way to see clients for a psychiatric meet.

“I noticed everyone was stressing about something that I was not aware of because I can’t hear what happened,” she said.

“I felt a vibration and I had no idea (what was happening).

“I was nervous and frustrated not knowing what was happening.

“I was stuck for 20 minutes and at around 9.15am, I noticed smoking in the tunnel.”

When she got out of the subway, she realised the first tower had collapsed and that caused the smoke seen in the tunnel.

“I saw the second tower on fire and I realised the first tower had collapsed,” she said.

“The second tower went down, dust from smoke hit me, but I was safe just 10 to 15 minutes away from the second tower.”

But the real challenge had started: Ms Rosario had hurt her foot when a rock hit it from the falling debris.

“At the time, old mobile technology for the deaf wasn’t the best,” she said.

“I asked people to help me, but nobody was able to.”

Ms Rosario was worried about her clients so she tried contacting her boss, but all services, including transportation, were cut off.

“I asked the police to tell me what was going on and how I can get back to work,” she said.

“Unfortunately, the police were too busy.

“I was emotional and traumatised by lack of information and communication system.

“I was frustrated not being able to contact anyone and work.”

Seeing as she wasn’t able to get help, she followed the crowd and had to walk five hours to her home.

“There was no deaf accessibility for emergency services,” she said.

“It was a hard part, but (I) managed safely on my own.

“I was exhausted from anxiety and stress.”

Ms Rosario said she walked slowly, rested, took off her shoes, and did it all over again.

She eventually managed to make contact with a friend.

“They were shocked and empathetic,” she said.

“At the time, I had no family to contact.”

Ms Rosario still carries the traumatic experience with her.

“I think everyone needs to know about how to help deaf people in emergency situations,” she said.

“I learnt it the hard way, so I have to be prepared with a phone and a necklace sign as deaf accessible for emergency services.

“I hope this will better help the deaf community.

“I won’t forget what happened.

“There will always be trauma in my life that I will never talk about.”