![What if you were on the 68th floor? [Rebroadcast #203]](https://s3.castbox.fm/53/d8/18/e46444f1e12020f2fc3ff586c89573f677_scaled_v1_400.jpg "What if you were on the 68th floor? [Rebroadcast #203]")
What if you were on the 68th floor? [Rebroadcast #203]
What if you were on the 68th floor? [Rebroadcast #203]
2Digest
This podcast episode features Kayla Bergeron, who recounts her experience being on the 68th floor of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks. The episode begins with Kayla's background, including her upbringing in Louisiana, her childhood aspirations, and her career path leading to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Kayla describes her role as a public affairs director at the Port Authority and her fond memories of working at the World Trade Center. She then recounts the events of September 11th, including the initial impact, the confusion, and her efforts to establish communication. Kayla details her harrowing evacuation from the World Trade Center, the building's twist, the burst pipes, and the moment she realized the gravity of the situation. She describes being rescued by Port Authority Police Officer David Lim, the chaotic climb through the building, and the surreal experience of emerging into a snow-covered plaza. Kayla recounts the immediate aftermath, including the search for missing colleagues and the emotional toll of the event. She shares the process of identifying survivors and the emotional impact of attending numerous funerals. Kayla discusses the 9/11 commission hearings and the survivor's guilt she experienced. She reveals her struggles with PTSD and alcoholism, attributing them to the trauma of 9/11 and the subsequent events. Kayla describes her journey through the Forsyth County Accountability Court, her diagnosis, and the path to recovery.
Outlines
9/11 Survivor's Story: Kayla Bergeron's Journey
This episode features Kayla Bergeron, who recounts her experience being on the 68th floor of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks. The episode covers her background, her career path leading to the Port Authority, and the events of September 11th, including the initial impact, the confusion, and her harrowing evacuation.
Kayla's Evacuation and Aftermath
Kayla details her harrowing evacuation from the World Trade Center, the building's twist, the burst pipes, and the moment she realized the gravity of the situation. She describes being rescued by Port Authority Police Officer David Lim, the chaotic climb through the building, and the surreal experience of emerging into a snow-covered plaza. Kayla recounts the immediate aftermath, including the search for missing colleagues and the emotional toll of the event.
Dealing with Loss, Grief, and PTSD
Kayla shares the process of identifying survivors and the emotional impact of attending numerous funerals. She discusses the 9/11 commission hearings and the survivor's guilt she experienced. Kayla reveals her struggles with PTSD and alcoholism, attributing them to the trauma of 9/11 and the subsequent events.
Recovery and Advocacy
Kayla describes her journey through the Forsyth County Accountability Court, her diagnosis, and the path to recovery. She discusses her commitment to helping others who are struggling with trauma, addiction, or mental health challenges.
Keywords
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, and emotional distress.
Survivor's Guilt
Survivor's guilt is a feeling of guilt or shame experienced by someone who has survived a traumatic event, especially when others have not. It can be a complex and debilitating emotion.
9/11 Attacks
The September 11th attacks were a series of terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of September 11, 2001.
World Trade Center
The World Trade Center was a complex of seven buildings in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The Twin Towers, the tallest buildings in the complex, were destroyed in the 9/11 attacks.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency that operates major transportation facilities in the New York metropolitan area, including airports, bridges, tunnels, and the World Trade Center.
Recovery
Recovery refers to the process of regaining health, strength, or function after an illness, injury, or traumatic event. It can involve physical, emotional, and mental healing.
Advocacy
Advocacy is the act of supporting or pleading for a cause or person. It can involve raising awareness, promoting change, or providing resources.
Q&A
What was Kayla Bergeron's experience like on the 68th floor of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks?
Kayla describes the initial impact, the confusion, and her efforts to establish communication. She recounts the harrowing evacuation, the building's twist, the burst pipes, and the moment she realized the gravity of the situation.
How did Kayla cope with the trauma of 9/11 and the subsequent events?
Kayla shares her struggles with PTSD and alcoholism, attributing them to the trauma of 9/11 and the subsequent events. She describes her journey through the Forsyth County Accountability Court, her diagnosis, and the path to recovery.
What are some of the challenges faced by survivors of traumatic events, particularly those who were not first responders?
Kayla highlights the often-overlooked struggles of survivors who were not directly involved in rescue efforts. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by these individuals, including PTSD, survivor's guilt, and the need for support.
How has Kayla's experience shaped her perspective on life and her desire to help others?
Kayla's journey has instilled in her a deep passion for helping others who are struggling with trauma, addiction, or mental health challenges. She actively mentors individuals in recovery and advocates for increased awareness and resources for those who have been forgotten.
What are some of the key takeaways from Kayla's story?
Kayla's story underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing trauma, the power of resilience and recovery, and the need for compassion and support for those who have been through difficult experiences. It also highlights the lasting impact of events like 9/11 and the importance of remembering and honoring those who were lost.
Show Notes
A Port Authority employee narrowly escapes from the 68th floor after a plane hits the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001, but the most devastating impact comes from the psychological wounds that haunt her life for decades after.
Today's episode featured Kayla Bergeron. In addition to serving as chief of public and government affairs for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Kayla has also served in senior roles for the New York State Housing Finance Agency and South Florida Water Management District, the lead agency restoring America's Everglades.
Kayla currently resides in Suwanne, Georgia and serves as Program Director, and as a Certified Peer Support Specialist -Addictive Disease (C.P.S.- A.D.), for The Connection Forsyth, a 501c3 non profit recovery community organization, based in Cumming, Georgia. Kayla works as a social media consultant for Special Equestrians of Georgia, in Milton, Georgia, also a 501c3 non profit, where she participates in equine-assisted therapy.
Kayla recently started a gofundme for Special Equestrians of Georgia, where she receives equine-assisted therapy for PTSD. Last year, Special Equestrians of Georgia (SEG), based in Milton, GA, had to close down its hippotherapy program due to COVID-19 and safety concerns. As a result, many of the horses had to be rehomed. Currently, SEG provides equine-assisted therapy for teens and adults with mental health challenges, including depression, PTSD, anxiety and trauma. With COVID-19 Delta variant hovering, Special Equestrians of Georgia may be forced to shut down its doors -- for good. It costs approximately $3,000 to fund the program, which includes feeding and special dietary needs, farrier, veterinarian, medicine and facility maintenance. Please help by donating to Special Equestrians of Georgia.
This episode is part of a special, four-part series called The Long Shadow. Twenty Years after the attacks of September 11th changed the world as we knew it, this month the This Is Actually Happening podcast dives deep into the stories of four survivors whose jobs brought them face to face with the unthinkable. For those called to manage an impossible tragedy up close, the events of September 11th represented a uniquely horrifying challenge. Among the harrowing details of that day, we explore the long shadows of trauma and resilience that continue to inform the looming uncertainties that remain with us today.
Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits
Social Media:
Instagram: @actuallyhappening
Twitter: @TIAHPodcast
Content/Trigger Warnings: violence, sexual assault, injury, terrorism, mention of suicide, alcoholism, addiction, mental illness explicit language
Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com
Website for Andrew Waits: www.andrdewwaits.com
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plus
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Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com
Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music and Sound Design by: Marcelino Villalpando
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
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Very powerful story. BTW, what was your with the sound effects? All the other episodes I listened to had no sound effects. 8t as distracting.