What happened on September 11 made me think about many things. Deep down in the dark recesses of our minds, we’ve always known that something like this could happen, but our denial allowed us to believe that our various law enforcement and security agencies could, and would, protect us. These agencies are probably not as well trained and certainly not as experienced as their counterparts are in Israel, yet terrorism in Israel is an almost daily occurrence. So, sooner or later, it had to happen here. After I got over the anger, the shock, the dismay, the sadness, and the realization that freedom as we know it is forever lost, I began to wonder if we, as individuals, are prepared for an emergency. 

Through the years I've read about snowstorms stranding people on roads and bridges for hours, if not days at a time. On September 11 there were many people who were unable to get home that night. If that were you, how prepared would you have been? Do you carry at least a day’s supply of your life saving medication? Do you have a couple of extra batteries so that you could continue to communicate? 

If the answer to these questions is no, I strongly suggest that everyone purchase some sort of pill container and that you carry it with you AT ALL TIMES. It should contain at least 2-3 days’ worth of medication and a couple of spare batteries. For those of you who take insulin, there is an insulin "pen" available that can deliver your prescribed dose whenever necessary and does not require refrigeration. Please speak to your physician (not me) about it.

Have you set up some kind of plan to be alerted in the event of an emergency? When you stay in a hotel room, if you are unable to hear the alarm without your hearing aids, do you always ask for the assistive devices kit with the visual alert? Do you use it? If you were sleeping, or in the bathroom, or you had not put your hearing aids in yet, and an alarm sounded to evacuate your room, would you know? One of my favorite hotels, the Marriott World Trade Center which was at the foot of the Twin Towers, does not exist anymore. I have stayed there countless times in the Liberty wing overlooking Lady Liberty. If I were there that morning would I have known to evacuate?

Disaster is not something that happens elsewhere. A few years ago a propane truck caught fire on the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway and houses for a mile around were evacuated. A couple of years before that a hurricane bore down on the south shore of Long Island and an evacuation was ordered. If you weren’t wearing your hearing aids when the emergency personnel gave the order or the fire horns alerted us, would you have known? Have you left information with your local police precinct and firehouse notifying them of your hearing loss and requesting that additional measures be taken to inform you? Have you asked a couple of your neighbors to notify you in the event of an emergency? Don't rely on just one, who might not be there. Do they have keys to access your house if you don't answer the door or phone?

Our bubble of security has broken. We must now think responsibly and act accordingly. Many times we’ve heard the words "you must advocate for yourself." This advice can be life saving. Heed it. 

My condolences to all who have lost friends and family in this global tragedy.