This past fall marked the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. However, even now, 20 years later, first responders and those who lived near Ground Zero have vivid memories of that day brought on by their compromised health and trauma.
Healing the Heroes of 9-11: The Way Forward is a film by director/producer Michael Gier. The film centers five first responders as they address their experiences at Ground Zero in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2001.
Throughout the film, first responders tell their stories and discuss what they experienced 20 years ago on the ground. Often, their memories and recollections of September 11 are different and more traumatic than the memories of those who saw what was happening in the news or on television. The trauma and devastation of that day has stuck with many of the first responders and caused long-lasting post-traumatic stress. After talking about their memories and experiences with 9-11, the first responders were put through a treatment called Trauma Resiliency Protocol (TR-P).
The TR-P program was started by 22Zero, a nonprofit founded by retired Army veteran Dan Jarvis. Jarvis had spoken to Gier about alternative treatments that had changed his life so that he no longer experienced suicidal ideations. With 22Zero, Jarvis’ mission is to go out and help heal those who are experiencing posttraumatic stress so that they can live happier, healthier lives.
Eventually, 22Zero aims to train departments and encourage treatment like TR-P so that when departments and individuals experience trauma, they already have a community and process in place. So far, they have helped thousands of people all over the country with TR-P, and the release of Healing the Heroes of 9-11 has made them visible to thousands more.
This program is not just available to veterans but to police departments, fire departments and even prison guards. TR-P works by accessing the subconscious part of the brain where trauma, anger and triggers are stored so that participants can get back to “normal baseline emotions.” Using TR-P, the triggers are neurologically disconnected from emotion, and participants learn to build the resiliency skills they need to recover from trauma. In an hour or so, the brain is trained to separate emotion from the traumatic event without the participant having to relive the trauma.
“What we wanted to do was show that if 9-11 first responders can be healed from post-traumatic stress, then we’re proving that anyone can be healed from post-traumatic stress so that we can help all first responders and military in the country that are battling PTSD,” director/producer Michael Gier said.
After undergoing the TR-P process, the first responders were interviewed again to see if they had experienced any changes. For all five first responders featured in the film, TR-P made a tremendous impact on their lives. Not only that, but across the country, people who have worked through TR-P have expressed the way that this process has changed their life for the better and made it easier for them to live their lives to the fullest.
For Gier, the process of making Healing the Heroes of 9-11 was extremely impactful. Hearing the first responders initially talk about their trauma, suicidal thoughts and feelings of hopelessness broke his heart. However, after TR-P, all of that changed. Gier was moved seeing how happy they were after TR-P. He received comments from individuals who, following the TR-P treatment, felt like life was worth living again, felt like soldiers again, and regained their strength.
Healing the Heroes of 9-11: The Way Forward is available to watch for free on 22Zero.org as well as on YouTube. After viewing, anyone who is interested in trying TR-P can get in contact with 22Zero right from the website. TR-P is free for anybody who puts on a uniform, such as first responders and the military as well as their families.
The 9-11 first responders are an example of what TR-P can do for anyone battling post-traumatic stress. Having options with which to heal post-traumatic stress ensures that people get their lives back and regain hope.
