9/11 Interview ~ Royal Dutch Guide Dog Foundation Jubilee

MM: Michael, I know you are always in high demand for speaking engagements on September 11.  How and where did you spend September 11, 2010?

MH: I was the key-note speaker for an event held by the Royal Dutch Guide Dog Foundation, (KNGF), in the Netherlands to celebrate their 75th year! The KNGF jubilee event took place on September 11. As a former National Spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a Guide Dog user and a 9/11 WTC Survivor, I was a natural pick for this historic event.

Recounting the story of how my Guide Dog Roselle helped lead me and others down from the 78th floor of the World Trade Center moments before the building collapsed was particularly poignant for the KNGF audience.  They understand first-hand that Guide Dogs are “every day heroes” for thousands of blind people throughout the world. 

MM: Having been the National Spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind, it must have been exciting for you to experience the global impact that Guide Dogs have had through the years. 

MH: Yes, the Royal Dutch Guide-Dog School is the oldest of its kind in the Netherlands, with many innovative programs to integrate the general public, to become more involved in supporting their mission. Their “adopt-a-puppy” campaign is irresistible.

MM: As an American, what differences did you discern seeing the event from a European perspective?

MH: Actually the Dutch reaction to 9-11 is fairly similar to ours.  People were supportive and genuinely interested to learn what happened that day.  They wanted to know how my colleagues and others faired.  The questions were very similar to those asked by audiences here whenever I talk about our escape.

MM:Thank you for sharing.  Next year will be the 10th Anniversary of this life-changing event.  I imagine that organizations are making plans now for next year as an important milestone.

MH: Yes they are.  It should be a high-impact opportunity.  I have begun receiving inquiries for events around the 9-11, 2011 timeframe and have tentative speaking commitments for dates surrounding it, but have yet to finalize a speaking engagement on 9-11 itself.  Interested organizations are welcome to contact me.

As I have said to countless audiences if my telling Roselle’s and my story will help one person move on from that day, or if it helps people better understand the value of Trust and Teamwork in our lives, then my work has value to me. 

MM: Ending on a lighter note, when I go online, I find you are everywhere in Dutch, on You Tube and even on Twitter! You’re like an International Rock Star!

MH: Well not exactly, but I am grateful to be part of a global community, now with new Dutch friends! 

MM is Malia McKinney, Michael’s online publicist, friend and fan.

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