Like the rest of the world, I am so relieved and so happy (and still riveted by the story) that the thirty-three Chilean Miners have been rescued and are back, above the earth’s surface, safe and sound. That is, at least, physically.
I can not, myself, imagine being stuck 2300 feet underground for even an hour, so it is truly amazing to most of us how these men survived. Were they all brave? Weren’t some of them scared? Did any of them think they were going to die? Who was claustrophobic? Who freaked out first? Who never complained? It’s probably a given, that if you are a miner, you are probably not uncomfortable in small spaces, however, 70 days of a small space with thirty-two other trapped men is probably not ideal.
By now everyone knows the story. On August 5th, 2010, thirty-three Chilean miners were trapped in a gold and copper mine near Copiapo, Chile when a main tunnel to the mine collapsed. Luckily, the guys were all together having lunch at the time of the collapse. The shelter they were in was 2300 feet below the earth’s surface, about a half a mile. For the first 17 days, the miners had no idea if anyone knew they were alive, and rescuers, family members and friends did not know if the miners were alive. A drill bit that poked its way into the shelter where they were saved their lives. They attached a note to it saying that all thirty-three miners were alive and well. At almost day 70, after drilling and testing equipment, the miners were finally brought to safety. A truly inspiring story.
But now what happens to these guys after they were rescued? They are being offered all kinds of book deals, movie deals,endorsements and so on. And yes, they deserve it. AsJohn Stewart of The Daily show said, the miners were “Hell adjacent” for almost 70 days. They deserve some perks. These are some of the bravest men ever known.
Times had to be tough down there. It could not have all been happy and hopeful. Do they have nightmares that they are still stuck? Will they be afraid of confined spaces? Will their fame go to their heads or become a big let down? There is so much psychologically going on for these men, I just hope they can get through it. As if being stuck in that small space for 70 days wasn’t enough, how about the psychological damages it may have caused that could last for years?
I was so touched by this story. I kept writing updates because I was so concerned for these men and their families. But that does not stop now that they are rescued. (Unfortunately, that’s what happens. The hoopla is done, and they will be forgotten.) I, personally, will never forget. I will always think about them. I will always wonder. I will always care.
I hope their decisions are wise. I hope they resume normal lives. I hope they are compensated adequately for their tragedy. And I hope they stay human.
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To read, from the beginning, the story of the miners while trapped, please click onto my web page and where it says to search my content, type in MINERS to see all articles written.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/763958/juliew.html
