World Trade Center Burn Victim Released

(CBS)  It has been 3 weeks since the attacks and many families are still mourning lost loved ones. But for one survivor, this time is all about recovery, as CBS 2 reporter Paul Moniz reports.

Manu Dhingra was led to safety by co-workers after he suffered severe burns during the World Trade Center attack on September 11. Today, he has conflicting emotions as he faces a new life, and difficult challenges.

A roomful of media greeted Manu Dhingra as he prepared to leave the Weill Cornell Burn Center after a tragic and life-changing turn. At 27, this Indian-born securities trader will have to endure the lifelong effects of severe burns covering 35% of his body. Yet he felt great relief at the prospect of returning home.

"I still have a lot of pain," he said. But "I'm feeling great. I'm feeling excellent. These people are really great."

One week after the attack CBS-2 visited Manu's bedside as he described the horror of becoming a human fireball following an explosion on the 83rd floor of 1 World Trade Center which engulfed him, inflicting second- and third-degree burns on his arms, back, ankles, face, and chest.

"I'm just thinking in my head--please make this quick. If I'm going to die, I just want to this be quick and not painful," he remembers.

Miraculously, Manu managed to make it down 83 flights of stairs.

"I'm like shouting 'Water! I'm so dehydrated.' Just sweating and burning," he recalls.

Today Manu thanked his co-workers at Andover Brokerage for both leading the way out of burning tower 1 and for intentionally misleading him about the challenge ahead so he'd have enough strength to escape.

"They lied to me a couple of times when I wanted to sit down and rest. They said, 'No, there's only ten floors left, when in fact there were 60 more. So I owe a lot for their lying--just want to say thank-you."

Doctors say Manu, like at least 14 other burn patients, faces a long road to recovery, including months if not years of physical therapy.

Severe burns not only affect the skin but also compromise underlying tissues and joints.

"I had skin grafts on the skin that stiffen every day. Every day is a new challenge to basically extend your fingers and stretch them out again," he said.

There's also the emotional toll. Not only will Manu be disfigured by his burns, but he has very real fears of another attack.

"I had the chance to listen to things on the news about biological weapons, radioactive bombs. It's a scary world, not safe. I don't think it's me. A lot of people feel this way.

Still, Manu says he is grateful to be alive, though he admits he has mixed emotions about being spared.

"I feel lucky but it's saddening. I feel guilty also because I'm getting out and there are a lot of families who won't get this opportunity."

We've heard that same type of survivor guilt from so many who escaped.

Manu says he does not plan on returning to work anytime soon. He wants to focus on healing. But h says he definitely wants to give something back, perhaps by volunteering as some sort of counselor for the victims' families. Given what he's been through, he has an amazing attitude and we wish him the best.

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