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Tough recovery for Chilean miners

February 13, 2011 4:48 PM

Four months after 33 Chilean miners were rescued from a half-mile underground, where they lived in daily fear of death for over two months, psychologists say all but one of them have experienced serious mental stress. Bob Simon reports.

Chilean Miners Rescued, But Were They Saved?
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by choirbabe March 7, 2011 12:21 AM EST
I purchased Jonathan Franklin's book "33 Men" last night (3/5/11). The book is a sobering account of what ACTUALLY went on down in the mine and on top with the rescuers. I was skeptical at first about reading the book, but let me tell you most of the parts in the book relating to the miners below ground have made me sad to the point of crying. What they endured for 17 days is unimaginable to the normal man. My heart still goes out to them, I am still praying for them every day and hoping that they can conquer their fears, anxieties. I hope they all remember that there was a 34th miner in the mine with them and he is still with them all the time. He wants you all to live not die. To God Be The Glory, Amen.
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by choirbabe February 21, 2011 1:11 PM EST
I have been struck by sadness at the plight of the Chilean Miners. I recently read an article on-line in which Jimmy Sanchez, one of the miners, made the remark that, and I quote, "there was a 34th man in the mine with us".

It reminds me of Daniel and the Lions Den, the three brothers in jail and being burned to death, they had a 4th man also; and, Paul in jail for so many years writing to the faithful. He also had a 2nd man in prison with him.

TO THE MINERS: Do you believe that there was a 34th man in that mine with you? If he was there and got you out of that horrible ordeal, don't you think that he will be with you now? Do Not give up. Fight for what you want, get the medical coverage that you need. Ask for help from people outside of Chile if you have to. Contact Luis Palau if you have to. He will help you. People all over the world are still praying for you. Don't give up. Victor Zamora, don't contemplate death, contemplate life!! To Alex Vega: don't close yourself off by a wall around your house. It's like putting yourself back in the mine and I know you don't want that. You said you don't like small spaces - well the wall will give you a small space - trust in God and he'll help you. To the rest of the miners: The 34th man is still with you and he will see you through this ordeal that is still very prominent in your lives. For the ones that accepted Christ while in the mine, Satan does not want you to be above ground. He feels that he has not finished the fight with Christ down below and wants your souls back....don't let him win....fight and believe that Christ will protect you and your families always.

To God Be the Glory!! Amen.
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by Imissmikewallace February 14, 2011 1:25 PM EST
You painted a dark picture of President Pinera by omitting the fact that he was present during the entire rescue operation. He was there at the top of the rescue hole and personally greeted hugged and shook hands with every miner as they exited the mine. He even stayed until the 6 rescuers submerged. That was more that 24 hours on his feet, in the northern desert. Try getting Obama to do something like that! Even that Bolivian President was only there for a short while. Missing the moment when the one Bolivian came up.
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by Imissmikewallace February 14, 2011 1:22 PM EST
You painted a dark picture of President Pinera by omitting the fact that he was present during the entire rescue operation. He was there at the top of the rescue hole and personally greeted hugged and shook hands with every miner as they exited the mine. He even stayed until the 6 rescuers submerged. That was more that 24 hours on his feet, in the northern desert. Try getting Obama to do something like that! Even that Bolivian President was only there for a short while. Missing the moment when the one Bolivian came up.
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by margamargui February 14, 2011 12:57 PM EST
Thanks 60 Minutes for reminding us that the ordeal and help needed by the Miners should not be over!!!. They are still suffering, their families too, we can not forget and abandon them now!. I am sure the Miners did not call the Press to cover their ordeal, they wish this never happen, they wish they could have their old lives back, without the nightmares and the constant fear. Also, I am sure, they want to work to provide for their families, is not easy to just erase what happened, and start a new job. Getting back to their old ones, is nonsense.
Let's be respectful of their feelings, we should be finding ways to help them!
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by margamargui February 14, 2011 12:54 PM EST
Thanks 60 Minutes for reminding us that the ordeal and help needed by the Miners should not be over!!!. They are still suffering, their families too, we can not forget and abandon them now!. I am sure the Miners did not call the Press to cover their ordeal, they wish this never happen, they wish they could have their old lives back, without the nightmares and the constant fear. Also, I am sure, they want to work to provide for their families, is not easy to just erase what happened, and start a new job. Getting back to their old ones, is nonsense.
Let's be respectful of their feelings, we should be finding ways to help them!
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by choirbabe February 14, 2011 4:05 AM EST
I agree that there have been other "mine" incidents but they did not last as long as the Chilean Mine accident did. 70 days in hell is a long time. I'm going to say it again, only by the Grace of God go I. It can happen to anyone, and for bcjacobsen I hope it never happens to you. Unless you are a miner you wouldn't have the fogiest idea of what it would be like to be buried alive 2,300 feet into the ground. So unless that has happened to you I suggest you cool it.

I feel for Victor Zamora and Alex Vega. Neither had worked at the mind that long and I understand that there is no sleep, nightmares, and fear of small places. It's called PTSD and it can take a long time to get it under control. I'm sure all the miners have it including Mario Sepulveda.

I hope that President Pinera will give the miners the medical and psychologial help that they need and that the 19 will get their disability pay back. The mine had a sloppy safety record, but because they needed to take care of their families they went to work in a mine that was not safe.

To the Miners: God was with you in that mine from the very beginning and he is not going to abandon you now in your time of need. Stay the course, do the best you can and he will reward you. God Bless you all, and Happy Valentines Day to each of you and your families whether you celebrate an American holiday or not. It's the holiday in America for LOVE and each and every one of you have God's love to see you through.
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by map4mommy February 13, 2011 10:58 PM EST
La historia de los mineros captivo mi atencion desde un principio. Su rescate fue acto de humildad que nunca en la actualidad habia captivado tanto fervor mundialmente. Ellos merecen todo el apoyo de la gente que observo este acto de rescato para compartirlo con el mundo entero. Este hecho fue un hecho de historia el rescate en su punto y los que observamos. Con la misma passion que observamos su rescate tambien no debemos de olvidarlos y ayudarlos. Espero y 60 minutos compense por la entrevista para beneficio de los mineros.
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by bcjacobsen February 13, 2011 10:49 PM EST
The Chilean Miners story is pathetic! How long are these guys going to "dine out" on their celebrity?
Its not as though they are the only miners in history to ever be trapped by a cave-in or explosion. They didn't go through the hell of war. Nor were they held captive against their will and tortured daily, as have been many former POWs, for instance.
Their "trauma" is BS!
Boo Hoo!! GET OVER IT!! Move on!
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by perfectionseeker February 13, 2011 10:37 PM EST
What can be done to have all 33 Chilean Miners have the professional help they need, and the total support they need, to return to healthy, peaceful, and meaningful lives?
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