Seven years after the Manchester Arena bombing that claimed 22 lives, survivor Melvin Cravitz feels the world has moved on while his suffering continues. The 62-year-old American tourist, caught in the foyer when Salman Abedi detonated his device, has revealed his ongoing battle for recognition and compensation.
A Night That Changed Everything
What should have been a joyful evening at an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017 turned into a nightmare for Mr Cravitz. He was waiting in the City Room foyer to collect his partner's daughter when the explosion tore through the crowd.
'The noise was deafening, then came the screams,' he recalled. 'I saw things no person should ever witness.'
The Invisible Injuries
While Mr Cravitz escaped without physical scars, the psychological damage runs deep. He suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression that have fundamentally altered his life.
'People see me and think I'm fine because I don't have visible injuries,' he explained. 'But the mental scars are just as real, just as debilitating.'
The Compensation Battle
Mr Cravitz's fight for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has become another source of trauma. The complex process and repeated delays have left him feeling victimised all over again.
'The system feels designed to make you give up,' he said. 'Every form, every assessment, every delay takes you back to that night.'
Waiting for Answers
The ongoing public inquiry into the attack has provided some answers but little comfort. Mr Cravitz believes the focus remains too heavily on those who lost their lives, leaving survivors like himself feeling overlooked.
'We understand the families of those who died deserve attention, but survivors are suffering too,' he stated. 'Our lives were also destroyed that night.'
A Message to Other Survivors
Mr Cravitz hopes that by sharing his story, he can help other terror attack survivors feel less alone in their struggles.
'If you're reading this and going through similar things, know that your pain is valid,' he said. 'We deserve to be heard and supported too.'
