Powered by Blogger.

We Interrupt This Blog for a Public Service Announcement


Every few months I get an email or letter from my friends at the World Trade Center Health Registry. The last email came just a few days ago and the topic is "WTC HR Survey Reminder." As some of you know I am officially a World Trade Center survivor. I'm not a first responder, but I am one of the tens of thousands who worked or lived in Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001 and spent time there in the months that followed. Each year I fill out a survey form discussing my health and from time to time have gone to the WTC Environmental Health Center at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for treatment. I have been treated with consideration and professionalism and am very appreciative for the care that I have received.

I remember exactly where I was on September 11, 2001. I can remember each moment as clearly as if it all took place last week. It is almost as though the memories have become part of my DNA and are present in each cell of my body.

As you know this is not a political blog and I have no intention of discussing politics often, if again this year.   However, in the shadow of all of the memories is the certitude that first responders deserve medical coverage for cancer. The petition is bipartisan, sponsored by both Democrats and Republicans. Congress Member Carolyn Maloney originally sponsored the Zagroda Act and represents part of Upper Manhattan.

 As always, I thank everyone who remembered those of us in New York, at the Pentagon and those on flights 93 and 77. I was moved by the outpouring of caring and concern and strengthened by the sight of the National Guard members who arrived in the earliest days after September 11. Thank you all for continuing to care and remember. On this weekend of remembering let us remember and honor some of the bravest people anywhere, the first responders of September 11. G'd bless them and keep them well.

19 comments

Melissa said...

God bless you and all the others who were so directly impacted by that day.

Sue @ Not the Good Scissors! said...

I live on the opposite side of you here in California and to this day I still cannot comprehend what happened. It is still surrealistic and sometimes I think I am just dreaming it. This is how it affected someone 3000 miles away. I could never for a split second begin to imagine what it must have been like to be in the middle of it. I can barely even watch pictures of it and if I do it is only for a moment.
God bless you and everyone else who were there. My heart still aches to this day.
Hugs, Sue

Chatty Crone said...

LET US NEVER FORGET - SANDIE

West Side of Straight said...

Even tho I'm many miles from you, and all that were directly involved, I too remember exactly what I was doing when I first heard the commotion on the radio of what was happening there with you and so many others. I was at work, and didn't usually have my radio at my desk on, but I did that day, and then took a tv off the sale floor to the meeting room where we were getting ready for a safety meeting. Needless to say, the meeting never happened. We were all glued to the tv and radio the rest of the day; wishing we could have been closer to help.
I seems unreal that 10 years have passed.

Kathleen said...

I so agree, they deserve to be covered.
A young cousin of mine who is a cop worked there for months. I pray he does not get sick.
I don't think anyone who lives in this area could ever forget. So many services to attend, the train station parking lots filled with cars of people who never returned from work.
Thank God you weren't in the building.
My son was flying out of Logan airport that day. We didn't know for hours if he was alive. I will never forget the feeling. And those who lost loved ones, never will either.
May they rest in peace.

peggy said...

Thank you for sharing this with us. I'm just getting to know you and I pray for all. Those who were there, especially first responders, should have anything they need to heal. You are in my thoughts.

Mimi said...

GOD BLESS YOU BUTTERCUP!!!
I agree with you 100%, all and I mean ALL affected by this tragedy deserve all the HELP they need. They should be given top priority when it comes to their healthcare. SO glad you get checked.....by the way...where were you on 9/11???
Just curious if you want to talk about it.
hugs,
jamie

TARYTERRE said...

I did not know your history. Bless you and all the other survivors for your courage in the face of such horror. I am glad to know that peoples health concerns are being addressed about this. Thank you for sharing this information. You will not be forgotten. Take care.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I've seen so many posts in tribute of those that lost their lives on that terrible 9/11 day but you are the only one I know that survived that terrible tragedy. Thank you for reminding us about those wonderful people that took great risks themselves to help others. Bless you and all those that suffered such great loss through those terrible days.

Simply Debbie said...

All I can even compare it to when trying to understand it, is OKC FEDERAL MURRAH BUILDING AND there were LOVING NEW YORKERS there to help us and we were proud to be able to help New Yorkers. I remember where I was and the tears and prayers I offered up.
Some days it still seems unimaginable that such horrific terrorism was able to succeed in this country.
I BELIEVE EVERYONE THAT WAS IN ANY WAY A PART OF 911 RECEIVE FREE CANCER CARE IF THEY ever should NEED IT whether a rescue worker, survivor, or someone living close.......
cancer is a terrorist and it robs you of everything and the cost is hi-way robbery. May no rescue worker, survivor, be terrorized by cancer after making it through such hell on earth.
hugs and prayers
Simply Debbie

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

My prayers are with you. God Bless.

Theresa said...

God bless! HUGS AND PRAYERS!

Teacherfish said...

I saw the lights from the WTC site last night, from the about the same distance I watched the smoke ten years ago. Hard to believe any American would be denied cancer care because of their inability to pay. Thanks for keeping the real needs in our vision.

Flavia Galasso said...

I love your Country...I will never forget that day, those people, who died and who survived and I can't forget that that day a lot of parents, brothers, sisters, sons lost their world, from Italy a strong strong hug to you and to all those peolpe.....ciao Flavia

Mevely317 said...

I TOTALLY agree with this petition!
A friend to our workplace(Ret. FDNY Fire Marshall Mosiello) recently passed from esophageal cancer, believed to have been caused by the time he spent at the WTC.

Thinking of you today ...

Grammy Staffy said...

As I have been watching all of the TV coverage of 9/11 this weekend, I have been thinking of you. Even after talking with you in person about it, it is hard to comprehend how terrible it was for all of you that day. However,in the days that followed I think the whole country was awed by the acts of courage shown by so many. I have faith in humanity. I believe that good does triumph over evil. God bless you and all those who were so closely involved. Hugs, Lura

Anonymous said...

Amen and Amen. May the Lord watch over each and every one of you who are survivors. I pray for your health and am grateful for those who step forward to renew the spirit of hope for those in need, for those who pray, for those who are on the sidelines yet care.
Thank you for sharing this as I had no idea.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda

Lynda said...

We had an awesome worship service this morning remembering 10 years ago and that in all of it, God never lets go of us! I, too, agree with the others - - I cannot imagine living there when it happened as it was so vivid and frightening to us just watching it on TV.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Brava, Buttercup!

My husband worked in WTC building 7 --the last one to fall down that day. Although everyone in that building escaped without harm health issues are worrisome since so many inhaled the toxix dust as the towers fell. My nephew was on the ground zero pile for many weeks as a police officer and we also worry about his future health.

9-11 tragedy occurred in NYC, VA (the Pentagon) and Shanksville,PA, but it effected the entire USA! What happened here can happen anywhere and it is a cause that should be taken up by the whole country.