World Trade Center First Responder Needs Help

On 9/11/2001, when terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center, I knew that our help would be needed. I did not hesitate for even a moment when I was asked to go to Ground Zero. Three of us from our local Volunteer Ambulance Service got into an ambulance and we responded to Ground Zero.

For the next 48 hours, we treated fellow First Responders who were coming off of "The Pile". The air was thick with smoke, dust and ash. The acrid smell in the air, was something that I will never forget. Everything else that I saw and heard is way beyond human comprehension. I never thought what I witnessed, would catch up to many years down the road. 

For the past 25+ years, I have been working as a 911 Emergency Dispatcher, which is a stressful job in itself. Back in August of 2023, I was diagnosed with 9/11 related Complex PTSD, Severe Depression and Anxiety Disorder and I began getting treated by the World Trade Center Health Program. After several sessions with my care team and some very long discussions, they strongly recommend that I stop working as a 911 Emergency Dispatcher, as it will be detrimental to my mental and physical health. I took their advice and I stopped working shortly thereafter. 

I have a team of lawyers and social workers that are helping me with Worker's Compensation, Disability Pension and SSDI. With that being said, I was told that it can take a while before I will see any money at all. 

The lack of my paycheck is causing serious financial issues for my wife and I. We are three months behind on our rent, in addition to our utilities, car insurance and car payment. We cannot pay all of our bills with just my wife's paycheck. We are on the verge of having an eviction filed by our landlord and having our utilities turned off. 

We are in a very bad financial situation and we need some financial help as soon as possible. Please donate if you can. Thank you in advance!!!!