A childhood in 9/11's shadow: Did the debris cloud poison me?

My latest piece in the Washington Post

Hello to all of my wonderful Substack subscribers,

What a summer it has been.

I would be remiss not to start with a thank you - the community that has grown from this Substack has been immensely supportive to me through the hardest summer of my life. Each of you who has read, commented, and reached out to me about my writing, my mama, and the universal experience that is grief have touched me more than I can say. You’ve made an impossible summer possible.

Writing has consistently proven to be a tool for connection for me. It makes me feel less lonely, less isolated in my experiences, and touched by the shared nature of what so many of us go through. It has also proven to be a powerful tool for advocacy.

On June 21st, the very first day of this impossible summer, I testified before the World Trade Center Health Fund's Scientific / Technical Advisory Committee in support of the creation of a Youth Research Cohort for 9/11 survivors.

The World Trade Center Health Fund provides care and coverage to those with 9/11 related health conditions, including both of my moms. I grew up in the 9/11 disaster zone and both of my moms have since been diagnosed with 9/11 related cancers.

My mama had been closely involved with advocating for further research and coverage for those impacted by the environmental toxins left in the wake of the Twin Towers collapse. It was my mama who was asked to testify to the need for a youth cohort and in true Julie fashion she genuinely considered it (despite the hearing being held just 9 days before she would die).

Ultimately, however, she asked me to testify in her place. In my testimony, I spoke of my own experience with 9/11, detailed the ways in which 9/11 toxins have impacted my family and spoke to the need for additional research to support diseases that disproportionately impact women and children. My full testimony is available on the CDC site here.

On Tuesday, I published a story in The Washington Post on this same topic. The response since then has been remarkable. I have been connected to other 9/11 survivors, others who have lost loved ones due to 9/11 related illnesses, and felt the sheer power that writing has to advocate for necessary change. My story, “A childhood in 9/11's shadow: Did the debris cloud poison me?” can be read here.

Thank you all for helping to empower my voice. You keep me writing and keep me believing in the power that writing has in this world. For that, I am so grateful.

With all of my love and gratitude,

Jessie