FealGood Foundation

I was honored to speak with you on the phone. I know you wanted to know a little something about my history and condition, so here it is.
On September 11th 2001, I was assigned to the NYPD Emergency Service Unit Squad #2 in Harlem, N.Y. I was scheduled to do a 1515x2350 (4x12) tour of duty when I saw the news flash of the WTC incident. I thought like everyone else that it was a small plane accident, so I called in to see if I could assist. I was told to report immediately and drove in with a co-worker. On our way in, we learned that this was an act of terrorism and prepared ourselves for the worst. After gathering the necessary men and equipment, we headed downtown. We arrived just after the second tower fell and immediately started assisting fellow ESU members as well as others whom were injured. We also began a search for missing members. I'll never forget the sounds of the fireman's ScottPack signal indicating that the wearer was not moving. I've never heard so many beeping in my career and hope to never hear one again. We literally had to run off the mass of debris on numerous occasions do to a collapse (such as building #7) or threat of. It was the one time in my career I could recall being truly scared. After driving numerous autos (some still on fire), and collecting men and equipment, we started our search and rescue efforts. This continued for 12-14 hours a day for several weeks. After that, we realized that we were not going to recover any survivors and prepared ourselves for the daunting task of recovering our friends and anyone else we could. As you know, sometimes we found bodies or parts and sometimes we did not. Although I would do it again, It was the worst assignment of my life. I am however proud of the fact that we were able to recover the remains of our three members so that their families could at least have closure. It was an honor for me for they are the true heros. I think of them everyday and miss them dearly. As the months went on, we continued the search for remains until the job ended in June of 2002. My one regret is that we did not find all of our friends. It haunts me to this day.
In February of 2002, I was taking a five year medical for the Naval Reserve when I was informed by a corpsman that I had an unusually high level of protein in my urine. I was referred to a nephrologist who after taking a kidney biopsy and performing numerous function tests confirmed that I had Kidney disease and it would get progressively worse. The news was crushing. I held out hope but on May 26th 2005, I was forced to go on Hemodialysis for three and a half hours a day, three days a week. I also signed on for an organ transplant and I'm currently listed at Mt. Sinai University Hospital in N.Y. It currently takes approximately seven years to receive a kidney in N.Y. so I have a while to go. While I was on dialysis, I never informed the NYPD medical section of my condition for fear I would be placed on restricted duty. I loved my work and it kept me positive. I thought that was the worst it could get until December 26th, 2005 when I started coughing up quite a bit of blood. Then in January of 2006 I had to be hospitalized for the cough. I spent a week being treated and was released. I would wind up back in the hospital a total of three more times in February, March and April where I had two open lung surgeries. I was finally diagnosed with a lung condition known as B.O.O.P. which my doctors attributed most likely to the WTC. All this time, I was repeatedly denied a Line of Duty Designation by the NYPD medical section. The fight for my rights as a victim of the WTC incident was harder than my health battle and had huge affects at home. Finally, in early 2007, I was interviewed and examined by 3 doctors representing the city who agreed that the evidence and medical records were overwhelming enough to grant me a retirement based on my disability caused by the WTC.
I could be bitter and angry for what I've been through but it would run counter to who I am. I have to be strong for my family. I feel I am more fortunate than other first responders who suffer from conditions I consider worse than mine. Still, I would not wish any of this on my worst enemy. I have the support of an amazing wife and two children who give me every reason to live. Any man would be extremely lucky and fortunate to have the wife I've been blessed with. She's never wavered or faltered and her bravery is unmatched. She is truly a once in a lifetime women. I thank you for your help and what you've done to bring awareness and aid to WTC First Responders. If I can be of assistance, please let me know. God bless you and your staff.

Sincerely

Joseph Wittleder(NYPD/Ret.)

John Feal of Nesconset, New York, was selected to represent New York for going above and beyond as an advocate for 9/11 survivors. Feal worked as a demolition supervisor during the recovery operation at the World Trade Center site immediately following the 9/11 attacks and escaped near death when an 8-ton steel beam crushed his foot. Feal survived only to be demoralized by what he saw—a community of 9/11 survivors who were suffering from numerous physical and mental ailments and not receiving help. Through his “Feal Good Foundation,” he has acted as a leading advocate for 9/11 heroes, helping first responders with health expenses, benefits, and legal advice. Feal is so dedicated to the cause that he donated one of his own kidneys to a stranger, in order to raise awareness for organ donations for 9/11 victims and for the community at large.

Our first responders need our support especially when they are hurt in the line of duty. To help our first responders you might want to look into the FealGood Foundation.