Home Village Beacon Record

D. None of the Above: The moment I realized I had to bathe my stinky dog

by Daniel Dunaief - September 11, 2024

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By Daniel Dunaief

This is not so much a shaggy dog story, as a smelly dog story.

I recently brought my dog to a boarding facility for a long weekend. I feel less dog owner guilt that comes from taking him away from home, the cats he barely tolerates, the squirrels he chases, and the bed that serves as a place to sleep, a chew toy and more, because he seems so happy to race through the door to visit with his friends at the facility.

I suspect he’s much more excited to see the people who work there than the other dogs, although he gets along with every dog except the one on the block who attacked him in our driveway when he got away from his owner a few years ago.

Our dog was fine, thanks, but my wife and I try to avoid that aggressive dog whenever we walk our powder puff up and down the block. Sure, our dog now barks angrily when he sees that other dog and even seems to have convinced our neighbor’s dog to snarl and bark in sympathy.

Anyway, I left our dog for the weekend knowing he was in good hands.

When I returned from our trip, I reflexively opened the door to our house slowly, knowing that he often naps against the door. When the door didn’t present any resistance, I also looked down and listened for the tap, tap, tap of his nails across the wood floor.

I knew, of course, that I hadn’t picked him up and that no such tail wagging greeting was coming my way.

At the boarding house, I exchanged banter with the friendly tattooed young man who is a boarding house fixture. I tried to suppress a smile as I waited expectantly for my furry friend.

When he came through the door, he was as happy to go home as he was to visit. He threw his butt and tail into my knees and looked back at me as I pet him.

Mud and moisture in and of themselves don’t necessarily have a foul odor. And yet, somehow, stuck to a furry, matted dog, the scent was overwhelming.

“Hi, puppy!” I shouted repeatedly as I breathed out of my mouth.

When I got him in the car, the stench was so overwhelming that I had to open the windows.

I had far too much work to do to bathe him immediately and was glad my wife wasn’t home to endure the stench. The dog wandered in and out of my home office several times, which made it hard to finish sentences, much less to breathe.

I considered locking him out of the room, but that seemed unfair, especially after we’d been apart for a few days.

Finally, after I finished my work around 9:30 p.m., I climbed into bed, ready to relax and prepare for sleep. Happy to be home, the dog was sleeping on the floor at the foot of the bed.

I couldn’t possibly sleep with a foul odor that seemed to get stronger by the second. The scent was so powerful that someone might one day want to consider using it as a smelling salt.

Like “Harry the Dirty Dog” and many others, our dog hates to bathe. And yet, he seemed perfectly happy to head into the bathroom and even to get into the shower. He has, however, figured out how to push open the shower door, which means that he gets covered in water and shampoo and then wanders into the bathroom, shaking sudsy water all over the floor, wall and counter top.

I gave him such a thorough cleaning that he shined in the bathroom light. During the vigorous rub down drying, he moaned.

After his bath, he raced across the house and into the corner where he gets his post bath treat.

Once I settled into bed, I looked for my now sweet-smelling puppy. He and his shiny coat were, of course, in the next room because, after all, what’s the fun of sleeping near me when he smells like flowers and not smelly dog?

Between You and Me: Don’t be timid about eating in a restaurant alone

by Leah Dunaief - September 11, 2024

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By Leah S. Dunaief

The first time I ate in a restaurant alone, I was propositioned. It happened like this. I was attending the New York Press Association Convention in the Albany area in 1978. We had only recently started the first newspaper, and I was eager to learn as much as possible about my industry.

I checked into the hotel ahead of my staff the night before the workshops were to begin, dropped my bag in my room, then went to the dining room for some supper.

“One, please,” I said to the maître d’ and was shown to a table for two along the wall. Feeling adventurous, I looked around the room, noticed that there were mostly men quietly eating together, then studied the menu and ordered my meal. It was a new experience for me, and I was enjoying my entrepreneurial role, stepping out in the business world. As I began to eat, a man in a suit approached.

“Hello,” he said with a grin. “How are you doing”?

I looked up, trying to recognize him. I had already met some of the other publishers but he was not one of them.

He threw down his room key at the edge of the table. “Come up in about an hour,” he instructed with a wink, his grin widening.

“Do I know you?” I asked.

“Oh, I’m the owner of the automobile dealership across the street,” he appeared to be boasting.

There was a long pause as we stared at each other some seconds. Then he mumbled something, the grin disappearing, picked up his key, turned and left the dining room. At that point, it dawned on me what he was saying. I suddenly felt alone.

Fast forward to today. The CNN headline reads, “More people than ever are eating alone at restaurants.” It’s almost half a century later, women are totally commonplace in business and eateries are welcoming solo customers.

In fact, OpenTable was quoted as saying that reservations for parties of one at sit-down restaurants had increased 8 percent in the last year, and that among 2000 of their patrons whom they surveyed in June, 60 percent had dined alone in the past year, including 68 percent of Gen Z and Millennials. Long gone were the days when single diners had to be accompanied by a book, pretend to be a restaurant critic with a pad and pencil beside the plate, or sit at a bar. Eateries are taking their cue and making pleasant and even social seating for solos.

So why this 180 degree change? It reflects societal change.

One explanation offered by CNN is that it’s convenient, with no cooking or cleaning up to do at home. Some are just trying out new restaurants. “Social media has made it easier for people to find restaurants well-suited for a meal alone.” Most telling is that some 30 percent of Americans live alone. People are marrying later and only 37 percent ages 25-39 are married with children. That compared to 67 percent in 1970. This last group is made up of those most likely to be eating meals at home and those missing from this last group are swelling the ranks of the solo diners.

In a recent survey of 1200 consumers, 60 percent felt comfortable eating alone at a casual dining restaurant.

CNN further suggested that some solo diners saw eating alone as ‘me time,’ a way of unplugging and treating themselves in an otherwise busy schedule. It’s also a way to make connections, if one wishes, chatting with bartenders, waiters, and other guests without any social pressure.

You might think that restaurateurs would not like a solo diner instead of a couple, but remember, restaurants sell seats, not tables, and they are finding ways to accommodate this new trend.

So if you feel shy about going to eat alone, just go to the restaurant of your choosing, and you will find you will be welcomed without anyone caring.

Editorial: ‘I believe the children are our future …’ – Whitney Houston

by TBR Staff - September 8, 2024

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Since schools reopened following the pandemic, more than a quarter of students missed at least 10% of the 2021-22 school year, making them chronically absent. That is an estimated 6.5 million more students than before the pandemic, according to a Stanford University study, conducted in partnership with The Associated Press.

But, that is not the only price our students have paid, as a result of the pandemic. The time away created massive academic setbacks, and transformed our classrooms from that of pen and paper to computerized, at-home assignments — to this day. Our children no longer can enjoy the pleasures of a snow day, because their work can be accessed from bed.

Our children no longer can enjoy the pleasures of a snow day, because their work can be accessed from bed.

And, to boot, a mere 13% of K-12 students give their school an A on making them excited about learning, according to a recent Gallup and Walton Family Foundation-State of American Youth survey.

So, with the U.S. ranked only 38th in math scores and 24th in science, according to a 2015 study, what can we do to keep our children engaged, and focused on their school work?

TBR News Media offers a these suggestions, from our online research:

1. Maintain open communication with your child’s teachers and school administration. Your continued positive involvement shows your child that you value their education.

2. Involve your kids with nature. The more relaxed your children are, the greater the likelihood they will develop sharp critical-thinking skills, and maintain focus.

3. Offer incentives. It is no secret that any reward — no matter how small — is psychologically proven to bolster work performance.

4. Support teachers. With the added stresses of adapting to challenging learning environments, it is important to offer cooperation and compassion.

5. Provide hands-on learning opportunities, when possible. Tactile learning is shown to be much more engaging, stimulating and far more likely to be retained and implemented in daily life. In other words, it can feel more useful to a child, than worksheets, which can be repetitive and uninteresting.

Remember, Whitney Houston was onto something!

St. James homicides spark conversation on resources for domestic violence victims

by Daniel Dunaief - September 8, 2024

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Mentalhealth — Photo METRO Creative Graphics

By Daniel Dunaief

The murders last week of Kelly Coppola and her boyfriend Kenneth Pohlman in St. James were the nightmare every supporter of victims of domestic violence works hard to prevent.

After prosecutors charged Daniel Coppola, Kelly’s ex-husband, with two counts of murder, police reportedly shared that the family had one domestic incident from when the couple was married.

Kathleen Monahan, associate Professor in the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare. Photo courtesy Kathleen Monahan

Domestic violence is “an ongoing problem and an ongoing public health issue,” said Kathleen Monahan, associate professor in the School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University. “When you’re talking about 30 percent of the female population being battered at least once during their lifetime, you’re talking about a really big problem.”

After the murders, agencies on Long Island that work steadily to avoid such a horrific outcome “kick into high gear” and “try to mobilize women that we think are in real danger,” Monahan added.

Women aren’t the only ones exposed to domestic violence, as children sometimes see it directly or hear it while they are hiding in another room. Recent estimates suggest that between 3.3 million and 10 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year, according to the Domestic Violence Services Network.

In the St. James homicides, Coppola told his 15-year-old daughter to wait in the car while he allegedly committed the murders.

Indeed, while the vast majority of these violent incidents don’t result in death, they do present an untenable situation for victims, some of whom receive ongoing verbal, emotional, financial and physical abuse in the course of an unhealthy relationship.

Abusers sometimes break down their victims, criticizing them and damaging their ego, while getting them to question their judgment or mental abilities.

Domestic violence is often about “power and control,” said Wendy Linsalata, Executive Director at L.I. Against Domestic Violence. “Any time a survivor is working to take back the power and control over their life, [the abuser] feels the anger increase” as does the danger.

L.I. Against Domestic Violence offers a 24-hour confidential hotline, 631-666-8833, that people who are struggling with domestic violence can call for help.

“If something doesn’t feel right to you, follow your instincts,” urged Linsalata. “As minor as it is, reach out to us. You’re not wasting our time. We won’t judge what you’re feeling or thinking.”

Linsalata suggested that domestic violence is not primarily or exclusively caused by alcohol or mental health problems that affect the abuser.

Research has demonstrated that taking away alcohol from an abuser doesn’t prevent their inappropriate and unwelcome behaviors, Monahan noted.

To be sure, alcohol can remove inhibitions, which exacerbates abusive behaviors.

Mental health problems can also lead people to act violently or inappropriately.

“Can mental health contribute? Sure, but is it the all-out case? No,” Linsalata said.

Prevalent problem

Advocates for domestic violence victims urged people to recognize a pervasive problem in their interactions with someone who is abusive.

“This can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of their socioeconomic status, their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identify, or sexual orientation,” Linsalata said. “This happens across the board.”

Abusive behavior often starts early in a relationship and can appear to involve paying close attention.

When someone needs to know where their partner is at every hour, needs to check their partner’s phone and wants to monitor their partner’s communications or connections, they may be seeking to exert excessive control.

How to help

Advocates offered advice about how friends and family can help others who may be living with domestic abuse.

“If [someone] discloses something to you, please believe them,” said Linsalata. Their partners can seem friendly, personable and charming, but they may, and often are, completely different when they are alone with their domestic partners or families.

“Let them know you’re a safe person to talk to,” said Alberta Rubin, Senior Director of Client Services at Safe Center Long Island. “You’re not going to push them to do something. You want to be there for them.”

Linsalata urged people to recognize that the violence or abuse is “never the fault of the victim” and the “onus is on the person making the choice to abuse them.”

Residents or family members can also call the L.I. Against Domestic Violence hotline for tips on how to start the conversation with those they believe need help.

“Don’t tell them what to do or say, ‘I wouldn’t stay for that’ or ‘I would go to court and get an order of protection,’” Linsalata suggested.

If she noticed a family member was struggling in a relationship, Monahan would express her concern and ask how she can help.

Professionally, she’d let a survivor know that he or she could be in danger and can receive support from organizations on Long Island or from therapists.

Preventing abuse

Groups throughout Long Island have been working to help students understand the need to respect boundaries and to avoid becoming abusers or predators.

The Crime Victims Center Executive Director Laura Ahearn. Photo courtesy Laura Ahearn

Laura Ahearn, Executive Director of The Crime Victims Center, highlighted the “Enough is Enough” program which she said Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) spearheaded to prevent relationship violence and sexual assault on campuses in New York.

Efforts at preventing these kinds of abusive relationships have started in middle schools as well, as students learn about healthy boundaries.

Monahan suggested that people don’t start out life as abusers.

“How do you take this beautiful looking baby and put him or her on a pathway to destruction?” she asked. Amid other contributing factors, all the different ways a child is traumatized during “crucial developmental stages can make them angry and without the essential tools to navigate in society.”

Victims advocates point to the importance of an Extreme Risk Protection Order, which prevents people who are thinking about harming themselves or others from purchasing firearms.

“We don’t want to infringe on anyone’s rights,” said Linsalata. “We want to keep people safe.”

Ultimately, advocates urged people to consider the slippery slope of harmful behavior, even from family members or from those they love.

“In the field, we have a saying that, ‘if he hits you once, that’s not going to be the end of it,’” said Monahan. “If he crossed over that line” he could and likely will do it again.

North Shore students head back to school

by TBR Staff - September 7, 2024

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Local students had their first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Their parents happily saw them off, and the kids were excited to catch up with all of their friends on the bus, and in the parking lot.

Cruise Night Car Show at the Shoppes at East Wind attracts the classics

by Bill Landon - September 7, 2024

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By Bill Landon

As the saying goes, “The show must go on,” and despite high temperatures, in the shared parking lot of East Wind and The Shoppes in Wading River, the show did go on, as it does every Wednesday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. through October with a Cruise Night Car Show.

Packing the lot was a full complement of vintage classic cars and souped up muscle cars, along with the most modern exotic automobiles.

The area’s business owners welcome the enthusiastic, Wednesday night cruisers, because they bring their appetites and peruse the community’s various speciality shops.

— Photos by Bill Landon

NEVER FORGET: North Shore communities commemorate 9/11

by Heidi Sutton - September 7, 2024

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East-Northport-9-11-Service-2015_05w — A 9/11 service at the East Northport Fire Department. Photo by Victoria Espinoz/TBR News Media

Twenty-three years ago, the United States changed forever when hijacked jetliners crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania. At Ground Zero in New York City, the traditional reading of names of each victim will begin at 8:30 a.m. this year at the 9/11 Memorial and the following ceremonies will be held on the North Shore to honor the thousands of lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, a day that will live forever in our hearts.

Centereach

The Centereach Fire Department, 9 South Washington Ave., Centereach invites the community to join them on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. for its annual 9/11 Memorial Services and candle lighting ceremony. 631-588-8652

Commack

The Commack School District will present A Night of Reflection in remembrance of 9/11 at the Commack High School football field, 1 Scholar Lane, Commack on Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Call 631-912-2000.

Coram

Join the Coram Fire Department, 202 Middle Country Road, Coram for a remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. 631-732-5733.

East Northport

The East Northport Fire Department, 1 Ninth Ave., East Northport will host a 9/11 candlelight vigil memorial service with neighboring fire departments on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. 631-261-0360

Hauppauge

The Hauppauge Fire Department, 855 Wheeler Road, Hauppauge will host a Remembrance Ceremony at its 9/11 Memorial on Sept 11 at 7 p.m. featuring the Hauppauge High School choir. 631-265-2499

Huntington

Town of Huntington officials will host a ceremony at the 9/11 memorial at Heckscher Park at the corner of Prime Ave. and Main Street, Huntington on Sept. 7 at noon. 631-351-3012

Mount Sinai

The Mt. Sinai Fire Department will host a 9/11 memorial ceremony at its headquarters, 746 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mt. Sinai on Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. 631-473-2418

Nesconset

The 9/11 Responders Remembered Park, 316 Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset will host its annual memorial service and naming ceremony on Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. 631-724-3320

Port Jefferson

— The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Vigiano Brothers Lodge 3436 invite the community to join them for a candlelight remembrance of 9/11 at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. Candles and refreshments will be provided. 631-928-7489

— The Port Jefferson Fire Department, 115 Maple Ave., Port Jefferson will hold a 9/11 memorial service on Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. 631-473-8910

Rocky Point

The Rocky Point Fire Department will host a ceremony at the 9/11 Community Memorial, at the corner of Route 25A and Tesla Street in Shoreham, on Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. 631-744-410

Selden

The Selden Fire Department, 44 Woodmere Place will host a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. 631-732-1234

Setauket

The Setauket Fire Department will conduct a 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Hook and Ladder Company 1, Station 3, 394 Nicolls Road, Setauket on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. followed by refreshments in the firehouse. Call 631-941-4900, ext. 1043

Smithtown

The Town of Smithtown will hold a Remembrance ceremony at 9/11 Memorial Park, located on Main Street (North Side) between Bank Street and Landing Avenue, Smithtown on Sept. 11 at 3 p.m. 631-360-7600

Stony Brook

To honor and remember the 21 Stony Brook University alumni who died on 9/11, all members of the community are invited to visit the Memorial Arch near the University’s Humanities Building, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook for quiet contemplation and reflection on Sept. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The campus chimes will ring 21 times at 8:46 am. 631-632-6330, [email protected]

Sound Beach

The Sound Beach Fire Department, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach will hold its annual Service of Remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. 631-744-4994

— Compiled by Heidi Sutton

Photos of the Week: Labor Day weekend along the North Shore

by Bill Landon - September 6, 2024

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By Bill Landon

After early morning clouds, the skies cleared and the North Shore was treated to comfortable temperatures under brilliant sunshine with activities for all on Labor Day weekend.

— Photos by Bill Landon

Eye on the Street: Labor Day edition

by Toni-Elena Gallo - September 6, 2024

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By Toni-Elena Gallo

Labor Day is a time for families to come together and savor the final moments of summer. It’s one day when adults don’t have to think about working and kids don’t have to worry about the impending first day of school. So, this Labor Day, TBR News Media asked beachgoers at Lake Ronkonkoma how they were enjoying their day off.

Jenny, Corona

Jenny spent the day relaxing in the sand at Lake Ronkonkoma. She sunbathed, while watching her parents try their hand at catching some bass, pumpkinseed and perch. “We definitely take them home to eat. They’re delicious!” she shared. The family was very happy that Lake Ronkonkoma County Park was not too crowded. They were accompanied by their adorable dog, Bruno.

Katherine, Plainview

Katherine and her mother Josephine were looking for something different to do with Katherine’s young son, Michael. So, when “most things weren’t open,” the family decided to head to the lake and have a picnic. “Our dog, Rocky, is enjoying nature and Michael won’t keep his shoes on,” laughed Katherine

James, Ronkonkoma

James’ furry companion, Jake, loved every minute of ripping up his sand-riddled soccer ball. James was joined by family — including a little one who “loves Labor Day” — as they spent their day enjoying the sunshine and breeze.

Ava, East Meadow

Ava arrived with her husband and three kids to embark on a day of fishing. Equipped with their rods and beach chairs, the family was eager to give it a shot.

Diana, Ronkonkoma

*From left to right: Diana’s friend. her son and Diana.*

Diana was with her two children, and was joined by her best friend, and her son. She said that they “were having a phenomenal day” at Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park, as they took photos near the water. “My son has autism and loves being at the lake. It makes him very happy,” said Diana’s friend.

Emily Augulis, Bohemia

Emily shared that she spent her Saturday in Sag Harbor, with her mother, Milynn. Together, they perused the shops, chatted and admired some of the luxury boats docked in Sag Harbor Bay. “It was a really beautiful way to spend Labor Day Weekend, and [Sag Harbor] is such a nice town,” Emily said.

Maddie Pittigher, San Diego

Maddie spent this Labor Day in San Diego, as she prepares to start her computational biology, doctoral program, in the coming weeks. But, her family provided us with a few thoughts her daughter relayed, about spending her first holiday across the coast. She snorkeled and took in the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.“I had such a beautiful time at the beach. It was a great day to just relax, take time for myself and think about the sacrifices of those who work every day.” Maddie said that if she were back home on the Island, “she would be eating burgers and hot dogs” in her family’s backyard.

9/11 health program’s lifeline extended amid rising rates of health complications

by Toni-Elena Gallo - September 6, 2024

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Michael and John — From left to right: Lt. Michael O’Connell, Michael Barasch, John Feal and Lee London. Photo courtesy Michelle Loeb

By Toni-Elena Gallo

A lawyer and former construction worker have banded together to ensure all Sept. 11 victims receive their fair share.

Michael Barasch and John Feal have worked both together and separately for years on behalf of those who suffered health complications as a result of being at or near Ground Zero during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Michael Barasch standing in front of a firefighter’s uniform, in Washington D.C. Courtesy Michelle Loeb

Barasch’s law firm — Barasch & McGarry, located half a mile from the site of the attacks — was instrumental in getting the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 passed. This act was named after former NYPD Detective James Zadroga who died from pulmonary fibrosis caused by inhaling toxins at Ground Zero. This act greatly expanded the number of people in the 9/11 community who could access health benefits.

“Less than 10% of civilians are in [the World Trade Center Health Program] and the reason that we hear most often, when I ask someone with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, why they have not enrolled yet, is that ‘I didn’t know it was for nonresponders,’” Feal said.

“People think it’s just the firefighters and cops who were able to get medical assistance. And, if they did know that they were eligible, they didn’t want to take away ‘from those firefighters and cops, because I was only a teacher at Stuyvesant High School,’ or ‘I was only an office worker at Goldman Sachs.’ They don’t realize that they are entitled to this free health care,” he continued.

The 2015 reauthorization of the act added $4.6 billion to the Victim Compensation Fund, which was originally only in place from its 2001 inception to 2004.

John Feal at Ground Zero, in 2001. Courtesy Michelle Loeb

The fund is available to compensate all eligible 9/11 victims for illness, injury or death and anyone else who was in the exposure zone between Sept. 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002.

“They’re entitled to hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation because the government assured us the air was safe to breathe down there, and it wasn’t,” Feal explained.

As for Feal’s individual story, he was a demolition supervisor who developed gangrene and sepsis after an 8,000-pound steel beam crushed his foot during cleanup on Sept. 17, 2001. As a result of his and his friends’ experiences, he established the FealGood Foundation. He played a key role in lobbying Congress to permanently extend and fully fund the Victim Compensation Fund. Their efforts culminated in the passage of the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Compensation Fund Act, in 2019. This law guarantees funding for all eligible VCF claims, through 2090.

And these men are not done fighting yet.

New legislation sought

A bill entitled the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2024, sponsored by a bipartisan group of legislators — including Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressmen Andrew Garbarino (R-NY2) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY4) — is seeking to introduce key changes to the WTC Health Program.

A map which represents areas of Manhattan, where people can see zones in which compensation/health benefits is attainable. Courtesy Michelle Loeb

A few of these improvements include adjusting the amount of funding, according to inflation, by about 5% each; having funding reflect changes in the number of individuals enrolled in the program; giving those afflicted moved-up medical appointments; and reallocating unused funds to support ongoing health services, such as Medicare.

The men are also eager to expand the types of mental health professionals authorized to certify mental health conditions for 9/11 responders and survivors.

“Cancer’s the sexy word in the 9/11 community,” Feal said. “But, PTSD should be on everybody’s autopsy and death certificate. In 2005, the Surgeon General said post-traumatic stress disorder is a physical injury. PTSD does not allow you — your immune system — to fight cancers. It’s physical and mental stress on the body. And, we don’t talk about PTSD enough, because cops and firefighters, and all of these macho tattoo, bearded construction workers, don’t like to discuss it, but it’s not a stigma.”

Feal and Barasch have achieved a number of legislative wins and express that they don’t intend to start losing now.

“Now, while we do have enough money until 2027, we don’t want to wait until 2027. We are going to get this bill passed this year. Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, the other advocates — the congressmen from Long Island — I don’t discriminate whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican. I’m 19 for 19 on getting legislation passed, and I’m not about to fail,” Feal explained.

“Tens of thousands of people rely on our help, and the number of people with various types of cancers and illnesses rises by the year,” he added.

Both Feal and Barasch told how the funding they are pursuing will allow more illnesses to be recognized by the health program, as well as help with medical research into the conditions.

According to Barasch, “We lose two clients every day at my firm — all from 9/11 cancers. And, it is so heartbreaking. I’m so frustrated that more people aren’t taking advantage of these two programs, because we take this so personally, and not just because we made all these trips to Washington. Two of my paralegals died of 9/11 illnesses. Four others in my office, including me, are cancer survivors.” (Barasch has been diagnosed with prostate and skin cancer.)

On Sept. 14, Feal will be holding a memorial ceremony at the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park in Nesconset, while Barasch will be speaking at a candlelight vigil in New Jersey located at Liberty State Park, Jersey City.

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