My sister and I are from Staten Island too. She worked in a building a block over but there were no buildings between hers and the trade center. She said she watched it happen snd could feel the heat. She had no idea what was going on. I called her hysterical telling her to get out now, get out of the city! Like you they were telling them to stay put. She tried to leave and as she got to the lobby there were people covered in the dust screaming coming in off the street…. She eventually made it out. My nephew told me she walked in covered with white dust took off her shoes and said I better start dinner. She would never say anything else. I tried numerous times and she said that she remembers watching but her mind blocked out the details- the people jumping , all of it. She never did remember. She went back to work the next week. The only thing she complained about was the horrible burning/ electrical smell everyday. She died of small cell lung cancer ten years later and I’m sure it was from “9/11” . All of the women she traveled with on the ferry Also developed cancers in various forms. She was only 55. God Bless you ❤
💯 percent that dust was lethal and has taken far more than 9-11 itself..I would imagine it was full of asbestos etc as it was built in the time frame when they still used the horrible stuff..
If not for the sister, this poor woman would have been another victim of these monsters. Not everyone has survival instincts, she’s lucky she had her sister to encourage her forward.
Total New York accent, different from Long Island, different from Upstate. I'm from Brooklyn, NY. Maaaan. It was a terrible day. FN Saudis, Egyptians...EXtreme terrorist behaviors.
I was deeply touched by your confession. I come from Poland where after the Second World War there are still a lot of traumatized older people, despite the fact that it's been 75 years ago. But tragedy of WTC is still alive in some way. Let God bless you.
I'm British, but love Poland, and visited Warsaw, to all the museums, to take in history. I was moved to tears plenty of times. The footage taken by the plane up and along the river... I just could not believe the devastation. It went on forever :(
@@theoriginalbluey Thank you. I am very proud of the Poles, my compatriots who fought during the II WW especially the Warsaw insurgents. We had many dark tragic pages in the book of common history.
@@riobrasilsambashowssambist1453 You are Polish !! Thats great ! Do you speak polish even a little bit ? Do you vist Poland. We are very strong and brave , we had no choice.Hundreds of years of occupation have seasoned us.
My mother is 87 years old. She was 3 years old in Poland when WW2 started. She still has PTSD. She spent her formative years fighting for her life. Years of ongoing trauma, bombs going off, starving, under the control of Nazi soldiers, it’s had a severe impact. My heart goes out to everyone who has suffered trauma. May God bless and heal every one of you 🙏🌹💕
I want to hug Jeanette. What a beautiful and candid reflection, i'm so happy that she is able to see she has so much even through such a horrible, dark and traumatic experience. What an amazing turnaround for her. And she's 100% right, it's all about people sticking together and helping each other through love and communication.
Strange how people can go through something so traumatic and eventually over time emerge with such a peaceful, soft, and kindly appearance and demeanor, such as yourself. These testimonies really do help others. 🌷🌷💐 Thank You.
The world needs you, Jeannette. I am sorry for the experience you went through on that day, but I am grateful for what you are able to do for others as a result.
Even if it was a small plane it was still a catastrophic event causing death and panic right next door, the fact that so many just continued on working is crazy to me.
I know! This is not hind sight. I have been in situations before and after 9/11 where I erred on the side of caution and bounced. F- a job. SO many people perished by trying to be a "good worker".
Jeanette ... I was captivated from the first minute of your story all through the 24th minute. You have a pure and beautiful soul. Peace and all good to you ... and your sister, Gail. Continue to take care of yourselves and each other. Stay well and blessed.
The 9/11 Tribute Museum is a wonderful thing. We went when it was still young in 2009. The Volunteer Museum worker (the mom of someone who died on 9/11) helped me; handed me a box of Kleenex when I cried. Today is the 20th Anniversary and I feel sick to my stomach. But I’m so glad you and your sister are alive. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing your story. I think I’ve listened to every story available online. They are all so different, yet so very much the same. The human spirit and the will to live touch me so much. My feeling of dread as I watched it unfold on live tv doesn’t even come close to being there, so I thank you for reliving it to help us all understand. Hugs to you!
I'm a nurse who worked in a burn unit in phoenix on 911. Originally from NY. Spent nine eleven loading up the helicopter to fly to new york when the president's stopped all air travel. We thought they would need our services because we saw fires and we were the burn team. This was before the buildings fell. As it turned out we couldn't get there but they didn't need us anyway. Either you got out and were okay or you were dead by the end of the day. I will never forget watching the new york disaster response team. They executed perfectly. Medical professionals lined up on the sidewalk with their gurneys already to go.... But there were few survivors.
I lived in Manhattan then and it always sticks out in my mind what an absolutely gorgeous clear morning it was on 9/11. It was blue as could be. It somewhat haunts me to this day. So many people mention that when they talk about that day. We all woke up to this incredibly beautiful morning and all of our lives were completely changed by the next morning. Life is so incredibly precious. Put your phone down and enjoy being present. Thank you for sharing your story.
I think every 9/11 story I have ever heard starts that way…how beautiful it was that day. A day that *stuck out* for just how beautiful it was… They were blessed with that gorgeous morning - thinking of that, i’m not sure if that makes the tragic events that happened that day less painful for me…or more painful 😔
@@ColonizersBlow Apparently there is a word that pilots use to describe how clear the conditions were that morning. I just watched a video from a pilot that flew that day and he said they called it “severe clear.” Strangely, as I sat out on my fire escape that morning, thinking wow it’s so beautiful after about a few minutes something felt “off.” Almost like this weird “calm before a storm.”
@@tajr.2650 I was in LA and up early watching the news and I remember being shocked that a plane hit. I kept thinking...how could this pilot not see the WTC?? The sky is so clear!! It's so crazy how you got that feeling something wasn't right. Somehow your gut told you something was about to go down.
God bless! Your sister was your angel, your protector who got you out. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m a NYer and I was like you not knowing what was going on that morning going to college on the train. I was on the 7th train in queens borough plaza where I saw the beautiful skyscrapers every morning and I witness the first tower falling and I was in shock. My heart goes out to everyone who lost their lives because I had visited the observatory a year earlier and to think how they had no way out. It’s mind boggling. There is more to my story but let’s just say it’s a day I will never forget. All those people there and were son vulnerable and helpless, it’s a nightmare NYC was facing! God bless and RIP to those who lost their lives.
Never feel guilty for surviving, you're very special and important. Everything that happened was because of the evil choices of others, it does not diminish you in any way that you didn't have children. The best tribute to those who were lost is to carry on and do meaningful things with your life.
Every single story I have heard about how people behaved on 9/11, it’s always how she describes…people helping one another, looking out for each other, no one just thinking of themselves.
God bless you, Jeannette! Not only have you helped yourself but you have helped many of us with your story. i am a Canadian from Ontario. And we were so affected too by the terrible trauma of that day. So glad that you were able to met the Newfoundlanders that were such heroes! So many heroes that tragic day.
My heart breaks for what you went through and everyone in New York. I have been watching the documentery programmes on tv! I live in England. God bless you and your sister. God bless the people who died and the wonderful heroes on that awful day.💔😢😢❤️❤️❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Im also in england its so horrible what happened. I went to new york a few years after it happened such a special amazing place hope to return one day ❤
Wow. I have never heard a story from your perspective. I always focused on EMS, fire fighters, people in the towers and planes etc. I didn't consider all the people in the surrounding buildings, those that escaped and those that died. Those that got out asap and yes, survivors guilt, guilt for not doing more, helping more etc. What a great story and message! Thank you for sharing!!
God bless. You're right...your sister is your hero! Thanks for sharing your story and telling us how this experience changed you. You are worthy to be a survivor. Your life since then has enhanced others lives. Way to go!
Thank you Jeanette for sharing what happened to you on 911. You and your sister are both heros because through the help of your family and faith as you mentioned, you've shown other people that it's okay to accept that you're not okay all the time. As I was listening to your story I kept thinking...a devine power intervened and showed her how to spread healing and love in ways she never imagined. This is such a powerful story and message of survival because survival never stopped on 911 it was survival of many years to come. I hope your story inspires many as it has me. Thank you and God Bless you and your family.
We spoke with Jeanette at the 9/11 Memorial and had a beautiful, heart-warming conversation. The beauty of it is that she tells the story as if you're the first person she's telling it to.
There are so many clips to click on. Not sure why I clicked on yours. But I’m sure glad I did. Thank you for sharing your story. May you continue to have a happy and fulfilling life with lots of wonderful friends and connections! 👍🙏🏻❤️🇺🇸
What an incredible woman. Your purpose for surviving came many years later and you’re worthy of being here. You’re doing God’s work by helping others now even though you weren’t helping anyone on that day. That matters and you matter. ❤
I wasn’t in New York for 911, but I was an EMT, and immediately after 9/11 I become a firefighter. It’s 22 years later now and I’m not a firefighter or any EMT, but 9/11 made me a better person, and made me know that I needed to do more. Every September I watch what I can to remember, while I cannot do those physical activities as much anymore, being a good person is for everyone. Thank you for sharing your story, I think your sister because you were able to share your story.❤
Very well said. On a much smaller scale, I did something similar. I was at home in Mass. Tuesday morning, I walked my daughter to school, got back to the house, put the t.v. on and started to watch this breaking news out of N.Y.C. All very confusing and disturbing. And rather than glue myself to the t.v. I quickly flicked it off and started to vacuum...and vacuum and vacuum. It was 2 much to process. I was 8 1/2 months pregnant, she'll b 20 years old on 9/20, and felt way too vulnerable to even begin to process what was happening. The less I knew the better I guess.. Thank u for sharing ur remarkable story.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I visited the 9/11 museum and memorial when I was last in New York and it is something that will always stick with me. Sending you love from England.
Thanks again for taking the time to share this. You were so wise to listen to your sister. And yes, trauma blocks out the horror of something that's happening so you survive. The brain wants you to survive, and I'm pretty sure it knows how much you can take at any given time, and shuts out what's going on to the point that you can think rationally in order to get away from what is causing the trauma.
I am spanish but I feel deeply involved in what happened 9/11 My heart goes with every person that died or survied...sending all my love❤ I will always ear your stories ❤❤❤😢
Thank you for sharing your story, and thank you for what you’re doing. I know what you went through. I responded seconds right after the first plane hit the towers. I wanted to save everyone or as much as I could. In the end, I ended up injured. I have not gone back to the WTC because I am afraid of how I may react. I never even talked about it. I am still a police officer because this is what I love. I would do it again if I have to. As we near the 20th anniversary of 9/11, I am so full of mixed emotions. Bless you, All.
Thank you for your service and sactifice J Rock! Maybe what you shared today is a starting point for sharing your story. There is a time and season for everything. God bless you!!
Thank you so much for telling your story! I’m not connected to anybody in NY, and I live on the other side of the country. I remember 9/11 very well. I have listened to so many survivor stories. It’s like little mosaics that keep adding to the picture, a picture that will never be complete. But story tellers like you, Jeanette, have taught me so much about the human spirit. Stay strong and thrive!
Thank you for telling us your story. None of us are the same as before we all watched that immolation & death. It changed all of us. But only by listening & learning have we been able to live through it & past it. Thank you for YOUR service for others.
Thank you for sharing your 9/11 story. There is power in that. Such positivity, happiness, joy and good in the world come out of such a tragic, horrific day. It’s funny (not haha funny, how things work out that way. Sending you a hug & btw you’re a great story teller. God bless.
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Jeannette! I know you’ve been told this, but it’s not your fault. I get that survivor’s guilt is real.. but yes as you are sharing your story and you worked with the museum, you are helping keep this horrific but important event in people’s memories. I hope you find peace going forward. 💕
Thank you for sharing your story and keeping the memories of those who were lost that day alive! You are doing amazing work and I pray that others who survived this horrifying day can also say that they are okay by not being okay. Thank you! I‘m sending you so much love
Wow! Another survivor said a psychologist said you will break in 1 month, 3 months or 12 years. Ok with not being ok . I am so glad for you and your experience with the 9/11 tribute museum and healing. It’s about experience and sharing lives. Power of community of humanity.
I was not there, but in Wisconsin during 911. All of America was hurt that day. I am OK with not being OK with what I’ve been through just in my life and now I know how to say that. I was in Oklahoma when the Oklahoma City bombing happened in 1995. We lived about 30 minutes away. I worked with someone in the army national guard. He was called to go to Oklahoma City. I worked in the hospital and we had no idea what might happen to our hospital. Fortunately, Oklahoma City was big enough to handle the casualties. I will never forget Oklahoma City. My youngest child is named after, the baby that was cradled by the firemen. She had died. Her name was Baylee. My son was born a year later and his name is Bailey. May God rest their souls.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, sending love to you on the eve of the 20th anniversary, may you continue to ‘remember and keep alive’ all those that perished that day and who suffer each day on from the evil that happened … may they all find peace and comfort that the world still walks with them when we remember 9/11… love from 🇬🇧 xxx
Powerful and wonderful story. It’s easy to see why you’ve made so many friends. I imagine the moment you realized that it was okay to not be okay had to be such relief and so freeing.
This right here is why you survived. Imagine the odds of this being recommended to me. I don't have children either. Can't have. Always wondered why me? Then I realized that everything happens for a reason. I have a brother that was born with brain damage and epilepsy. The day my dad is no longer there or able to take care of him, he will become my responsibility. One that I will not shirk, because like your sister and you, I will do anything for my siblings too. I believe that is the reason I don't have children. Because it would have been too difficult for me to take care of him and children too all at once. One reason, certainly not the only, why you were spared is precisely so you can be the voice for all those, including Mother's, who died on that day. I am not even from America. I am South African. I remember my Mother waking me up for a nightshift that afternoon and telling me that I have to put the tv on so I can see what was happening in America. At work, we kept the tv on all night, stunned and saddened by what we were seeing. One is a victim first, then a survivor and in my opinion, then a conqueror. You are certainly a conqueror! Bless you and your sister both.
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story on your 9/11 experience. I can’t even begin to imagine what was going through your mind on that day, in the immediate days following, and every day since leading up to today. I’m glad you have family to support you not only then but twenty years later. You are an incredibly brave soul! ❤️
Speaking about a tragic experience is therapy and helps with healing. Your strength to share your story is powerful. Keep doing what you're doing! Tight hugs going your way❤️🙏🏼
