Tag Archives: 9/11

September 13, 2026 · 9:00 am

9/11 first responders may face higher risk of early-onset dementia

9/11 Memorial, New York City. Photo by Joy Johnston.

Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City. It’s both hard to believe that so much time has passed and remarkable how visceral the emotions are when recalling the images and stories of that terrible day in US history.

As I wrote previously, my father’s first home when reaching America was New York City. It always held a special place in his heart.

Research published in 2024 found that responders with the highest amount of exposure to the toxins in the dust and debris have up to a 14-fold increase in the risk of developing early-onset dementia, according to Neurology Today. A 2025 study which used MRI scans and an AI model found a connection between World Trade Center responders diagnosed with PTSD and accelerated brain aging, according to The Conversation.

9/11 first responders provide a large group to study as they age, and research findings are vital as first responders all around the world answer the call to help during both natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Right now, dementia is not one of the conditions covered by the World Trade Center Health Program, but advocates are hoping to change that as more research is published.

As Roberto Lucchini concluded in his article for The Conversation, as a society the best way we can honor the legacy of 9/11 first responders is by protecting those who come to the rescue of others.

Leave a comment

Filed under Awareness & Activism

Tagged as , , ,

September 11, 2021 · 12:01 pm

20 years after 9/11

It’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

I remember my father being particularly saddened by the scenes of destruction in New York City, the first place he called home when he arrived in America. My father had a passion for global affairs, especially those where repressed people were uprising. He wrote many letters to the editor over the years, discussing political affairs not only in his homeland of Northern Ireland but in Africa and the Middle East. He was an avid reader of large tomes on military policy and strategy. I wish I’d had deeper discussions with my father about world events. One of the worst aspects of dementia for my father was losing the ability to read, his favorite hobby.

I hope you’ll have time today to reflect and spend time with loved ones.

1 Comment

Filed under Memories

Tagged as , , , , ,

August 15, 2021 · 2:05 pm

A lesson on how grief impacts our memories of traumatic events

The 20th anniversary of 9/11 is coming up and there will be many powerful reports, essays, and accounts written to mark the somber occasion. Remarkable pieces have been published over the years about 9/11, such as The Falling Man. An essay published in The Atlantic recently is one of the most well-written and moving accounts I’ve ever read. On the surface it’s about a family’s struggle with losing a loved one on 9/11, but peeling back the layers with both compassion and clarity, Jennifer Senior reveals much more than meets the eye.

One of the more interesting aspects of the essay to me is the impact that trauma and grief have on our memories. It’s a lesson that may serve dementia caregivers well. Getting the details just right may not be as important as how we are able to process past traumatic events in the here and now. Sometimes remembering a specific word is less important than conveying the meaning and emotion of the message.

Another important lesson learned from this family’s heartbreaking experience is that grieving can cause us to act in ways we don’t intend. Communication can become difficult. It’s important to give those who are grieving space to process what they are feeling. Be a compassionate listener. This essay captures in vivid detail just how different the grief process can be for members of the same family.

The 9/11 anniversary is coming at a time when our nation is reeling from the deadly coronavirus pandemic. There are many of us grieving right now. I would encourage all of us to remember that as we go through our daily interactions. A moment of kindness can make a big difference.

Leave a comment

Filed under Awareness & Activism

Tagged as , , , , ,