9/11 Stories: Child Autism Therapist & FDNY Wife Arlene Bradley-Lester

Arlene Bradley-Lester is an autism therapist who works with children between the ages of 18 months and 5 years. She’s also the wife of FDNY’er Kirk Lester. 9/11 was Bradley-Lester’s first day back from summer vacation, excited to be reunited with 2 year old Jack, who she took every day that summer to the Unisphere , located between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Arlene was on the F subway train, on her way to Jack’s apartment when the train suddenly stopped. It stopped so long, Arlene was panicked that she was late for work. When it finally inched into the City Hall station, a few blocks from the twin towers, Arlene rushed up the stairs, confused by the masses of people coming down. When she made her way to the street, it was absolute mayhem. People were running and screaming. There were shoes, people’s belongings and paper everywhere. Bradley-Lester stopped a woman to ask what was going on and in broken English the woman talked about a “plane hit”. Arlene looked up and saw the plane stuck in the tower. Arlene’s first thought, as an FDNY wife, was to rush to the tower to help people. Debris was falling, but Arlene didn’t know if it was from the plane or glass from the tower raining down. Realizing that she could be killed by the debris, she made her way to young Jack’s apartment. Husband Kirk managed to call Arlene , yelling at her to get out of the area. While they were on the phone, the 2nd tower was hit. Arlene could hear the alarm sounding at Ladder 43. Kirk simply said, “I have to go”. Arlene didn’t hear from or see him for 3 long days. She didn’t know if he was dead or alive.
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[@Littlescienceguy]

This was a very interesting perspective of the events, from someone that close to the towers. I’ve never heard some of these descriptions before… “The plane is stuck in the building.” “The edges of the building began to bow out.” “I could hear the steel groaning.” I’ve seen so many videos of the twin tower attacks, but listening to her makes me think that they saw and heard things that even the TV cameras couldn’t fully grab. This was one of the most emotional first hand accounts of the collapse I have heard. I can tell she really misses the towers. The story about Freddie was tough also. Bless you ma’am, and perfect health for you and your husband in Jesus’ name.

[@peppiholliday4525]

Amen

[@oc2538]

There is so much pain there but she brightened up when she talked about her student Jack. I think it's beautiful that she went back to the house to help. Not many people would do that.

[@MareRS357]

So many people still have PTSD. I hope this lady will be okay. Her heart sounds broken. What a nightmare to experience. God Bless ❤️🙏🏼

[@janegreen5301]

Honey, You do not get over PTSD. You learn to live with it.

[@TattedIrishxxx]

⁠@@janegreen5301I was Just going to say that… “No one with PTSD gets over it…” and really, these people more than likely have Complex PTSD, this is more severe complex version of PTSD.

[@mothershelper1981]

Sometimes I feel like each story is more heartbreaking than the one before. Thank you so much for sharing yours.

[@katelynbrown98]

Yes. This one is really amazing cause it's interesting to see how it seems to have affected every one in New York especially since she started out by not saying she was married to a fireman.

[@katelynbrown98]

This is horrible. I feel so sorry for all of these people. I am horrified. I never thought about how it affected the regular people not even involved in the towers or the rescue efforts. You are so brave to share your story.

[@sarahnanna5138]

I am so sorry. Your raw emotions can be felt to the core. The picture you clarified of a sea of humanity all walking together, in the same direction silently walking together and experiencing the best of humanity. Understanding, compassion , gratitude. All the greatest of humanity was turned quickly by DC. Unity is the biggest threat to DC and world leaders. I’m so glad you’re here.

[@LLandP]

The immense torture you have endured over the years is so overwhelming. You are such a strong and sensitive person. God bless you and your family.🤗

[@KaskadiaJackassWatch]

She needs to have her pancreas evaluated with her description of severe pain from GERD and hospitalizations. Pancreatic cancer is one of the common cancers popping up after 9/11.

[@esmeambrose7373]

What an incredible woman, thank you for bravely sharing your story P.S. I'm so curious to know how Jack feels about water as an adult :)

[@sheilahammond4260]

Arlene, of all the accounts that I have watched and heard, yours has been the most memorable and touching and emotional. Listening to your description of what you went through, I don't think anyone has told it the way you have. After all this time, you are still feeling those same emotions. They are so real, and we can all feel a little bit of the horror and terror associated with that tragedy. I'm sure you could have cried a lake full of tears. I'm so glad that your husband survived, and so sorry that you lost so many of your and his friends. My heart goes out to all those who suffered on that day.

[@thilomuller2497]

Thank you for sharing your story. God bless you, your husband and all of your friends. There will be a time when you will see them all again at a very nice and peaceful place and they will all be there, smiling at you and thanking you for keeping them in your memory for so many years.

[@marthamartha3222]

So true. We we're change for ever on that horrible day.

[@djvan1695]

May God our Father touch you with his healing hand. You have been thru so much ... you were so severely affected, and I and those like me across the country think of you all who were so personally affected by this disaster.

[@sheilahammond4260]

And across the globe.

[@beverlystaley9698]

There aren't many of these stories that I haven't heard ( from this channel, I mean). But listening to Arlene and the pain that she still feels so deeply still to this day for her friends & countless victims - Omg. My eyes welled up with tears especially hearing her still trying to wrap her head around the fact that the buildings were so huge and so full of lives, of desks, computers, phones etc. But they were just gone in a matter of moments - pulverized...nothing left. Where did they go? Turned into the dust that ash that everyone breathed in, that is killing the surviving rescuers and civilians. it will never make sense and will always be incomprehensible. Thank you for sharing your story Arlene. You have such a beautiful heart ❤

[@amy109]

Same here! You worded it better than I did because I’m still sitting here crying listening to her 😔

[@zaki-ollahrustemi3815]

Oh God this women’s voice is so pure and innocent .

[@marthamartha3222]

I will never forget that horrible day. My heart ❤️❤️ is with everyone lost on that day. And my thoughts and prayers are with you 🙏🙏 and everyone.

[@marynagy8072]

This was a most emotionally powerful testimony- thank-you for sharing it.

[@StudioEq_777]

Thank you for telling your story, your strength and courage is unprecedented and very inspiring. Many thanks for sharing. ❤🙏❤

[@dianemitchell1717]

So sad the authorities did not warn the people who were exposed to the dust and toxins and were not given masks to protect them or medical help for so many years. Bless you for your telling your story.

[@hardcorehunter9438]

How would they have given masks? Nobody knew that shit was gonna happen. Masks were the last thing on anyones mind

[@katelynbrown98]

@@hardcorehunter9438 I fully agree. No one could realize how horrific that day could've been. No one could've known and according to the firemen that have told their story on here already, it was too hot or too dusty for the masks to have worked anyways.

[@glendaharris7219]

What a testimony...yes, so glad your hubby is with you..you know only God knows the number of our days...keep living each day to the fullest...God bless you and those you love. Thank you so for your testimony... and God bless America and all those who sacrifically help to make her strong. 🇺🇸

[@amy109]

I have listened to a ton of these videos and this one has me crying. Wow. God bless you and your family 🥺🙏🏼

[@rethinkeverything2982]

Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your experience that day…. I was in 6th grade and I know it was beautiful that day there but I remember leaving school here in Tennessee and the sky just was dark and green and Just…. America 🇺🇸 felt that day everywhere. I wish I could hear everyone’s stories before they passed😢all the heroic teamwork and selflessness… God be with them. Thank you for showing up for everyone like they did everyone too💕💝 that takes a lot of strength and courage…🙏 I am so sorry for all of your losses… everyone….🇺🇸

[@BarBaraWhorleyCrawfordESS]

Sweet Sweet Sweet Arlene I’m sending you and so many of 9/11 iam sending you all kinds of love and healing hugs. I’m so sorry for all the pain and devastation you’ve experienced and continue to experience. I was raised by a Fire Fighter Dad. I too was close to the families of the firehouse. My second home. I cannot fathom losing any of my uncles as we called them. Heartfelt hugs

[@wandarask8444]

Hope the lady waiting for her husband with the baby are ok. X

[@marthamartha3222]

Thank you Arlene Bradley for sharing your story. My heart ❤️ is with you.

[@juliamarin4896]

Thank you so much for sharing your story.

[@thomasmcdonald2219]

What a painful story to listen to. So grateful for you letting us walk through that with you.

[@paulamarie43]

Thank you for telling me your story. I will pray. Love from Alberta, Canada

[@brettcomstock1156]

Thank you for sharing your stories. I’m otherwise, speechless. So; thank you.

[@MissBe737]

Thank you for sharing. May God comfort you and bring you peace.

[@xino_z]

I'm so sorry what you went through Arlene

[@marymorris6897]

Thank you for this touching remembrance.

[@NJBeachlover1]

God Bless You 🙏

[@user-to8pq5kd1n]

Thank you for sharing ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@annemow]

😢 oh wow....the continual sob.... it's beyond unreal. My heart is with you all that were affected.....and who wasn't ❤

[@cherylstaples1790]

I'm riveted to her story!

[@k.gspianoworldjourneyschan437]

Arleane!, I wish I could hugg you an tell u its gonna be ok! I'm truly sorry 4 your experience, loss, and pain! I'm proud of u! Lov kenny 💓

[@annamarieh333]

Such a tragedy 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@wandarask8444]

Thats terrible your husband didn't call you for three days . Why didn't he call ?

[@daisy2217]

I thought the same thing.

[@tinawoodell1957]

The phone lines were down and people didn't have cell phones like today and with what he was going through down there at the pile, time was just lost I'm sure.

[@ginalaperuginanyc7641]

@@tinawoodell1957 We had cell phones…the flip ones. I’d had my first cell phone in 1999, but the North Tower was hit first and had the cell tower. It knocked out communications.

[@tinawoodell1957]

@@ginalaperuginanyc7641 yes there were cell phones but not like today. They are glued to our hands. Lol and yes the lines were down like I said.

[@sigsin1]

There were pay phones available. On the first day, too many people were using them and the fire department had their hands full. So I do understand not hearing from him the first day. After that, there was no excuse. Others were able to do this using land lines. I didn’t listen to the entire thing. Was he badly hurt and/or in the hospital, unconscious?

[@jeanmm2996]

So sad.

[@dogsnskiing656]

I feel so awful for her!

[@johnrusselman1364]

There’s no real clinical diagnosis for PTSD which is she’ll shock. Everyone has a tolerance for traumatic events but as modern societies produce weak men and hyper-emotional women you can expect those societies to be overwhelmed by other more aggressive and increasingly hostile cultures.

[@VintageLPs]

Wow. You are heartless. What a disgusting thing to write.