9/11 Stories: Maureen Spataro

“We’re going to be dealing with this forever. The 9/11 cancers are the second wave”. So says Q104.3 listener Maureen Spataro, whose mother was diagnosed with a 9/11 cancer just a few years ago. It was stage four kidney cancer. Maureen’s mom didn’t talk about 9/11 with any of her three children until she was diagnosed with cancer 17 years later. Until the diagnosis, Maureen never knew her mom had been enveloped by the dust cloud of the first fallen tower, that she was choking , couldn’t breathe, that she was covered in soot from head to toe , thinking she was about to die. Her mother knew immediately it wasn’t just soot. She thought to herself, “They’re all dead.”
Maureen’s mom worked in an office building a few blocks away from The World Trade Center. She didn’t know about the plane hitting the North Tower until Maureen called to alert her. Maureen was still on the phone with her mom when the second tower was hit. She remembers the moment of realization that we were under attack, crying over the phone, “Mommy, Mommy, please get out of the city now!”. Her mom remained calm, promising to find a bus or taxi . That’s when the phone went dead. Spataro’s mom was hit by the dust cloud as soon as she exited her building.
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[@tamerraeb2363]

Your Mom sounds like an empath. What a kind and tender hearted lady she must be.

[@donnaritch9704]

'I LIVE BECAUSE OTHERS CAN'T" I am deeply touched. From Canada

[@leestroud9246]

I’m a physician in Austin. I shared your Mom’s story in order to educate people about the Compensation Fund. I’m only now becoming more aware of this thanks to posts lije yours. Blessings to your brave Mom and you.

[@catmeow333]

I know what you mean, I couldn’t speak for 2 days. Just the shock and horror of it.

[@donw3912]

Seventeen years of not telling how her day went...That is a VERY strong lady!! Thank you for telling peoples stories. Future generations will see and hear these and get a really harsh lesson. I pray for all of those affected by that day and that they who are here are as healthy as possible and those that have departed are at peace with their creator and whole and healthy watching over their families and friends.

[@daniellehoulne2100]

Aww Maureen talking about the kindness of the captain who helped her mother had me tearing up. I would hope such kindness for my own mother in this situation. ❤️

[@patriciarouse2801]

Love it that this Mom Grandma got home on a boat.

[@raviithebabii]

My dads mom got home on a boat as well.. I always thank god till this day that she couldn’t get all the way into manhattan bc of what was happening.. she got off the train and was directed to walk to the Ferries

[@MissBe737]

I am so sorry you went thru all of that trauma on 911. I needed to hear this. My 27 year old daughter has 4th stage metastatic breast cancer. God bless you!

[@standup2982]

Thinking of you, how is your daughter? 💜

[@elainelerwell2294]

Bless YOU and your FAMILY❤❤❤❤❤

[@elainelerwell2294]

Hope your Government is paying for the free health care

[@elainelerwell2294]

Thank you doing these interviews,So people never forget.History is very IMPORTANT❤

[@maryhorn2028]

I understand that 500,000 regular people were affected by that toxic soot, etc. but only 100,000 have signed up with the victim compensation fund.

[@Loissupes]

That was the largest maritime evacuation in American history.

[@favouritemoon4133]

In world history [that we know of]. Bigger than Dunkirk, yet hardly anyone realizes it.

[@dawncolayco9340]

So glad you called asap. That saved your family. Glad to hear of the fund . New Yorkers and nearby are amazing. All the visitors and leaders citizens that saved other citizens . Those old school tough ladies. So glad she shared.

[@Micro_Learning]

This is so heartbreaking. I'm so sorry your family has gone through this.

[@megaladonrockband4855]

I am glad there is help for the survivors and those who were exposed to the toxic dust. Very saddening that the residual effects are and will effect many. Prayers for all those effected in the aftermath of 9/11. I remember flying over NYC on the way to Virginia Beach maybe a week after 9/11.

[@dianemitchell1717]

Your mom is a true heroine living through such a tragedy and then sparing your family the horror she lived through. I am So glad she told you all her story

[@hb8162]

Oh my…. I have heard many 9/11 stories. Maureen, you are MASTERFUL in capturing the atmosphere of 9/11. Especially true was your point that this is the 2nd wave of the terror attacks. It feels like the ripple effects of that wicked act just keep coming and coming relentlessly. I am so sorry that so many of us have been traumatized by that day. It feels like a really long PTSD.

[@balagan79985]

So unfair - I'm so sorry

[@elumalaibalasekar3877]

Mother will be mother. I love my mother so much.

[@favouritemoon4133]

I always listen hard, and I learn something during each and every one of these interviews. Thank you, Maureen, for reliving that day, and for educating me in the process. And thanks to your mother for sharing the truth of what she went through with you. I have never been through anything like what she did, but I feel as though I understand the choices she made about what she told [or rather, didn't] you and your brothers.

[@megaladonrockband4855]

In august of 2001 I landed in Newark from an overseas flight and my dad met me at the airport and we drove home to RI. I remember being in awe of the twin towers and the NYC skyline. Well after 9/11 I was supposed to fly to Norfolk to be stationed in the Navy. I called the command I was terrified to fly they added leave time and I remember when I did fly out the plane passed NYC. The captain urged a moment of silence. I remember the sadness and anxiety on that flight. It was hard to believe those towers were gone. The last trip I took before CoVID with my sons driving to RI, we stopped in Jersey at some park where we saw the Statue of Liberty and you could see the new World Trade Center. I wanted my sons to see a part of history that they didn’t know too much about because they were not born yet.

[@k.gspianoworldjourneyschan437]

Thanks Maureen 😊 🫂 🙏 my heart ❤ always listens and won't 4get. I was all the way in Michigan on that day and still 20 years later I don't 4get the people who were murdered. And the men & women who inhaled that smoke or dust of the fallen towers. Your family is now replacing one of a bad memories with a happy memory. Your mom's a hero! Love 💘 kenny.

[@dlynch1898]

Shelly I so appreciate these stories because we should #never forget. And to Maureen you’re keeping these stories as well as your mother and brother alive. Blessing and much love to all those effected by “9/11” 💕👍💕🇺🇸💕🇺🇸💕

[@wendyworf1049]

God Bless your Mom. Her story was incredible.

[@raineyj560]

I know my fellow NYers are tough but how in the outside boroughs u can continue to shop and be in la la land. I was working in NJ and we stopped EVERYTHING except making sure no one family members, our own employees etc was down there then we were ordered to go home.

[@megaladonrockband4855]

So sorry this woman’s mother went through hell on that day. I can’t imagine the agony of waiting to hear from family members that day. Not only did many lose loved ones that day in the initial collapse. Many suffered and still are suffering effects from cancer due to the dust that was created. The terrorists of this day are continuing to take lives from their actions on the morning of 9/11.

[@sophiemansell9813]

Thank you for sharing your mum’s story.

[@yigalordbanette8044]

Nothing on earth like an ITALIAN MOTHER. ❤

[@jeannemurray1046]

God bless all your Family

[@mikimauski]

Bless your heart 💖

[@lenagrasso2701]

I m fighting my tears. God Bless you and your and your daughter🙏🙏🙏

[@sharon22669]

Watch 9/11 Boat Lift. I cry every time i watch it. Great hero and rescue video.

[@LoraFlowers1475]

You are such a kind person Maureen. Never lose that beautiful trait ❤

[@mdgraystone]

What a great lady.

[@lenagrasso2701]

Thank God your brothers made it home🙏

[@NJBeachlover1]

God bless you and your family. 🙏

[@jodywho6696]

Thank You Maureen. The best to you and your family✨

[@gaytwinksfortrump]

Thx for sharing. :(. God bless u

[@kellyscott6361]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. God bless you and your family. I pray that your Mother is doing well. She’s an incredibly brave and strong woman. You are too! ❤

[@susanbrindisi8197]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@user-te8is7zz7s]

❤❤❤❤

[@DiceyJJ]

🙏🙏

[@kirstyhesketh7674]

❤

[@lenagrasso2701]

🙏💞🙏

[@chezzachezza7325]

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌹🌹🌹

[@watster1979]

No offence to the rest but this is an interesting story that wasn’t draaaaaaaagged out 👍🏼

[@tylerweinberg3985]

Let them drag it out, it's hard to tell stories so traumatic.

[@sister_eris4624]

Notice this woman wasn't there. Note most of the people who do these are doing it with great pain. Consider that you sound like a selfish asshole

[@kfrancis1872]

How anyone can criticize is beyond me. Especially people u suspect would just sit, cry, and crumble in the same situation. Have respect.

[@marymorenomariposa]

no offense.. but what was the point of this woman’s story?? she didn’t lose anyone

[@yigalordbanette8044]

You must not be American because we all suffered emotionally. To live in the land of the free and be secure safe to witnessing the hate and destruction. She tells her story so ignorant people can understand the devastating reality. You didn't have to lose someone. We all lost something that day . This grandma now has cancer. She was in the street and breathing that in the terror and people running . I guess I can't convince one who has no empathy understand

[@californiahiker9616]

I was reading through the comments and thought, wow, everybody is so full of empathy. And then I came across your comment.

[@PreviewReviewPredict]

Fake tears. If you’re gonna cry, cry. Stop looking for sympathy at the end of the video. Not a drop of water out of those eyeballs. Glad your mum is safe.

[@teddyhaynes9876]

Are you kidding me dude . Grow up what are you 15 , who are you to criticize

[@incarnateTheGreat]

...wh.....what?

[@alexialanda27]

Wow. You sound like a wonderful human being...

[@ChefFineaswine]

How dare you you Piece of dog shhhh

[@helenf.7221]

Loser

[@kirkhunter146]

She says three thousand fire dept workers died in the attack, this is is not true. The number was three hundred and forty three

[@incarnateTheGreat]

Ya I heard that, as well. I think she meant nearly 3000 people.