Help a 9-11 Firefighter Walk Again

On the morning of 9/11, Michael Weinstock was a volunteer firefighter. He was also an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn’s Special Victim’s Bureau. He looked out the window and saw a cloud of dark, black smoke pouring out of the Twin Towers. Michael immediately ran outside and hitched a ride with the first emergency vehicle he saw. When he arrived, both towers were still standing. Michael was unloading emergency medical equipment from an ambulance when the first tower came crashing down. Michael was nearly crushed to death.

Origin of Michael's CRPS

In the days that followed, Weinstock joined his brother firefighters on the pile of rubble known as “Ground Zero”, where he was proud to serve on the “bucket brigade.” This was a group of rescue workers that passed debris down the line, to clear the wreckage and find survivors.

Michael providing emergency medical care to Gloria Knight, on September 11, 2001 (The temporary tattoo on Michael's arms was from the Alert Fire Department carnival, two days earlier)

Michael with Congressman Charles Rangel at Ground Zero

In June 2021, Michael broke his foot while doing some work in his home. Several months later, the pain in Michael's foot unexpectedly worsened — instead of improving. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition, known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

Help 9/11 firefighter Michael Weinstock recover from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as the "Suicide Disease."

Michael was a volunteer firefighter on 9/11. Today, he has a neurological pain disease.

Despite the condition's frequency in 9/11 rescue workers, the World Trade Center Health Program is not covering the costs of this disease. Michael has spent thousands of dollars in medical expenses and lost tens of thousands of dollars in potential income. Your donation will help him bounce back.

Michael speaking with Senator Clinton at Ground Zero

History of CRPS

CRPS develops in seemingly healthy people after they break a bone. The pain is highly disproportionate to the injury. EMTs and medical professionals always ask patients about their level of pain on a scale of 1 to 10. In the first year, Michael's pain level hovered from 8 - 10.

The pain is so severe, that the condition is known as the "Suicide Disease" because people suffering from CRPS frequently commit suicide. CRPS is a type of neuropathy and has no known cure. The condition frequently worsens.

Neuropathy & the WTC Health Fund

Firefighters who responded to the World Trade Center, on the morning of 9/11, are fifteen times more likely to develop neuropathy. Nonetheless, the World Trade Center Health Program has declined to provide assistance to rescue workers coping with the condition.

Michael at a 9/11 memorial Star-Climb

Michael Weinstock's Professional Accomplishments

In 2018, Pope Francis invited Weinstock to the Vatican. The Holy Father personally thanked Michael for his volunteer work in reuniting Italian Holocaust survivors with their rescuers.

Michael speaking with Pope Francis, flanked by Assemblyperson D'Urso and New York State Comptroller DiNapoli

Michael has always been a driven, resourceful person. Michael joined the volunteer fire department on his eighteenth birthday and the members of the fire department became a powerful surrogate family. Thanks to the love and support of the volunteer firefighters and their families, Michael was able to attend college and law school. When Michael graduated from St Johns Law School, he was offered his dream job. He became an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn — and he asked to be assigned to the Special Victim's Bureau. Michael put in long hours protecting women and children who were the victims of sex crimes and domestic violence.

Michael remains passionate about helping others. Shortly before Michael was injured, he founded his own law firm. The firm specializes in representing people who have been exposed to asbestos. You can check out Michael's work here: weinstocklawyer.com

Every Bit Helps!

While there is no cure for CRPS, Michael - through sheer determination and force of will - is getting better. He completes water therapy 5-6 times a week, eats healthy, lifts weights, and tries to keep his stress levels low. He also undergoes nerve block injections regularly. Michael has returned to work part-time, and he hopes to completely defeat this disease by snowboarding down the hills of California! He is also determined to join his brother firefighters, and climb to the top of the Auckland space needle, on the anniversary of 9/11.

Michael participating in a 9/11 memorial in Auckland, New Zealand

Despite Michael's optimism and work ethic, this disease has hit him hard. He was unable to work for several months and he paid thousands of dollars to doctors that were not included with his insurance provider. He is also being evicted from his home.

The $50,000 goal from this GoFundMe will go a long way in helping cover many of the expenses related to Michael's neuropathy.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and please share this GoFundMe with people you know! Every little bit helps.

For more information on neuropathy and how rescue workers at Ground Zero have been affected, please visit this website.