Jeffrey Wolkin was working as for-hire vehicle driver when two planes hit the World Trade Center on 9/11 – and he soon became one of the days’ many little-known heroes. The married father, who was 41 at the time, took fares in and out of Manhattan three times on that black Tuesday. He then spent some 223 hours shuttling clients below Houston Street over the next 10 months.
Wolkin is part of an unsung segment of New Yorkers who now suffer the effects of the toxic air left behind by the collapsing buildings: cabbies who helped keep NYC moving on 9/11 and in the difficult days after. Unlike others who were downtown after the attack, many cab drivers are not getting the help they need, experts say.
“People like cab drivers are completely underrepresented in the [9/11 illness victims] program” since they may not have a professional support system, according to Patrick Rheaume of 9/11 law firm, Barasch & McGarry, which represents more than 35 cabbies affected by 9/11. ”It’s so hard with a cab driver because you’re working alone and the burden of proof is so high” to qualify for the programs.
Wolkin was recently diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer, which has spread to his liver. He faces a 3% chance of survival. It’s the second time he’s battled stage 4 cancer. The longtime driver winces for fellow cabbies who haven’t applied for help. While there’s no definitive data tracking TLC-licensed drivers affected by 9/11, it’s clear many drivers aren’t getting the help they need, he says.
“Taxi, livery, and commuter van drivers played an often overlooked yet critical role in the wake of both the September 11 attacks and the Flight 587 crash. More than 1,000 eagerly volunteered to give free rides to the families of victims, as well as first responders working at Ground Zero, and we’re forever proud of their service,” TLC Press Secretary Jason Kersten said. “We refer any driver who believes their health may have been affected to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and the WTC Health Program.”
Source: MSN
