John Feal worked as a demolition supervisor at Ground Zero until a disabling injury—when an 8,000-pound steel beam landed on his foot five days into the cleanup. As 9/11-related illness started killing his friends, John became a relentless activist for the survivors and responders. He lobbied Congress to pass The James Zadroga
9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, which he subsequently fought to defend and expand in 2015 and 2019 with the help of dozens of his fellow 9/11 responders, post-9/11 illness survivors, and comedian Jon Stewart. After getting the 9/11 healthcare bill passed, Stewart told John Feal, “I will follow you anywhere.” Their next guerrilla lobbying project was the PACT Act, which guarantees healthcare for veterans exposed to burn pits in the War on Terror.
Through the FealGood Foundation, John continues to advocate for the health needs of first
responders nationwide. He has spoken at the 9/11 Memorial Museum, Princeton University, and Quinnipiac.
Vanity Fair has covered his
story along with NPR, The Daily Beast, The Wall Street Journal, all major news networks and
many local affiliates nationwide, and two documentaries.
He’s now writing a book, scheduled for publication in September, 2026, for the 25th anniversary of 9/11. I am his co-author.
NOTES FROM A GHOST is a podcast about stories and the people who tell them.
My name is Charles Daly, and I’m a ghostwriter. If you have an epic story, I’d love to hear it. You can find me at Dalyprose.com or on Linkedin.
