Meet the Author: John Feal
Meet the Author: John Feal
Author of: I Will Follow You Anywhere
Wednesday, June 17th - 3:00pm EST
Join us for a powerful conversation with John Feal, author of I Will Follow You Anywhere: The True Story of the 9/11 Responders Who Took On Congress. Best known for his tireless advocacy on behalf of 9/11 responders, Feal will share the remarkable story of how personal loss, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to others helped change lives and influence national policy.
On September 11th, 2001, John Feal rushed to Ground Zero to assist with the recovery and cleanup in the aftermath of the terrorist attack. 96 hours later, his destiny was forged by steel when an 8,000-pound beam crushed his left foot. As he adjusted to a partial amputation and went broke paying medical bills, he watched his fellow responders suffer and die from cancer and other ailments caused by the dust in the air they were told was safe to breathe.
Forgotten by a broken healthcare system and lawmakers who had promised to #NeverForget, Feal knew it was time to fight. Now, in I Will Follow You Anywhere, he shares his “recipe” for getting things done. Accompanied by stories from his fellow responders in their own words, Feal lays out his rogue approach to the ground game of representative government, empowering readers in all walks of life to take on the system and win.
While working to get the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and healthcare bill passed, Feal caught the attention of comedian Jon Stewart, who joined the cause and became a valuable ally and dear friend. In 2019, Stewart’s testimony before Congress went viral, placing a much-needed spotlight on the frustration and grief of those long abandoned by their government, and the bill was finally signed into law. In the years since, Feal, Stewart, and his team have championed the PACT Act for veterans exposed to burn pits and lent their expertise to other worthy causes.
John is now a “hired gun” for activists fighting to get legislation passed. With I Will Follow You Anywhere, he shares his hard-won wisdom and expert strategies that will enable underdogs everywhere to stand up against the mighty system
Participation is free and registration is required.
About the Presenters
John Feal
Founder, FealGood Foundation
On September, 12, 2001, John Feal and his team of Construction Demolition experts were called to Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan to aid in the cleanup and recovery mission. While supervising his team roughly 8,000 pounds of steel came loose, crushing his left foot. After 11 weeks in the hospital, doctors amputated half of his foot.
John went through years of surgeries and innumerable hours of therapy; as well as extensive hospital stays and mounting medical expenses. Once out of the hospital, John made it his mission to alleviate the Heroes of 9/11 from the burdens he experienced and created the FealGood Foundation.
The foundation assists First Responders and others who have been physically or mentally injured as a result of their rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts at the WTC site. John has helped pass 19 pieces of legislation in DC, NYS, NJ and Michigan. Through his organization, he has donated $10 million over the last 20 years, built a memorial and donated a kidney.