Tale Of The 'Walking Dead'

A N.Y. Cop's Life Turns To Tragedy After Heroic 9/11 Work

(CBS) 
Zadroga was one of many "walking dead." Estimates vary, but tens of thousands of workers and residents have reported some lingering effects from Ground Zero exposure. Of the roughly 70,000 people currently enrolled in Mount Sinai's World Trade Center health study, more than 60,000 suffer some kind of respiratory problem.

Dr. David Prezant, co-director of the New York Fire Department's World Trade Center medical program, conducted a lung function study of 13,000 firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. He said that after Sept. 11, the average breathing capacity of the people tested dropped more than 11 times the normal aging process.

Prezant said that many questions remain about what could lurk down the road for emergency responders, especially latent diseases such as cancer, and encouraged more funding to maintain monitoring programs.

"Early diagnosis leads to early treatment," he said.

James Zadroga's diagnosis came way too late, his parents say. In 2003, he underwent a gallium scan — a radioactive procedure that looks for areas of hidden infection in the body. The test revealed black lung disease; a separate test disclosed he had the lungs of an 80-year-old man. Last Friday would have been his 35th birthday.

Relying on anti-depressants and therapy, Joseph and Linda Zadroga now have the task of raising a 4-year-old and explaining why her father is no longer here.

"With him gone, it's hard because you really don't want to upset her," said Linda, who added that they would probably seek family counseling soon for Tylerann.

The Zadrogas, who have no relatives close by to help out, have struggled with the switch from doting grandparents to 24/7 parents. It is now Joseph, not James, who plays with Tylerann and tries to coax her to sleep every night.

"Our biggest worry is us staying healthy," said Joseph, who turns 59 in April.

The Zadrogas were interviewed at the New York offices of their lawyer, Michael Barasch. But they have filed no lawsuit in connection with the death or their son, and have no intention of doing so.

The Zadrogas said they spoke out in hopes of highlighting the plight of other Ground Zero workers who have fallen ill.

"They’re just letting people die like dogs," said Joseph Zadroga. "They’re treating them like a number and letting them die."

The federal government has earmarked $125 million for monitoring the health of people exposed to the disaster site, but Joseph Zadroga insists that only treatment, not tracking, will help the situation.

There are signs the climate may be changing. Members of the New York congressional delegation have called on the federal government to designate a health czar to oversee the treatment of workers made ill by their work at the World Trade Center.

And this month, a judge green-lighted a class-action lawsuit by Ground Zero workers and residents of nearby neighborhoods. The judge blasted federal officials for assuring the public that it was safe to return to lower Manhattan in the days after Sept. 11.

But for Linda and Joseph Zadroga, the political rhetoric offers little consolation for the son they lost. Four-year-old Tylerann, meanwhile, is simply trying to make sense of her loss.

"She told everyone at day care that her parents died," said Linda. "I don't think she understands why."