15 Years After Terrorists Attacks, Children Of 9/11 Share What Changed After Death Of A Parent.

The terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers 15 years ago shook the nation. People were reeling from the sudden changes in security and safety that left many scared. But for a select few, the terror hit too close to home.

A recent video documented the lives of children affected by 9/11. “More than 3,000 children and young adults lost their parents on 9/11. Their lives and career paths were shaped by the events of that day.” The creator of the documentary interviews 4 individuals. Each one of these seemingly unrelated people shares one thing in common: they all lost a parent during the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11th, 2001. Now, 15 years later, they are sharing their memories of that day and how it has affected their loved ones, lives, and careers.

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Thea Trinidad remembers wrestling being the biggest thing she and her father, Michael Trinidad, shared together. In honor of his memory and “to pull [herself] out of the depression [she] felt from 9/11,” Thea has spent the last 15 years pursing a professional wrestling career.

“The whole reason I decided to do it was because me and my dad loved watching wrestling together.” Thea says. “When I look into the stands, I may see an empty seat, but to me that seat is filled with him and his love. I can see him cheering me on.”

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Anjunelly Jean-Pierre entered the culinary industry in memory of her mother, Maxima Jean-Pierre, who became a pantry chef after immigrating to the United States. “I feel like I’m embodying her. And it just reminds me how much she pushed to come and dream for her children.”

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“I was six when my dad died.” says Mike Massoli Jr. “When I was probably 12 or 13, I found this plastic box that was in my mom’s house and it was filled with letters and cards and other things that people sent us after 9/11, mostly people we didn’t even know. That support… was so key and so helpful when we needed it, and I really wanted to be able to do something in my life to help out people who needed it, too.”

Now, Mike is starting a career in public service, hoping to become a government advisor or aide.

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Sonia Shah was only a small child when she lost her father, Jayesh Shah. Sonia still cherishes a few treasured memories of her father– “He was funny, he smiled a lot.”– but mostly she remembers the lessons she learned after his unexpected death. “That was something that quickly taught me how to be empathetic, how to be compassionate towards other people.”

Those lessons, deeply rooted in Sonia, have inspired her to volunteer with refugees. Now a student at Baylor University, she is studying social work, “knowing that there are other people who are walking around with scars on their hearts.”

Watch the video below for their full interviews.

Share these powerful stories of strength in the midst of tragedy today.

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