Some Kids Left Behind

“It was the honor of a lifetime to advocate and testify with Lila Nordstrom who represented a large portion of the 9⁄11 community that often went unnoticed and would have remained unnoticed without her voice and courage.” –Jon Stewart, comedian, writer, political commentator, and former host of The Daily Show

“A powerful story of dedication and determination.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Nordstrom’s detailed narrative offers a balance of seriousness and humor that will enlighten and inspire readers; it belongs on the shelves of every public and school library.” –Library Journal

“In sixteen years on the Hill, I feared no politician, meeting, press conference, or interview. And while others like Jon Stewart or myself get too much credit for helping pass vital legislation, it was a young woman like Lila Nordstrom who was instrumental in ensuring these pieces of legislation were passed. And to be honest, to this day she is the only person I fear.” –John Feal, 9⁄11 first responder, activist, and founder and president of the FealGood Foundation

“Lila writes with humor, grace, and courage about the fight to ensure that the children of 9⁄11 received the benefits they needed to deal with the harrowing aftereffects of that awful day. She gives us a glimpse into the long, challenging journey of getting federal legislation passed and the battle to make sure the right people benefit.” –Kat Calvin, founder and executive director of Spread the Vote and cofounder and CEO of Project ID Action Fund

“When I look at Lila Nordstrom, I know the future of our country is in good hands. She has been an incredible advocate and leader for the 9⁄11 survivor community, bravely sharing her story of returning to school at Stuyvesant High School after the attacks, to ensure that all survivors receive the care and support they need. I am so proud to have worked with her, StuyHealth, and the entire 9⁄11 responder and survivor community to make permanent the World Trade Center Health Program and September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Lila was just a child when she and her family were told it was safe to go back to school–it wasn’t. She has seen too many of her classmates fall ill and be taken far too young because of ailments caused by the toxins in downtown New York City. And yet, she has never given up–instead choosing to turn her grief and anger into action. She is a truly remarkable young woman with an empowering story to tell.” –Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12)

“With Lila’s commitment to justice, her dedication to serving as a champion for the vulnerable, and her capacity to deftly navigate the harsh, often vicious world of health care and politics, she has made a meaningful, lasting impact in the lives of tens of thousands of others affected by the attacks of September 11.” –Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)

“Some Kids Left Behind is both a clear-eyed personal account of the events of 9⁄11, and the story of the making of a political advocate. Nordstrom writes with intelligence and passion about the ways that local and national politics increased the damage done to children and other community members in the wake of national tragedy. She asks us to reexamine what we thought we knew about the aftermath of 9⁄11, and to take a hard look at who our political and health care systems cover–and who is left behind.” –Annie Thoms, editor of with their eyes: September 11th–the view from a high school at ground zero and teacher at Stuyvesant High School

“Lila Nordstrom was one of the quiet forces that secured lifetime healthcare and compensation for the people that were exposed to toxins from their work or proximity to Ground Zero after the 9⁄11 attack. She has never given up and will continue to be the voice for the kids who returned to school just blocks from the toxic pile.” –Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)

“This book reveals a powerful and courageous story that provides lessons on the importance of comprehensive policy making, the power of listening, and the attention still needed to the many people–then children–who were left behind.” –Farah Pandith, author of How We Win: How Cutting-Edge Entrepreneurs, Political Visionaries, Enlightened Business Leaders, and Social Media Mavens Can Defeat the Extremist Threat and former senior US diplomat

“Lila’s personal and inspirational story of tragedy and triumph tells the common plight of America’s children having to protect themselves when the adults don’t, and offers powerful insights into a group of victims that have often been overlooked since the 9⁄11 terrorist attacks. At the end of this long fight for access to health benefits and recognition as victims, the politicians finally listened. It’s about time we all do too.” –Shaniqua McClendon, Vice President of Politics for Crooked Media

• Lila Nordstrom is a writer, producer, activist, and the founder of StuyHealth, an advocacy group representing former students who were in Lower Manhattan during 9⁄11 and the resulting cleanup. She has worked with the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, as well as New York City’s Health + Hospitals and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, to raise awareness for health programs supporting 9⁄11 survivors. Nordstrom was appointed to the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program’s Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee, serving three terms, and also served on the WTC Survivors Steering Committee. She has organized lobbying trips to Washington, D.C., to share the student 9⁄11 story with members of Congress. In June 2019, Nordstrom testified before the House Judiciary Committee on behalf of the estimated three hundred thousand NYC community members eligible for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. In December 2019, she was awarded New York City’s Bronze Medallion, the city’s highest civic honor, by the mayor. Under Nordstrom’s direction, StuyHealth has received media coverage from outlets including The New York Times, The Economist, CBS, Fox, and NBC. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Guardian, Bustle, the New York Daily News, and other outlets. Nordstrom is also the producer and host of Brain Trust Live, a weekly independent political podcast started in 2012, and the podcast What Can I Do? with Kelly Pollack. She has fifteen years of experience in film and television production and development. Originally from New York City, Nordstrom now lives in Los Angeles.

• Congressman Jerrold Nadler represented New York’s 10th Congressional District for more than three decades. He was the chair of the House Judiciary Committee and served for thirteen years as chair or ranking member of its subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. He also served as the ranking member of the subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. Nadler was the vice chair and founding member of the House’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality Caucus. He was a coauthor of the James Zadroga 9⁄11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 and later led the fight for its reauthorization. Congressman Nadler resides in New York City.

• Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney represented New York’s 12th Congressional District for more than three decades. The first woman to represent her district, Maloney was also the first woman to chair the Joint Economic Committee. She served as chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform and was a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. Maloney co-founded the House 9⁄11 Commission Caucus, where she pushed for the legislation that created the 9⁄11 Commission. She also worked to create and fund what would become the World Trade Center Health Program and fought to expand and reactivate the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Congresswoman Maloney sponsored the James Zadroga 9⁄11 Health Care and Compensation Act from its earliest iteration in 2006 to its passage in 2010, championing its reauthorizations in the following years. Congresswoman Maloney resides in New York City.

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