They’re not helping me,’ says man with high lead levels

Latest

pt.2016.06.06_Megan
Editor’s Note: The following is a portion of Aaron Stinson’s testimony at the “Two Years Too Long” commemoration rally of the Flint River water poisoning in Flint, MI.  Arron is 39-years-old and had the largest recorded level of lead in Genesee County, MI.
My name is Aaron Stinson for all you that don’t know me or may have not seen me. I have the highest lead level recorded in Genesee County. I was tested February 7 and I came in with a lead level of 27. I was retested in March; my blood lead level is 19.1.
I’ve done interviews with all of the local television stations, CNN; they even asked me to come down to the democratic debate and ask three questions on behalf of the people of Flint, as far as how we feel about the water situation. I emailed my questions that were asked on the air.
What concerns me about the whole situation… we’re being told that we can bathe in the water, we’re being told that we can still drink the water, it’s safe to consume, we’re still having people getting sick, we’re still having people not getting tested, we still don’t have the full support… people, we need to spread the word. I’m not going to sit up here and scream at you and talk your ears off. Please share what you know. I’m standing up here looking like a healthy, young, Black male. I’m sick people. Lead is in my body. I don’t know how it’s going to affect me. My healthcare providers are not helping me medically. They’re not helping me in any way.

+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.orgPlease donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

NY Mayor Mamdani Gives Stirring Address Marking America’s 250 Years

"The work of fulfilling the values first enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, that work endures and it belongs to us all," said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a stunning address to New Yorkers on the 250 years since the Declaration was signed.

Cuba’s Education in Crisis: Closures at the University of Havana

Young Cubans could lose the promise of a free, universal education, and consequences of the Cuban blockade stretch to communities around the world that have long depended on Cuban-trained doctors and teachers.

When Your Car Isn’t the Only Thing Being Tracked

A new generation of surveillance technology promises to do far more than read a license plate. II can detect and correlate the electronic signals constantly emitted by devices traveling with your vehicle.

Voting Rights Movement Rises; Join August March on Washington

With the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, everyone's right to vote is under attack. The movement to defend the vote is gathering steam. A march on Washington to defend the vote is planned for Aug. 28, 2026.

All This Artificial Intelligence, Why Aren’t Things Better?

"Who needs to go to Mars when we can re-green and re-nourish this planet" asks the author. "We need liberty and happiness for all, not indexes of GDP or stock markets . . . It’s about aligning the technical/intelligence capacity to meet the full needs of people and the planet.”

More from the People's Tribune