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

The Economy: ‘It’s the Best of Times, it’s the Worst of Times’ 

What's going on with the economy? Why is it that the stock market overall has been booming in recent months, while jobs are dwindling and many of the jobs that are available don't pay enough to live on?

Israel Has Buried Gaza in Rubble, But Our Love for the Land Will Always Survive

In this piece originally published at Truthout, Hend Salama Abo Helow, a researcher, writer and medical student at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, speaks about the deep connection of Palestinians to the land.

Nurses Forge Alliances to Protect Patients from Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

Nurses care about their patients and want to help them in every way; so they are organizing, building national networks for patients’ rights, fighting to abolish Ice, for healthcare, not warfare—all as an extension of their caring for all patients.

We Can Stop the War Against the Iranian People

Trump has pledged to keep committing war crimes in the US-Israeli war of aggression against the Iranian people, but the majority of Americans are better than this and are rallying themselves to stop the war.

‘They Tricked Me’: Father Chained After Going to ICE to Reunite With His Kids

The Trump administration is using migrant children held in federal custody to lure in their parents so ICE can arrest them, whether or not they have a criminal record.

More from the People's Tribune