By Patrick Hruby
The Washington Post
Many first responders are experiencing alarming cognitive decline. Is their time at Ground Zero to blame? More than a decade after the twin towers fell, Ron Kirchner began forgetting things. Buckling his belt. Closing his car door. Once, while visiting a preschool class on the 13th anniversary of 9/11, he even neglected to wear his customary necktie and New York City Fire Department hat. “He was in a panic,” say his wife, Dawn. “He used to like to bring the kids something, like coloring books. And he couldn’t find anything.
”This was unlike Ron, who had always been devoted and dutiful….
