Title: 9/11 widow describes experience working with Sen. Kennedy

" Massachusetts senator Edward Kennedy's battle with brain cancer has forced him to take behind the scenes role in the push for health care reform. For years he has worked on issues quietly sometimes privately but with a relentless drive to get things done. Consider the experience of nine elevenths widow who met the senator through phone call Alison King has our coverage store."

" My phone rang. And that's booming voice came over the phone and it lists. -- senator Cindy McGinty is reflecting back on the day after September 11 2001. At Foxborough Massachusetts mother of two young boys was still in shock over the news her husband Michael 42 year old insurance executive was on the ninety ninth floor of the world trade center's north tower when the first plane hit. She was now all widow and her sons aged seven and eight would be growing up without the father they adored. Amidst the chaos and grief of that day a phone call came in tape from Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. And my first -- like just -- nano second was which one of my sick friends. If playing a practical joke on me but that voice is just so. The thing. And I realized it was the senator within 24 hours of the attack Senator Kennedy had identified -- called almost every Massachusetts family who has lost a loved one in the attack expressing his condolences and asking how we could help. How how are both phone calls must've been to make because he didn't know any of us. And it and when he got it. I am sure because of his own past history but. The nice gesture with a kind gesture for those who have followed Kennedy's career in the phone calls are not a surprise. Kennedy is legendary for the personal touch he's shown to his constituents -- Years most of it done under the radar screen far from the cameras. On September 12 eight years ago Cindy McGinty felt grateful for that phone call from Senator Kennedy. But she had no idea just how sincere he had been about his offer to help. And it wasn't long before she needed it. Make -- husband a Naval Academy graduate had served in the military and Cindy wanted to honor guard at his memorial service. But she couldn't find the specific discharge papers that need he said we're required."

" The -- evil want to talk to me they relate nope sorry campaigns so I thought well the senator set a fine needed anything and I called the soft that's. And in less then a day they called back and said we've got the special paper it's -- doubt he'll be undercard there."

" About a month after September. The reality of Mickey -- unlikely in the saddle and two young boys for having serious problems with anxiety and anger. She was trying to juggle the numerous doctors appointments new medications and issues at school. And there was a mountain of paperwork bailout for insurance companies and the US government. McGinty was feeling depressed and overwhelmed. And then a letter came from Ted Kennedy's office. He was putting together a meeting in Boston including all of the various agencies the 9/11 families might need and I got this letter and I spot. He can help me McGinty says she sat through the event where representatives got up to explain how they were helping the families. -- Senator Kennedy was getting ready to leave McEntee says she raised her hand."

" And I stood up and says my name's Cindy McCain -- and I just have to say I can barely get out of bed in the morning and I have a sudden an eight year old. Boys and and totally traumatized -- and I can barely put one foot -- the other and you know we will all say you're helping us but you're -- you're getting an -- day. And with -- a bunch people started to clap. And everybody was I guess in the same boat as -- was."

" It's McCain says Senator Kennedy listened carefully thanked her and promised to take action apparently after the meeting. He got in the car and told a couple of his -- and don't ever want to hear that this is McGinty or any of the people in this room ever have. Another problem like that. Expects. And fix it facts it wasn't long before every single 9/11 Bentley in Massachusetts was assigned an advocate. McGinty says the advocate would do as much or as little as any family wanted. And Kennedy's office was always watching and he broke through all of the red tape. If you won't hit. It do you want that. Hope yet and I needed it and to this day. That's what helped my family. In the months and years that followed -- advocate -- phone calls filled out paperwork and provided respite care. She says the advocate was a lifesaver. Take Senator Kennedy out. Of that whole recovery Macs there's no Kennedy office. There's -- senator. I think I would be hospitalized and begin disconnection with the senator did not end there. About a year after 9/11 one of Mickey -- boys was still experiencing problems and my phone rang again and I heard hi it's Ted Kennedy from Washington I don't even know how he found out. That you were having problems with the sun not. And Mary -- again my guardian Angel. And these are the best factors hears about hospital how kind and helpful to. McGinty believes Kennedy's ability to work with the nine elevenths families as well as the families who have lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Is based on his own life experiences. Losing two Brothers two assassinations. And his oldest brother in World War II. Not to mention a lifetime of ups and downs and has played out on the national stage here is a man who has experience. So much tragedy in his life. So much adversity in his life. And does so much good for other people and I look at him and I think if they'll let us. I can certainly get out of bed in the morning and do something good for somebody else today. Not here is gone by the McGinty hasn't heard from Kennedy. There was the year he called and invited her to come sailing just Kennedy McGinty and her two boys. The only business discussed that day what the needs still work for 9/11 families. It was when Kerry was running for president. And I found out later that he had a meeting with -- later on in the day but you wouldn't have the audience thing to do that day. Kennedy has become someone McGinty can always depend on so it was devastating when she learned the senator was diagnosed with brain cancer. My first feeling was that it had punched in the stomach my second feeling was cancer does not know what -- as -- I don't believe that's how I felt in McGinty knows the senator is a controversial figure nationwide that is like has been far from perfect for. For she has experienced his compassion and his commitment to getting things done. And she had a chance to see him today what would you want to say to them. Oh god I love you I admire you your my guardian Angel. I hope to be the person you bar after years of benefiting from the senator's help McGinty only hopes her positive wishes can help him. Alison King NE CN."