Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/11/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ken Carney offered:: > I have read many books on the Chernobyl incident, but this photo essay is > outstanding IMHO. I was invited to be part of a trade delegation to Kiev > about a month after the explosion, but I begged off. The images may be > disturbing to many. It is impossible to think how this would be > multiplied, even in the case of a "limited" nuclear attack or exchange. > http://todayspictures.slate.com/inmotion/essay_chernobyl/ <<< Hi Ken, I was invited to Russia in 1992 to produce a documentary on their medical profession similar as seen in my book "Doctor's Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler" on Canadian, and USA medical professionals. While there a request to do something on the Chernobyl disaster. Surviving children of the day and from the explosion. In 60 years as a photojournalist I've never been so emotionally stressed out photographing children, no where near as bad as we see in the Magnum series. Never the less incredible. The killer for me was while in a St. Petersburg hospital with a great number of children. While doing rounds with one of the doctor's she told me, "we would be with children whom she knew would never make it, period! Not a hope!" That was bad enough to set me off because at home my grandchildren were of similar ages as many there. In a simple clean little room we entered to see a boy, maybe 6 or 7 yrs, eyes closed lying on his bed. She sat down took his hand in hers, checking pulse. Then in a very gentle soft quiet voice she began to sing a Russian lullaby. There was no response from the child and I snapped away a few frames. Then she stopped, a glance at me, then reached for the blanket and pulled it over the boy. He had succumbed to his illness while I was snapping away and she was singing/humming her lullaby! I couldn't hold it back and began to cry stepping out of the room. She finished her duties. Then comforted me in the hall putting her arm about my shoulder Even writing this, creates emotional feelings beyond anything I've ever experienced in my career. Wars, destroyed body parts and many other horrible situations! Never again! Dr. ted. :-(