Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/11/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Nov 20, 2010, at 9:07 AM, <tedgrant at shaw.ca> wrote: > 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! yes Ted, me as well, so moved here.... Steve > > Dr. ted. :-( > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information