Interview202054 min640×360

David Handschuh oral history interview conducted by Laurel Gumpert, September 1, 2020

Gumpert, Laurel

History

At the Library of Congress

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About

On the morning of 9/11, David, a photojournalist, was on his way to teach a photojournalism class at NYU, when he heard that the WTC was hit by a plane. He followed the firefighters to the site and was standing in front of the South Tower when he heard a loud noise and realized that another plane had flown into the North Tower. He saw the fires, and the smoke, and heard the noises, but his brain couldn't register what was happening. David had never run from anything before, but he ran from the building at that moment. After the crash, he was hit by falling debris, he couldn't breathe from the dust in his lungs, and his leg was shattered. The firefighters were able to dig him out of the rubble and save his life. One of his coworkers was also there and took pictures of him being rescued, not knowing it was David. He was eventually taken to a hospital where he had surgery on his leg. David sees 9/11 as the day he was fortunate enough to have survived. The months after 9/11 consisted of healing for David, both mentally and physically. He knew several photographers who lost their lives during the disaster and even more who were recovering from it. The physical wounds were easy to see, but the emotional issues were more difficult. He is grateful for all the medical care he has received through the WTC Health Clinic, as they have made it easier for him to overcome physical and mental challenges. David believes that Americans need to be educated about the history that led up to…

Archive
Library of Congress, in Library of Congress
Licence or status
Rights statement at the Library of Congress, as the Library of Congress states it.
Credit
Library of Congress
Language
English
Country
United States
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