Survivor finds her ‘new normal’ after 9/11
Her story is one of resilience, courageous and nothing short of inspiring — it is by every definition, as her New York Times bestseller states on its cover, a story of “Unmeasured Strength.” Just months ago, Lauren Manning stood before the Democratic National Convention. Her path there, however, was not an easy one.
Manning was one of the most severely injured survivors on 9/11. More than 82 percent of her body was burned. On that day, she believed she would die but found the strength to hold on.
“For that day the most poignant thing that I will come away with is being in flames and this interminable, incalculable pain and looking upward screaming to my son, I won’t leave you. No, I can’t leave you now. I haven’t had you long enough,” recalled Manning
Manning was newly married at the time, for about a year to her husband Greg. The two had a beautiful son Tyler, who was only 10 months old when the U.S. was attacked that 2001 day.
Their son witnessed it all — from Lauren’s infections, lung collapses, amputations and every step of her physical therapy and recovery. Much of this was even chronicled by Greg Manning through emails he wrote to friends, family and supporters all over the world.
Those emails even chronicled and published in a book entitled “Love, Greg and Lauren.”
As the country commemorates 25 years since 9/11 — since this country lost 2,996 innocent souls — Lauren Manning, along with her husband will be where they always are on 9/11, with her Cantor Fitzgerald family, remembering the colleagues and friends they lost.
Never, for a moment, Manning says, has she forgotten the power of her survival.
After all, with permanent scars and constant pain across her body, she can’t:
“I am doing as well as can be expected. I am happy I open my eyes every day and take that breath and can get out of bed. I aimed to blow out any stat that said I couldn’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t or wouldn’t and I defined myself by what I wanted. I look down and say I’m actually able to do this. I feel like the richest woman in the world,” said Manning with a smile across her face.
Lauren is a managing director and partner at Cantor Fitzgerald. Her firm fills floors 101 to 105 high above her.
Moments earlier, American Airlines Flight 11 tore into floors 93 to 99.
Burning jet fuel pours down the elevator shafts. It explodes into the lobby.
The flames catch her back and arms.
She does not wait.
She runs.
Still on fire, she crosses all six lanes of West Street. She reaches a strip of grass. Two strangers help her drop and roll until the flames go out.
She is in terrible pain. But her mind is clear. She shouts: “Get me to Weill Cornell, now!”
She knows the city’s best burn center is there.
But she is first taken to another hospital. It has no special burn unit.
That night. Ten hours later.
Lauren is moved across a locked-down city to the burn center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell.
Seventeen other survivors fill the intensive care unit that night. Many will not live.
The doctors see the damage.
Burns cover 82.5 percent of her body. Her lungs are badly hurt.
She needs a machine to breathe. Her chance of dying is put at 90 to 95 percent.
Across town, her husband Greg is frantic. At home is their son, Tyler. He is just 10 months old.
Here’s what makes it worse:
Lauren’s company is gone. Of the people she works beside every day, 658 are killed.
Friends. Partners. Faces she has known for years.
Lauren has made it out. But her fight is only beginning.
Doctors put her into a deep sleep. She stays under for almost two months.
The team, led by Dr. Roger Yurt, performs 11 major surgeries. Each one holds several procedures.
They use donor skin. They take what healthy skin she has left, stretch it, and graft it piece by piece.
She battles severe infection. She loses parts of some fingers. Some joints must be fused.
Greg stays close. He talks to her. He reads her poems. He plays her songs.
September 19, 2001.
Eight days after the attack, Greg sends an email to 30 of Lauren’s friends. It is a simple update.
Then he keeps writing. Day after day.
The emails spread. Soon, about 100 messages a day pour in, many from strangers.
Late October. Lauren wakes up. She believes she will go home by the end of the week.
She has no idea how hurt she is.
Doctors explain. There is no release date. There may be months ahead.
Therapists have been moving her arms and legs for weeks. Now she must work with them.
November 12, 2001.
The goal for the day is a chair. It sits about 4 feet from her bed.
Lauren thinks it will be easy. It is not.
She cannot sit up alone. Her grafted legs hold weight for the first time in two months. The pain nearly knocks her out.
But with help, she drags her legs to that chair.
She is crying.
She later jokes that she looked like a walking mummy.
Three days later.
She stands again. This time she aims for the nurses’ station, 30 feet away.
Step by step, she gets there.
Doctors, nurses, and therapists crowd around. One therapist runs into the hallway. She tells Lauren’s waiting parents that their daughter is walking.
The walls of that hallway are covered with cards from strangers all over the world.
Everyone is clapping. Everyone is crying.
But one fear still haunts her.
Will her son know her?
Tyler is kept away for 67 days. The risk of infection is too high.
At that time, he turned 1. He learns to walk. He grows into a toddler she has never seen.
On the day of the visit, he walks right past her.
He does not know his mother.
Lauren’s breathing tube has just been removed. Her voice is weak. But she sings him the little lullaby that used to calm him.
Tyler stops. He turns. He smiles at her.
Lauren later says everything she fought for lived in that one moment.
December 2001.
After 91 days, she leaves the burn center. She spends three more months in a rehab hospital.
March 2002.
Lauren goes home.
Recovery does not end there. For years, she returned to the hospital five days a week for therapy.
In the early years, she had an operation about every 9 weeks.
The same month she comes home, Greg’s emails become a best-selling book. Its title is Love, Greg & Lauren.
2009. Lauren becomes a mother again. Her second son, Jagger, is born with the help of a gestational carrier.
September 2011.
After Burn Injuries, Sept. 11 Survivor Shows ‘Strength’ : NPR
On the 10th anniversary, she published her own memoir, Unmeasured Strength.
A survivor’s awe-inspiring story of how she overcame tragedy and re-created herself as a wife, mother, and woman.
She was a hardworking business woman, had a loving husband and an infant son, and a confidence born of intelligence and beauty. But on 9/11, good fortune was no match for catastrophe. When a wall of flame at the World Trade Center burned more than 80 percent of her body, Lauren Manning began a ten-year journey of survival and rebirth that tested her almost beyond human endurance.
Long before that infamous September day, Manning learned the importance of perseverance, relentless hard work, and a deep faith in oneself. So when the horrific moment of her near-death arrived, she possessed the strength and resilience to insist that she would not yield–not to the terrorists, not to the long odds, not to the bottomless pain and exhaustion.
But as the difficult months and years went by, she came to understand that she had to do more than survive. She needed to undergo a complete transformation, one that would allow her to embrace her life and her loved ones in an entirely new way.
Fleeing the burning tower, Manning promised herself that she would see her son’s face again. Courageous and inspiring, Unmeasured Strength tells the riveting story of her heroic effort to make that miracle–and so many others–possible.
“Unmeasured Strength is a gripping tale of [Lauren Manning’s] long fight back from a devastating injury that easily could have killed her… She has valuable lessons to impart about the personal challenges of overcoming physical and emotional adversity.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Intense, humbling, Manning’s story is, above all, amazing.” —Parade
“With the steadfast love of her husband, Greg… and her own unwavering focus, Manning’s inspiring memoir records an extraordinary path of resilience and willpower.” —Vogue
“All the emotion in her voice that’s necessary shines through as she reads…Because of the way Lauren tells her story, even those who might normally be squeamish about hearing someone tell about medical procedures shouldn’t worry. She speaks of her lengthy return to health tactfully and with grace, and I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone.” —Bookloons
“You are brave and courageous and a hero to all of us.” —Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator from New York, 2001
“Your essence defines what it means to be a survivor.” —Oprah
“This is a very inspiring book.” —Barbara Walters, The View
“I have found my new hero. Her name is Lauren Manning…Her determination is awe inspiring. She is the most remarkable woman I think I’ve ever met.” —Katie Couric
“One of the most extraordinary books I’ve read in a long time. I recommend everyone to go and read this, because it’s a tale of inspiration and courage.” —Piers Morgan, CNN
“It’s a powerful book … There are so many 9/11 remembrances and so many 9/11 stories as we commemorate, celebrate, this tenth anniversary, but this one is the one that everybody’s talking about.” —Tavis Smiley, PBS
“Unmeasured Strength is an extraordinary book. It is heartbreaking and shocking, compassionate and uplifting. It is a testament to determination and to love. Manning shows that life has things worth fighting for, if you have the clarity to see them and to fight unwaveringly until the end.” —BookReporter.com
“[An] uplifting story of courage, love and compassion… With honesty and simplicity, Manning details her miraculous escapes first from the crippled North Tower; then from limb amputation; and then from death, which stalked her relentlessly for three months. … Ten years later, her life has returned to ‘normality’ thanks to the unstinting love shown to her by family, friends and strangers.” —Kirkus
“Your message of hard work and faith would resonate in the day to day difficulties that we all face … Lauren, your grace and courage are an inspiration.” –Marla Lerner Tanenbaum Principal Owner, Washington Nationals Chairperson, Washington Nationals Dream Foundation
“Unmeasured Strength is both an enduring story about the resilience of character and an ode to the human determination to defeat evil. Lauren Manning did what the mighty Greek Sisyphus could never do: push the boulder to the top of the hill and never let it roll down. She has written a brilliantly vivid, wholly empowering tour de force that makes the impossible seem possible; her inspiring example just may teach us how to reverse our fates.” —Lucinda Franks, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, author of My Father’s Secret War
“An extraordinary story of the spirit’s triumph over pain and the body’s will to stay in this world despite being literally burned alive in the fires of the Twin Towers…This is a message of hope that we can all be grateful to share.” —Vartan Gregorian, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York
One of her doctors, Dr. Palmer Bessey, later puts it plainly. The team kept her body alive.
Lauren is the one who got her life back. Lauren never forgets the 658.
She says they did not get the chance to fight that she got.
She calls it a gift.
Her lesson is simple. Every day, she says, you have a choice.
She chose to make hers count. Lauren Manning – Wikiquote
#SurvivorStory#InspiringStories#NeverGiveUp#HumanStrength#September11#viralpost
References
9/11 Books to Read on the 20th AnniversaryLauren Manning – Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia
Unmeasured Strength: A Story of Survival and… by Lauren Manning · Audiobook preview
After Burn Injuries, Sept. 11 Survivor Shows ‘Strength’ : NPR
“I Made a Decision to Live” | Mount Sinai – New York
Kate Vogel Nittolo
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Her story is nothing less than miraculous. The early days when she was in the fight of her life for survival and then recovery, her husband published the emails he had written to their family and friends chronicling the journey. The book is, “Love, Greg and Lauren.” What an amazing story!
Love, Greg & Lauren
by Greg Manning (Author) Format: Hardcover
Love, Greg & Lauren: Manning, Greg: Amazon.com: Books
Early on the morning of September 11, 2001, Lauren Manning-a wife, the mother of a ten-month-old son, and a senior vice president and partner at Cantor Fitzgerald-came to work, as always, at One World Trade Center. As she stepped into the lobby, a fireball exploded from the elevator shaft, and in that split second her life was changed forever. Lauren was burned over 82.5 percent of her body.
As he watched his wife lie in a drug-induced coma in the ICU of the Burn Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Greg Manning began writing a daily journal. In the form of emails to family, friends, and colleagues, he recorded Lauren’s harrowing struggle-and his own tormented efforts to make sense of an act that defies all understanding. This book is an email with detailed, intimate, inspiring messages that end, always, as if a prayer for a happy LOVE, GREG & LAUREN
We share this story day by astonishing day. Greg writes of the intricate surgeries, the painful therapies, and the constant risk of infection Lauren endured. Through his eyes we come to know the doctors, nurses, aides, and therapists who cared for her around the clock with untiring devotion and sensitivity. We also come to know the families with whom he shared wrenching hospital vigils for their own loved ones who were waging a battle that some would not win.
It was, most of all, Greg’s belief that Lauren would win her brave fight for life that kept him writing. 
Through his eyes we see what she could not-their toddler’s first steps, the video of his first birthday party, the compassionate messages of hope from around the world. And we are there as Lauren gradually emerges into awareness, signaling first with her eyes, then with smiles, her understanding of the words Greg speaks to her, the poems he recites, the songs he plays.
Most miraculously, we are there when Lauren walks out of the Burn Center. The world knows all too well both the nightmare and the heroism that have marked this terrible time in history. But no account of September 11 matches the astonishing personal story Greg Manning records in these spontaneous and heartfelt pages.
It is a story that invites us to share, email after e-mail, the perilous course of a mortally wounded woman who by sheer will and courage emerges from near death because she is determined to live for her husband and her son. And it is equally the story of a man who, as he stays by her side through these long weeks and months, discovers a new depth of his love and admiration for the woman who becomes his hero. Bing Videos
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Patricia Moran Alvarez
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Kate Vogel Nittolo , amazing…can’t believe what she had to endure..followed her story from beginning ….
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Karen Hinkes Levine
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The fact that she was late for work saved her life. She was not in the office
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Paul Quin
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THE WILL TO LIVE WAS EVER PRESENT!!!
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Victoria Clayton
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Her book is truly a story of never giving up and fighting until the very end….when she walked out of the hospital. I couldn’t put it down.
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Bonny Sidhu
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Beyond amazing. Her steadfast desire to survive and live when most would have given up speaks volumes of her fierce determination and inner strength. Hope she has a great life ahead
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Marianna McCown
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A powerful symbol of resilience and a gift to all that may have lost their way in such a short time. She has s bit there to judge. She is only there to help those who sacrificed their independence. In my mind’s eye the whole truth is she does not deserve any entity to be overshadowed by a lesser than ..
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Patricia Patuto
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What an uplifting story!! We don’t hear a lot of survival stories. You are amazing. Your husband and son must be so grateful. God gave you another chance at life 
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Maureen Routledge
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Such a remarkable woman, an inspiration. She had a tremendous will to live, even through this horrific time for her. .
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Ann Cicatelli Corbo
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I can’t imagine the pain she had to endure! The fight to live!
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Arlene Metrione
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Such an inspiration who not only has a beautiful smile but a faithful soul that must inspire others and her story be told in our history books, lest we forget.
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Joan Ontell
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I think she hasn’t been to the office yet and was in the lobby that day
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Keely Smith
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Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of courage. Never forget.
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Garilynn Cuchapin
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This story made me cry. I’m glad everything worked out for you and your family.
Some good news came out from this 9/11 sadness. 
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Gloria Rosati-Culver
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Blessings to Lauren and all she went through! 
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Mary Beth Babecki Cassarini
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What an amazing woman!
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Debbie Fischer Weltmann
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Warrior!!!!!
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Samantha Kostelecky
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What an incredibly strong woman. 
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Maureen Placa
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I have followed Lauren’s story ever since she first appeared on the Today Show.
Lauren Manning on the Today Show. – Search
Such a remarkable woman! God bless her and her beautiful family.
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Julie Bump-Jacobson
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I have thought of her often over these years! I’m so relieved to hear this news! I look forward to reading this book!
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Barbara Levine
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Incredible strength! 
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Elsie Rodriguez-Rizzuto
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Amen & Amen… continued healing and blessings over her and family… 
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Mary Monica Callahan
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Brave woman forever changed along with her family. An inspiration….
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Sherry Yenser
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This young lady deserves a medal for courage, strength and determination. God Bless You.
What you endured is an ordeal no one should have to go through. I wish you the best in whatever you endeavor.
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Rita Walker
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What an incredible story. God bless you
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Patricia DeMelio Easterday
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You are incredible!!
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Shelley Becker
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What an inspiring story of resilience, love and strength. She resembles Marla Maples..so lovely and beautiful.
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Rainey Foster
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God bless you , Lauren and your remarkable family. You are the “win” this Country needs.
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Cindy Patterson
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Such an inspiration!
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Mary Kay Harris
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What an amazing and inspiring story! What a brave and courageous woman.
Her husband is very faithful and courageous, as well.
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Karen Rees
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I read her memoir. She’s a Warrior! Tough as nails!
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Beth McCrink
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What an amazing champion from a day of nightmares. She is inspiring! May her friends rest in peace 
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Erin Mcquade
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just got her book. yesterday. She has such strength. sending her prayers
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Chris Brown
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What an incredible woman Lauren is!
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Rain Heff
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Amazing story of survival God bless her.
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Terry Southworth
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Never forget
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Norma Navarro Aurigemma
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Amazing strength & endurance.
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Lisa Kritz Sanders
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I have no words ! Wishing you a life filled with amazing new experiences.
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Judy Gentry
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Wow! What a story of survival
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Charlotte Craver
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Mary Ashleigh Yacenda. A must read!
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Linda DeVito
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Prayers you and your family will continue to heal
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Marilyn Greene
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Blessings to you and your husband that stood by you…
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Carol Pfaelzer
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Good bless her and her family and her caring doctors and nurses and therapists!!!!!!
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Janice Leonardo Kump
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Her book is amazing!!!!
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