9/11 Stories: Liz Carvajal Lopez

Liz Carvajal was a born and bred New York City girl, who had just moved home from living in Boston. Watching the tv coverage on 9/11 all day long with her family, by evening she knew she had to help her beloved city. Having a background in social work, Liz thought she could help the loved ones who had gathered at hospitals, looking for their missing loved ones. She grabbed her old hospital id, some gloves, and a mask and drove down an eerily empty Long Island Expressway into the city.
Little did Liz know her decision to help on 9/11 would forever change her life, leading her to meet and marry the man she calls “the love of my life”. Still volunteering six months later, in March 2002, Carvajal met FDNY’er Alex Lopez. At first, they were just friends. Carvajal says for those working the recovery at Ground Zero, it was a city within a city, with people forming close bonds.
May 28th, the day the recovery officially closed, everyone exchanged phone numbers vowing to check in with each other. All were on edge, not knowing how they’d react to going back to their “normal” lives, especially after an emergency medical technician hanged himself, unable to live with what he had seen and experienced there. After periodically calling Liz for about six months, a recently separated Alex asked Liz for a date. She was wary of dating a recently single man but Alex convinced her, saying they knew each other so well, and after just the first date, they knew that was it.
They were blissfully married for ten years until Alex Lopez suffered a fatal heart attack in 2011. Although she cannot prove it, with heart attacks not officially recognized as a 9/11 illness, Liz is convinced the heart attack was the result of the jet fuel he was exposed to on 9/11. Alex Lopez was just 42 years old.
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[@anddyyxx]

Such a brave woman. Thank you for making the world a better place. I am so sorry for your loss. Never will we forget.

[@mk202]

Liz…you’re such a beautiful and special lady. Your heart shines on anything you wish. Don’t give up on yourself by ignoring your health. Alex would never want that for you. 😉💘

[@Michiganmegs]

Man I wasn't expecting to hear her husband passed. I could see how much she loved him by the way she was talking about him. I'm very sorry for your loss that's devastating.

[@jackkoba8053]

Please keep going for your check ups ,, please. Your husband would want your smile to live on

[@StayChillax]

Liz , for you to leave the house and go help is heroism. You are amazing. Thank you.

[@bobporch]

A very moving story of selflessness and service; starting on a day when goodness rose up to challenge evil. Sadly I recall when every level of government fought the fact that being at the site was causing lung disease. People like Liz responded the way they did because they felt it was the right thing to do. If only the politicians would do the same.

[@denisejaydub]

They need to update the numbers at how many people are lost because of this tragedy. You only ever hear 2k+ … but the number is way higher 💔

[@taffycat93]

No, they should not update the numbers. Those people who died on 9/11 are memorialized that way for a reason. 🙏❤️🙏❤️

[@carolebrunette]

@@taffycat93 I think there’s room for both. Cuz those who responded to rescue those who were trapped are sick and dying for that reason but don’t deserve that acknowledgment? Doesn’t add up.

[@juliamarin4896]

Thank you for sharing your 911 story, as well as your beautiful love story. I'm very sorry for your loss. I hope you're able to continue to foster hope, resiliance & love in your life.

[@balagan79985]

She is very real, very down to earth. So unfair- the incredible generosity and sacrifice. Also YES the incredible contrast between post 9/11 vs Covid. This is not something you get "over". You try to get through it. My condolences and respect to Mrs Carvajal Lopez.

[@megamillionfreak]

Communist China did Covid-19 on purpose.

[@mediii8057]

Poor thing I hope she gets treated. Heart breaks suck. But she’s so young don’t let yourself go yet. Your husband wouldn’t want that for you. I know he would want you to keep pushing.

[@sandraq2145]

So sorry for your loss . What an amazing story of love 💖 never ever forget 9/11

[@mortenle]

This is such a different story from 9/11. I want to hear more from these volunteers--I fear for their health too after listening to so many of these accounts. But thank you all for sharing these essential stories.

[@cherylstaples1790]

She is so beautiful and articulate. I'm so sorry she and her friends are losing these brave, amazing people to these awful health problems.

[@daisy2217]

You did a great service, God Bless you ❤️. I’m very sorry for the lost of the love of your life. I pray 🙏🏼 that you are well.

[@Arodnyc72]

Nothing is normal in life , please go to a doctor

[@survivormary1126]

Thank you so much for all of your caring and kindness. I for one will never forget.

[@ThanksChris]

Gosh, how many people have died of 9/11 diseases? Absolutely awful. We won’t forget. 😢

[@anamiriamrodriguezcruz3824]

What a beautiful soul. Went out of her way to help and volunteer. RIP to the love of her life. I pray God speed concerning Liz's health.

[@raquelarredondo1642]

Im so sorry for her loss! She is so real!

[@MissBe737]

Thank you for being so brave and helping on 911. God bless you!

[@nanoir28]

Thank you Shelli for being the conduit for all of these stories. I've been listening consistently for about a week. Watched almost every documentary. I watched a woman tell her story the other day and she said it's so easy for those that weren't there to say they'll never forget but We the survivors don't have a choice. That was a very poignant moment for me. I was unaware of the amount of health issues that had climaxed in the years after. That day still claims lives. It is absolutely devastating to not only hear these stories but realize that these first responders not only have to fight mentally with what they've witnessed but with ongoing health problems which some have led to an early death. I've never been much of a patriot of this country yet I found myself extremely proud of these Americans for standing in the face of death so the rest of us can continue on with "normal lives" So brave and honored to have listened with full attention to these heroic tales. True kinsmen❤

[@bulldog8489]

A great American !

[@excaliburjohndeere7657]

You make the world a better place. I lost the love of my life too. I live close to the Mississippi river. Close to Memphis Tennessee. Thanks for your story. Anything is possible!

[@danielonn2002]

Thank you for your help during one of the worst days in American histroy. God Bless you!

[@kaypowell407]

I am so sorry for her loss. Beautiful, sad romance

[@kellysmith7242]

Can I post a 911 story...I dont know anybody personally in the towers...btw I am in Chicago

[@sashalawrence4786]

Liz the way you cope us personal and don't be pressurised into acquiring information about yourself that only you will have to live with. I get why you don't feel ready for the answer ,and want to encourage the interviewer to respect your choice even if she doesn't understand it. We must pace ourselves when encountering the possibility of trauma. I felt the interviewer's good intentions but her tone was insensitive and appeared to insert her own anxiety

[@bobporch]

Perhaps the moderator's "anxiety" as you put it, is caused by the fact that more people who were at the site have died of exposure to toxins than the number killed outright on 9/11. And more are dying every week.

[@expertbyexperienceshared9903]

@@bobporch in aware of that. However I'm unsure about why you felt the need to raise that in response to my comment

[@kaypowell407]

@@expertbyexperienceshared9903 why not?

[@expertbyexperienceshared9903]

@@kaypowell407 I wasn't saying he shouldn't raise, it I was saying I didn't understand the connection between my comment and his response to it.

[@luvsilly60]

Serving good- love it.

[@marynelson7995]

❤️

[@WrestlingArt3]

She is pretty

[@poji222]

I always try to put myself in others shoes & I can't even imagine what everyone has gone thru!! I have friends in NYC, but I don't think I knew anyone in the WTC's .I am from / live in Buffalo NY & remember hearing about this on the news while getting ready for work. I heard alot of 9/11 stories & just breaks my heart & I hate that this has happened! Everyone grieves differently & if you lost someone you cared about, there is nothing wrong with " not forgetting". I am so sorry for your loss ♥️🗽🦬

[@loridontcaretotellu6497]

Liz, your story is obviously still so very painful -- as are the others I've listened to and read about. It really touched me that even though you could have stayed home and observed from a safe distance, you selflessly went to help with no thought for yourself. You're a hero too my dear! I feel like I know your heart in listening to your story. You love fiercely, you are "other" focused and have had your share of pain but somehow you have maintained your beautiful spirit! Don't lose that. I am so sorry you lost your brave hero husband, Alex and I know deep down YOU know, your purpose here isn't done, he would WANT you to live and love again! I feel there is a child in your future as well. One or several, I don't know. But please please go get that biopsy done? You losing your life unnecessarily will not bring anyone back AND, it will mean that additional others will hurt missing you. Maybe it was nothing, but let them biopsy to know one way or another. I know you are doing the best you can and you are amazing !.

[@happybunny8704]

You are an Angel beautiful inside and out, thank you for making us all aware of your selfless contribution God bless you but know your husband is still with you. 🙏 love from the UK…

[@leanneadams2549]

That awful morning she said her boyfriend called her. I wonder what happened to that boyfriend? Also, thank you so much for who and what you’ve done !!!! And my heart goes out to you so much !!! ❤️

[@qtgonewild]

THERES A SPECIAL PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR YOU LIZ.

[@Lisa1111]

Thank you 🙏🏽♥️