Heather Abbott Biography

On April 15 2013 what is referred to as Marathon Monday in Boston Heather Abbott of Newport RI set out on an annual tradition with six friends. They would attend the Red Sox game followed by a walk over to the Boston Marathon finish line to watch the runners and gather at the Forum restaurant. However Abbott would never have dreamed this day would change her life forever.
Abbott was struck by shrapnel from the second of the two bombs that day which severely injured her left foot. Strangers Matt Chatham former New England Patriots lineman and his wife Erin carried Abbott to safety away from the direction of the bombs and saw her to an ambulance that brought her to Brigham and Women’s hospital.
After 3 surgeries in 4 days Abbott was faced with the agonizing decision of whether to try to save her left foot or to allow doctors to amputate her left leg below the knee. With the help of other amputees and the support from hundreds of thousands around the country Abbott made the difficult decision at the age of 38 to live her remaining years as an amputee and use prosthetic legs.
Her recovery as it is for so many other victims of traumatic injury was a journey through pain anger fear disbelief self-doubt and questioning. For Heather the ability to move forward came through the support of family and friends fellow amputees and the countless strangers who not only sent her cards and letters of encouragement – but who also generously donated to a special fund to help her transition and receive the customized prostheses she needed to live the life she once knew.

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