You may not immediately recognize Heather Abbott's name, but you know the impetus of her story.
On April 15, 2013 - Marathon Monday in Boston - the 38-year-old set out on an annual tradition with several of her friends. They would attend the Red Sox home game and then walk over to Boylston Street to watch the marathoners cross the finish line, just as they had always done in previous years.
But this time would be different. This day would change her life.
Two bombs exploded in the crowd of well-wishers that afternoon. Standing in line at the door of a restaurant, Abbott and two of her friends heard the first bomb explode. In the resulting confusion and terror, there was hardly time to think before the second blast literally blew Abbott into the restaurant entrance.
Screaming and running for the rear exit, patrons rushed through the restaurant. Abbott tried to follow, but her foot felt on fire and she couldn't get up from the floor. Former New England Patriots lineman Matt Chatham and his wife, Erin, saw Abbott in the bloody aftermath and carried her to safety.
After three surgeries in four days, Abbott was faced with an agonizing decision: live forever with the excruciating pain from her injuries or allow doctors to amputate her left leg below the knee. With the counsel and comfort of amputees who came to visit her in the hospital, and after much soul-searching, Abbott made the difficult decision to live as an amputee.
If you go
› What: Possibilities: Siskin Hospital Celebrates Life After Disability Luncheon, featuring Boston Marathon bombing survivor Heather Abbott› When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, March 3› Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza› Admission: $75 (sponsor tables of eight also available)› Reserve tickets: Donna Deweese at 423-634-1208, ddeweese@siskinrehab.org, www.SiskinRehab.org
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 Abbott, 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.
Today, Abbott is once again doing everything she loves to do, including paddleboarding, running and even wearing high heels.
She will tell her story of survival on Tuesday, March 3, as the keynote speaker for Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation's 17th annual Possibilities Luncheon. The event, scheduled 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center, is the hospital's only communitywide event to raise money for patients who lack adequate insurance to cover the cost of their care.
The event also will offer a video salute recognizing the remarkable story of recovery of former patient Steven Hawkins, whose first ride on a new birthday motorcycle ended in a horrific accident. Hawkins sustained life-threatening injuries that included multiple fractures, including a spinal cord injury that multiple doctors believed would render the 33-year-old father of two unable to walk again. He came to Siskin Hospital "hopeless, despondent and unresponsive to therapy," according to hospital officials.
He'd nearly given up his dream of walking again when a compassionate nurse suggested a visit with a former patient with a similar injury who had found life to be full of possibilities after disability. That was the push Hawkins needed. From that point forward, he had new hope and energy and his progress was rapid and sustained. Today, he's "back on his feet and enjoying his children," according to the hospital.
Tickets are available at https://www.siskinrehab.org/support-us/possibilities-luncheon or by calling 423-634-1208.