COVER STORY By Christine Umbrell
Practitioners treating Amputees From the Boston Marathon bombing share their stories of hope
T
he April 21 Boston Marathon bombing tragedy will be remembered by all as a horrific terrorist event that changed nearly 300 lives forever, but the response by Americans—as well as AOPA and the O&P community—has demonstrated the cooperative and generous spirit of our nation. Though three spectators died—and another 264 were wounded—as a result of two pressure cooker bombs that detonated near the finish line of the marathon, the rapid response in terms of both medical care and monetary donations is evidence of the commitment of many to help the injured recover. For the 16 spectators who became amputees that day, their healing process is still in its initial stages. But with the support of a country, and the use of prosthetic devices, they are learning how to return to their activities of daily living in the hopes they can find their new normal.
Overwhelming demonstrations of support began in the moments right after the bombs went off, as strangers stepped in to administer basic first aid to those spectators most severely wounded. “These patients got life-saving resuscitation and tourniquets immediately, and some patients arrived at Massachusetts General Hospital within 23 minutes of the bombing,” recalls David Crandell, MD, inpatient medical director of the amputee and musculoskeletal programs at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital—the medical facility where most of the amputee patients were released once their hospital stays were complete. And strong displays of support have continued throughout the rehabilitation process. “The nation has been great,” says Crandell. “People showed up with an outpouring of donations and support, which has been very meaningful. And many people have volunteered their time.”
JULY 2013 O&P Almanac
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Photo: Marcio Jose Bastos Silva / Shutterstock.com
A Nation Responds