Many of those who lost legs on marathon day have been fitted for the heavy-duty prosthetics they call their everyday legs. Running is easier with the carbon-fiber blades—the “cheetah legs” made familiar by Olympian Oscar Pistorius—but insurance often doesn't cover them.
The Knights of Columbus, which previously provided prosthetics for victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, have helped marathon victims get running legs or other prosthetics that help them regain a normal life.
“We can't let evil have the last word,” Knights of Columbus spokesman Andrew Walther said, “and that's why we focused on this group.”
For Heather Abbott, who had her left leg amputated after the marathon explosions, that means four prosthetics: The everyday leg, a waterproof one for swimming, another that allows her to wear high heels, and the running leg she received Saturday.
“I'm trying to do all the things I used to do,” Abbott said.
Ossur, the prosthetic-maker, donated the blade that serves as Abbott's new left foot. Next Step Bionics and Prosthetics took care of the rest of the prosthetics. The Challenged Athletes Foundation helps with training, with clinics like the one at Harvard on Sunday.
Abbott stopped midway through the clinic to take off her prosthetic and check for blisters; everything was clear. Putting the leg back on involves a sleeve and a sock and a release valve and some lubricant.
Losing a leg is a self-evident setback, and while it's easy to see the damage to the limb it's not always obvious what other problems might come with it. For Roseann Sdoia, who has spent much of the time since Marathon Monday on one crutch or a cane, it can be anything that she needs two hands for, like taking laundry out of the dryer or making a bed.
Sdoia, who lost her right leg above the knee, said her most recent problem was the emergence of blisters on her leg where it has been rubbing against the socket of her prosthetic. The sores prevented her from getting a running leg this week and left her little to do on Sunday other than sit and watch the clinic, crutches at her side.
“Today was going to be the day,” she said. “I was excited to get it, because even if I only took two steps today, I'd take three steps tomorrow.
“But now,” she said, “I'm back to Square 1, waiting.”
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