Veterans from Semper Fi inspire Boston bomb survivors

Bombing Victims Start Rehab, Meet Amputee Veterans
Bloomberg News
By Shannon Pettypiece and Drew Armstrong
April 22, 2013

Patients who lost limbs in the Boston Marathon bombings started using walkers to move around Boston Medical Center, met with amputee veterans and began to prepare for prosthetic legs.

The hospital treated 23 patients following the explosions, five of whom have undergone amputations involving multiple surgeries, said Jeffrey Kalish, Boston Medical’s director of endovascular surgery at a press conference today. About half remain at the center, including one in critical condition, said Peter Burke, chief of trauma services.

Boston Medical was one of five trauma centers that handled the worst cases following the blasts, which killed three people and injured more than 175 as nails, pellets, wood and other debris exploded from two bombs. The physical and emotional recovery may take many more months though doctors said they are encouraged by the early progress.

“We have definitely seen every range of emotion this past week,” Kalish said. “For us, we have seen amazing improvements, really great attitudes. We’ve had veterans come in with amputations that have walked through the halls and shown these patients their life isn’t over.”

Soldiers from the Semper Fi Fund, a veterans group for injured military personnel, came to Boston to meet with about a dozen patients and their families at four different hospitals. They told them about the importance of getting active as soon as possible and setting goals to aim for. The group said they plan to be back at the end of the week.

The Semper Fi Fund has raised $74 million over the last decade, and has now set up a Boston Marathon fund for those hurt in the blast. The group helps modify the environment of the injured to help them stay mobile and active, as well as providing support in getting prosthetics and services. They also have a team of athletes, including B.J. Ganem, 36, a Marine veteran who lost one of his legs in Iraq in 2004.
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