‘Miracle after the Marathon’

Layout 1Once again this month, I have worked with St. Anthony Messenger for photos to accompany the article “Miracle After the Marathon”, appearing in the April 2014 issue.

The article tells the story Karen Rand (now Karen McWatters) who was standing with her friend Krystle Campbell near the finish line of the Boston Marathon in 2013 when the bombs went off. Krystle was killed and Karen, though she survived, lost her leg.

The article tells the story of how, even as she was dealing with her own challenges, Karen was inspired to help a teenage girl from El Salvador, Estefanía Salinas, who lost her leg in a tragic auto accident.

 

Miracle-After-the-Marathon

Karen worked to bring Estefanía to Boston in late February for treatment and I am happy to report she took her first steps with her new prosthetic leg in March.

 

Mauricio Quiroga pushes Estefania Salinas in her wheelchair as she arrives at Logan International Airport Feb. 27, 2014.
Photo by Gregory L. Tracy
Boston Marathon Bombing survivor Karen Rand speaks with Estefania Salinas as she arrives at Logan International Airport Feb. 27, 2014.
Photo by Gregory L. Tracy

Estefania arrives at Logan Airport in February 2014

Boston Marathon Bombing survivor Karen Rand sits with Estefania Salinas as she waits for new prosthetic leg to be created at Next Step Bionics and Prosthetics in Newton, Mass. March 13, 2014.
Photo by Gregory L. Tracy
Estefania Salinas takes her first steps with her new prosthetic leg at Next Step Bionics and Prosthetics in Newton, Mass. March 13, 2014.
Photo by Donis I. Tracy

Estefania and Karen wait together as Estefania’s new prosthetic is readied March 13, 2014 / She takes he first steps