Boston Amputee Victims Inspired by Marines

[Reba]

Boston double amputee, daughter hospitalized together

BOSTON -- Celeste Corcoran, 47, of Lowell, Mass., lost both her legs in the marathon explosions.

Her daughter Sydney, a 17-year-old high school senior, was also wounded, hit with shrapnel.

The two were staying in the same room at Boston Medical Center on Sunday, tended by Celeste’s husband, Kevin Corcoran, 48, a truck driver so stoic that he wouldn’t admit he, too, had been injured in the bombing. Lacerations on his legs went unattended for two days as he helped his family.

On Sunday, with the help of a walker, Sydney took her first steps since the blast, according to her uncle Timothy Corcoran, 46, of Warwick, R.I. (A photo of her standing here is posted on a website the family has set up.)

“They had a good day today,” Tim Corcoran told the Los Angeles Times. “Celeste was encouraged.”

In part, that encouragement stemmed from a visit by injured Marines, a visit filmed and posted on YouTube.

“I can’t do anything right now,” Celeste Corcoran, whose legs were amputated below the knee, told one of the Marines from her hospital bed as Sydney looked on from hers.

“Right now, yes. But I’m telling you right now you are going to be more independent,” he said.

By the end of the visit, both women were laughing and holding hands between beds as Celeste Corcoran told a joke.

“Running’s never been my thing because I always get the most horrible shin splints,” she said. “So I was like, hey, I don’t even have shins anymore -- I’m not going to get any shin splints!”

The pair also got a visit from the actor Bradley Cooper, and an invitation to the Red Sox dugout Sunday for Celeste’s son Tyler Corcoran, 20. And they learned the identity of a good Samaritan who comforted Sydney after the bombing: Matt Smith, a Boston-area resident who visited the pair and received a warm welcome, Tim Corcoran said.

“He came down to the hospital and surprised us,” Corcoran said. “He’s family now.”

But there were also further difficulties.

Kevin Corcoran’s mother, who flew up from Florida the day after the bombing to help, suffered a mild heart attack and had to be admitted to the hospital. She has since been released.

Both Celeste and Sydney underwent surgeries as recently as Saturday. They each face challenging rehabilitation: Celeste as a double amputee and Sydney as a victim not just of the blast, but of a car crash two years ago that she narrowly survived with a fractured skull.

“We almost lost her a few years ago, and now we’ve been dealt these cards,” Tim Corcoran said, adding that his niece “has an unbelievable spirit of resiliency.”

Friends created an online fundraiser to help the family Celeste & Sydney Recovery Fund by Alyssa Carter - GoFundMe and a Facebook page.

So far, they have received donations from more than 8,000 people and raised more than $530,000.

“We’re going to need a lot of help; the medical bills alone are going to be staggering,” Tim Corcoran said. “They live in a home that has a twisty staircase; they’re going to need a new home. The rehabilitation, just getting back to a normal life is going to be a struggle.”

Celeste worked as a hairdresser at Emerge Spa & Salon on Boston’s Newbury Street, just blocks from the site of the explosions. Kevin drives a truck for a plumbing supply company. They have health insurance, but like most middle-class families, that won’t help them weather a catastrophic medical emergency, said Tim Corcoran, who works at a restaurant in Providence, R.I.

“They’re just a regular American family struggling in today’s economy that will be set back by this. Celeste will not be able to go to work and Kevin obviously isn’t,” he said. “The true reality of the situation hasn’t really set in yet. There will be hard times ahead.”

Boston double amputee, daughter hospitalized together - latimes.com

 

[Reba]

Veteran amputees visit bombing victims at Boston hospitals
April 23, 2013
A group of amputee veterans visited the victims of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, which killed three and injured more than 175 people, according to the Boston Medical Center Facebook page.

Boston Medical Center, one of the hospitals that cared for the victims, received 23 patients injured from the blasts and several of them have lost limbs.

“We are happy to report that all of our amputation patients are nearly completed,” Jeffrey Kalish, MD, director of endovascular surgery at Boston Medical Center, stated during a press conference on April 22. “These patients are starting the process of both physical and mental rehabilitation, which is really going to be the next step in their care.”

Patients at several local Boston hospitals including Boston Medical Center were visited by Marines from the Semper Fi Fund who had lost limbs while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Semper Fi Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides financial support for injured and critically ill members of the US armed forces through their program, America’s Fund.

“These are the first days in what may be a long road to recovery, and we will be there to help through our program, America's Fund,” according to the SemperFi Fund’s website. “We will be sending staff, volunteers and amputees wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan to Boston to provide encouragement, guidance and immediate financial support to victims and their families.”

Veteran amputees visit bombing victims at Boston hospitals | Orthotics Prosthetics

 

[Reba]

The Seattle Times
Nation & World
Monday, April 22, 2013 - Page updated at 07:00 p.m.
Boston bombing amputees face tough, costly recovery
By Noam N. Levey
Tribune Washington bureau

BOSTON —

Tammy Duckworth still remembers the anger she felt when well-wishers offered encouragement after she lost both legs when her helicopter was shot down over Iraq in 2004.

“I thought, how the heck is my life ever going to get back to normal?” she recalled.

Duckworth spent a year recovering and many more adapting to her new life. “Recovery is not a smooth process,” she said. “You are trying to process what happened. Your family is going through shock. ... You have to find a new normal.”

But Duckworth did, thanks in part to major medical and therapeutic advances. She has run in three marathons, earned a new pilot’s license and, last year, won a seat representing Illinois in Congress. “I have done things I never dreamed of doing,” she said.

The victims of Monday’s Boston bombings now face similar challenges; at least 13 confront futures with lost or maimed limbs. Their recoveries will be long and arduous, experts say.

For many of the injured, even those who have health insurance, the process may also be costly. Health-insurance plans often restrict coverage for therapy and prosthetics.

But a decade of wars has helped fuel breakthroughs that could help many Boston victims — including those with amputated limbs — live full, active lives.

“The world becomes a very different place when you lose a limb,” said Karen Mattie, rehabilitation director at Boston Medical Center, one of several hospitals caring for people injured in the bombings. “But the beautiful thing is that prosthetics can help people regain an amazing amount of function.”

At the end of the week, several dozen bomb victims remained in hospitals, including two who lost more than one limb.

Those with missing or damaged limbs could face more surgeries in the coming days and weeks as doctors clean wounds to prevent infection and repair damaged muscles, blood vessels and other tissue.

“It’s not as simple as just sewing up a wound,” said Dr. Carl J. Hauser, a trauma surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He also noted that many of the injured experienced shock and lost significant amounts of blood, which can complicate recovery.

Once rehabilitation begins, many patients will confront the frustrations of adapting to life without a foot or a leg. Depression is common.

About a third of adults who have traumatic injuries will suffer from some form of prolonged stress disorder, according to Dr. David X. Cifu, director of the Veterans Health Administration’s physical medicine and rehabilitation program, which has dealt extensively with the long-term effects of trauma.

Paying for care can add to the strain.

Unlike soldiers and Marines injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, who have access to the latest prosthetics and extensive rehabilitation programs at Walter Reed and elsewhere, the Boston victims will not be guaranteed coverage for all their medical care.

Health-insurance plans often cap how much they will pay for prosthetics, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on the complexity of the device. Insurers also frequently limit the number of rehabilitation visits they will cover.

Twenty states have laws barring dollar limits on prosthetics, according to the Amputee Coalition, a national advocacy group that has been fighting to ban the limits.

But such limits are still permitted in most states and in many employer-sponsored plans that are exempt from state regulations.

“There is really no reason every American amputee shouldn’t be fully functional, except health insurance isn’t willing to pay for it,” said Dan Berschinski, a former Army captain who lost his legs in Afghanistan in 2009 and now serves on the Amputee Coalition board.

“I have never seen a medical bill ... and I have a Ferrari’s worth of legs in my closet,” he said. “Most civilians can’t even get those legs.”

Families and friends of the injured in Boston are already setting up funds to help defray medical bills.

Liz Harlan, a Maryland preschool owner whose friend Erika Brannock lost her left leg and seriously injured her right in the blast, is helping raise money so Brannock can remain on her health plan, which she is scheduled to lose when her teaching job ends in June. “We don’t know how soon Erika is going to be able to work,” she said.

Beginning in January, people like Brannock will have at least one new protection. A provision in the 2010 Affordable Care Act will bar insurers from denying coverage to people with amputated limbs or other pre-existing medical conditions, although it will not ensure coverage for all medical expenses.

Nationwide, about 2 million people have either had a limb amputated or were born with abnormalities in their limbs, according to the Amputee Coalition.

The victims of the Boston bombings will also likely benefit from advances in medical technology. New lightweight prosthetics with motors and complex gyroscopes allow patients with even the most severe amputations to walk, and even run.

And a better understanding of how to intervene quickly with peer counseling and other therapies can speed recovery and mitigate the depression many will confront.

“Very often, one of the best therapies is getting them back to doing what they are doing,” said Cifu of the Veterans Health Administration. “They go from being someone with a disability to someone with a real ability.”

Cifu said the public nature of the bombings may also create a sense of community for the victims. That has proved critical in helping military veterans recover from injuries, he and other experts said.

Boston bombing amputees face tough, costly recovery | Seattle Times Newspaper

 

[caz12]

when you been injured in a bomb they should get top quality care sod insurence

 

[Reba]

when you been injured in a bomb they should get top quality care sod insurence

Unfortunately, that's not always the case. The long-term care, prosthetics, adaptive products, environment adaptions and therapy are all very expensive. Also, many of these victims will be out of work for a long time, and might not be able to go back to their old jobs. For example, two of the amputees are brothers, and they worked as roofers.

There are charitable agencies and groups that provide a lot of the assistance.

 

[Babyblue]

Wirelessly posted

Several of the patients recieved donations to help with the cost. It is good to see people unite to help these families.

 

[whatdidyousay!]

deleted wrong thread

 

[caz12]

Unfortunately, that's not always the case. The long-term care, prosthetics, adaptive products, environment adaptions and therapy are all very expensive. Also, many of these victims will be out of work for a long time, and might not be able to go back to their old jobs. For example, two of the amputees are brothers, and they worked as roofers.

There are charitable agencies and groups that provide a lot of the assistance.

these people are victims of evil beliefs, but sons and daughters of a country who believe differently therefore people like the roofers should be given pension comprable to lifetime earnings they would lose and never need worry about enviroment changes they going to need..that would be peanuts compared to just few hours the taxpayer pays towards army in afganistan no brainer to me

 

[Reba]

these people are victims of evil beliefs, but sons and daughters of a country who believe differently therefore people like the roofers should be given pension comprable to lifetime earnings they would lose and never need worry about enviroment changes they going to need..that would be peanuts compared to just few hours the taxpayer pays towards army in afganistan no brainer to me

Since the two men paid into Social Security while they worked, they should be eligible for some Social Security support, and possibly Vocational Rehab help.

One thing people don't realize is that one prosthetic leg plus accessories and adjustments is the cost of a car, and does not last a lifetime. The parts, and the whole prosthesis, have to be replaced. It's pretty much like buying a new car every few years.

They also have to buy wheelchairs, canes, walkers, tub chairs, ramps, and hand controls. Sometimes they have to move to different housing, or add long outdoor ramps, elevators, chair stairs, reinforced railings, showers instead of tubs, etc.

It can be done but it's not easy or cheap.

 

[Foxrac]

I think it will going to small spike the disability claim in SSDI and pension until they are able to find a job that meet their accommodation.

 

[caz12]

Since the two men paid into Social Security while they worked, they should be eligible for some Social Security support, and possibly Vocational Rehab help.

One thing people don't realize is that one prosthetic leg plus accessories and adjustments is the cost of a car, and does not last a lifetime. The parts, and the whole prosthesis, have to be replaced. It's pretty much like buying a new car every few years.

They also have to buy wheelchairs, canes, walkers, tub chairs, ramps, and hand controls. Sometimes they have to move to different housing, or add long outdoor ramps, elevators, chair stairs, reinforced railings, showers instead of tubs, etc.

It can be done but it's not easy or cheap.

they should not be paying and should not be worrying about this...they in wrong place wrong time and for that they should not be paying this awful price.Many countries who hate the west treat there own citizens like thow away rubbish america better than that.

 

[Reba]

they should not be paying and should not be worrying about this...they in wrong place wrong time and for that they should not be paying this awful price.Many countries who hate the west treat there own citizens like thow away rubbish america better than that.

I have heard that many people have made donations to the victims. That's encouraging.

 

[CrazyPaul]

Unfortunately, that's not always the case. The long-term care, prosthetics, adaptive products, environment adaptions and therapy are all very expensive. Also, many of these victims will be out of work for a long time, and might not be able to go back to their old jobs. For example, two of the amputees are brothers, and they worked as roofers.

There are charitable agencies and groups that provide a lot of the assistance.

IMO, the State of Massachusetts should cover those expenses. What do you think?

BTW, it's very sad to hear about those people. On TV, I saw the interview with one lady who lost her foot. She was a dancer as her career. She was smiling all the times during the interview but she still feels angry.

 

[Jiro]

IMO, the State of Massachusetts should cover those expenses. What do you think?

BTW, it's very sad to hear about those people. On TV, I saw the interview with one lady who lost her foot. She was a dancer as her career. She was smiling all the times during the interview but she still feels angry.

absolutely not.

by your logic - anybody who got into car accident on highway because of a deer should be compensated by the state.

I'm not even concerned for them because there are always charity programs to take care of them. millions of dollars have already been raised for them. no problem. let the people take care of each other, not the government and our tax money.

 

[Reba]

IMO, the State of Massachusetts should cover those expenses. What do you think?

Not beyond what it would normally cover, such as VR services, and whatever state programs that might already be available.

BTW, it's very sad to hear about those people. On TV, I saw the interview with one lady who lost her foot. She was a dancer as her career. She was smiling all the times during the interview but she still feels angry.

Yes. Sad now but I think we can expect to see her some day on "Dancing with the Stars."

 

[rockin'robin]

Bill the Russian government....well, seriously, it's horrible...just don't know how I would react if I lost a limb. And I do feel these people (victims) should have a life free of worry or debt. They already have enough horror to deal with on a daily basis....and who's paying for one suspect's hospitalization?....:roll:...and who's gonna have to pay if they are deemed insane?.....We will, of course!....But as for the victims....soon as the $$ and insurance runs out, they will have to struggle...is it FAIR?...Hell No....

 

[Foxrac]

Bill the Russian government....well, seriously, it's horrible...just don't know how I would react if I lost a limb. And I do feel these people (victims) should have a life free of worry or debt. They already have enough horror to deal with on a daily basis....and who's paying for one suspect's hospitalization?....:roll:...and who's gonna have to pay if they are deemed insane?.....We will, of course!....But as for the victims....soon as the $$ and insurance runs out, they will have to struggle...is it FAIR?...Hell No....

lol, I like your attitude - BILL the Russian government.

The victims will have very fewer bigger medical bills due to state health care reform under Romney to keep cost down.

 

[Smithtr]

Bill the Russian government....well, seriously, it's horrible...just don't know how I would react if I lost a limb. And I do feel these people (victims) should have a life free of worry or debt. They already have enough horror to deal with on a daily basis....and who's paying for one suspect's hospitalization?....:roll:...and who's gonna have to pay if they are deemed insane?.....We will, of course!....But as for the victims....soon as the $$ and insurance runs out, they will have to struggle...is it FAIR?...Hell No....

it is serious! sound pretty whoa?!! OMG yeah! not cool! it is pretty health and medical look likes sound!