One year ago yesterday, we suffered a terrible tragedy, and it hit so close to home here in Connecticut.
On April 15, 2013, three lives were lost and hundreds of lives were forever changed when two bombs went off near the finish line of the 177th Boston Marathon.
But out of such a terrible tragedy has come so much love, compassion, and perseverance, which is even more evidence of the strength and exuberance of the human spirit.
One story in particular that I think is a shining example of the ability the human body has to overcome big challenges can be seen in the story of Adrianne Haslet-Davis.
Before the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, Adrianne was an Arthur Murray ballroom dance instructor. But dance wasn’t just her source of income; it was her passion and a source of joy.
I can’t imagine the terror she must have felt when the blast went off, sending shrapnel through her heel and Achilles tendon. Adrianne and her husband had been part of the crowd cheering the runners that day, and they’d both been wounded.
Adrianne’s injuries were so severe that her left leg had to be amputated from just below the knee.
For most people, something like this would be devastating – even more so for a professional dancer.
But despite losing her leg, Adrianne was determined to dance again.
Within weeks of the bombings, she began working with Hugh Herr, director of the Biomechatronics Group at MIT (and a double amputee survivor himself) who would go on to engineer a bionic leg specially designed to help Adrianne get back on the dance floor.
And now, one year after the attack on Boston, she is an inspiring example of what it means to persevere beyond the odds. She has met her own goal of being able to dance again.
It really moved me to read about Adrianne’s trials over the last year and to see how far she has come.
But what I find most inspiring is that she didn’t let this tragedy get in the way of her dreams; she accepted the challenge and pressed through.
Adrianne’s story is the kind of inspiration that can touch us “where we live.”
It got me thinking: we all have obstacles. What are some ways you’ve been able to move past yours?
Really heart touching story.For many people just of a little cause or problem everything is finished in life.
Yes it all depends on the vision and the will power to get defeated or to overcome
such sitaution in life.
So we can conclude that,”Miracles do happen in life only when the human spirit
takes it up”.
Thank you
Ah yes, nicely put, evoneyre.
What an inspirational Story. I believe that when tragedy’s occur it can be a place to see the hearts of who are alive. When people come together to meet as one to pick up the pieces amazing love and healing touch and and many many lives. These types of Stories should be shared and kept out in the open. I am sorry to about the souls which are lost. Unfortunately we cannot control the decisions people make that are opposite to their minds, and away from the heart. My condolences are to all who had lost their lives and to the families around them. I do look forward to seeing more peace and uniting in the world, I really believe it will happen. Kylie
Ever watched the paralympic games?
All amazing people !
My thoughts go to all who were impacted by this senseless event.
I watched Adrianne with her amazing robotic leg dancing on a TED Talk by Hugh Herr. It was the first time she had danced in public since the marathon. The robotics are certainly amazing, but they pale when you see the human element – the indelible human spirit that is required to dare to dream up and then create these modern technological miracles. The world really is amazing.
13-1/2 years ago my nerves went berserk, and I haven’t had a “normal” day since. After spending the ensuing decade plus looking everywhere for a way to be healed, four months ago I finally decided that I had to adjust to what had become, overnight, my new normal and find a way to make the best of it.
I joined the local chapter of an international humanitarian organization; found an adaptive way to write stories for a small local newspaper about the positive things people are doing to help others; and am now realizing a long-time dream of running a booth at my local farmers’ market to benefit trafficked women in Central Asia. By getting my focus off of my physical challenges and looking around for opportunities to make a difference, I have recovered my sense of joy and wonder, and find myself much less negative, depressed and hopeless.
Thanks for this outlet to share my new perspective on life!
You go, Kirby!! What a great story. Thanks for sharing!
I am happy for Adriane that she decided to be in live 100% again even terror.
During Second World War a Russian pilot had loosen two legs and his dream had been to be able again to fly. He managed. The title of this book is “The story for true man” and it is absolutely valid for Adriane.
Obviously 70 years are enough time to forget what the war is and we are directed to the new Nurnberg.
In my own pathway I also prefer to see to obstacles as opportunities rather than as problems.
Thank u for remonding such a heart-touching story …the more so in Russia, the more so during the hard days of WWII. I still have the copy of the book in the Russian language and use this opportunity to tell the story to my kids.
I have the utmost admiration for Adrianne and I understand how she was able to overcome that terrible injury. In 1997, I was hit by a car while I was riding my bike and my left ankle was 3/4 severed. The doctors were able to reattach my foot, so I didn’t need to have it amputated. However, I am missing the talus bone and my posterior artery. It turns out the doctors never thought I would walk unassisted again, but my inpatient physical therapist told me to think of myself like a baby learning to walk all over again. Today, I walk unassisted, I bicycle, and I dance. I can’t run or jump, but I can live without those two activities. I do wear a brace to help me walk correctly and to eliminate my chronic pain. All my ankle doctors and clients love my brace, because I had my two little granddaughters decorate it with stickers, so it’s pretty cool looking. I have some clients who are inspired to overcome their own obstacles when they hear how I’ve overcome mine.
Adrianne story is really moving and inspiring. I found in myself determination, and readiness to
take care of myself, listening to my inner wishing voice
A wonderful story and inspiration for the psychological belief that your reality is defined with your choice of thoughts and actions. Congrats and Bless Her!
Larry Wilcox
Very inspiring. I am sure she had a very strong support group and a good foundation to help her through this life changing event.
Such an admirable set of resources this Adrianne has- determination, focusing on new opportunities, youth, love of life, courage….She’s amazing.
At 71 moving overseas and reinventing my life. I thought that a beautiful story, bravo to this young woman, it just shows that “being paralyzed” can be more of a mental thing than physical. I find these stories to be very inspiring. Makes us all want to be better people. Thank you for sharing.
What helps me get through the obstacles are my mindfulness and meditation practice which give me empathy, equanimity and a more rational and clear head. And from the connection I experience with family, friends and my community I feel supported and vital. It takes a great deal of will on my part to do these things.
At 70, just geting brain, body, consciousness and spirit rewired and ready for an ambitious engagemnet in life and society. To make this period of life as vital and contributive as the last. To maintain the essence of enthusiasm and to feed creative energies needed to overcome obstacles of ageing and infirmity.
This article brought a high note as example and inspiration in adversity. Thank you, Ruth, for this and the other high notes you share.
Don’t know that I’ve moved past my obstacles, but through EFT, I’m working on them. I definitely feel I’ve made some progress, with the help of a wonderful EFT practitioner and lots of homework.
I’m 78 and God is good.
Caring for others more than yourself is a great healer of the self. It is a wondrous and profound mechanism. Science can’t yet describe it, but it has been understood and practiced in many religions and cultures throughout history, but not ours. We are a self absorbed culture, we suffer from entitlement mentality. At my most darkest and tragic times…just a simple prayer (and I am speaking of the global definition of prayer) for the sake of others or assisting some one else in adversity…worked miracles. I wish I knew how to explain the mechanism, I wish more people believed in this incredible process of healing and overcoming adversity in their own lives. And I graciously and gratefully thank with all my heart to the teacher of Buddha Dharma that taught me this.
Thank you Ruth. Reminders like this are so helpful. I use these examples with my clients for inspiration. Very helpful. Again, thank you.
This is so inspiring, the human mind and body is a spiritual grace if we just tap into it.
Thanks Ruth
A wonderful story and an amazing achievement!
Thanks Ruth, wonderful story of life. One of the challenges of life is to be motivated when every thing is going well, a state of “FLOW” where our mind, heart and desire dance to the rhythm which is the purpose of life.
Thanks Ruth,
Life is so challenging but it is up to one to make determination of her/his future through coping with ups and downs of life.