Girl Who Lost Brother, Leg in Boston Bombing Inspires

Jane Richard has new prosthetic leg
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 16, 2013 4:18 AM CDT
Family Slammed By Boston Attack: 'We're Succeeding'
This photo released Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, by the Richard family shows Jane Richard, 7, who lost part of her left leg in the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, 2013, walking on a prosthetic.   (AP Photo/Richard Family)

The Richard family suffered multiple tragedies at the Boston Marathon: Eight-year-old Martin was killed in the attack, mom Denise received a head wound, and Jane, 7, lost a leg. But in a Tumblr post yesterday picked up by the New York Times, they show they haven't been beaten. "It is not all heartbreak for our family, as we are making progress on this long, difficult and painful road forward," they write—even if "an hour doesn’t go by that we don’t feel the agony of Martin’s death and the senseless way it came about."

Jane was discharged several weeks ago following months at the hospital, they family says, per WCVB. "That night was the first time any of us slept at home in our own beds since before the bombings," they note. "We left home together on April 15, and we were determined that none of us would sleep at home until all of us could do so." Now, they draw strength from Jane's progress with her prosthetic leg. They write:

  • She "continues to be an incredible source of inspiration - and exhaustion. The loss of her leg has not slowed her one bit, or deterred her in any way ... When she is able to have [her prosthetic leg] on, she struts around on it with great pride and a total sense of accomplishment. Watching her dance with her new leg, which has her weight primarily on the other leg, is absolutely priceless."
They conclude, "With the love and support of family and friends, including those who were total strangers just four months ago, we feel like we are succeeding." Click for the full post. (More Boston Marathon bombing stories.)

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