By Brittany Lauro | Editor –
Six months ago, on April 15, two pressure cooker bombs detonated amongst 5,700 runners and their fellow supporters near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, blowing civilians apart and leaving limbs dispersed throughout the street. The aftermath was incomprehensible, leaving three dead and 264 others injured, reported CNN. Injuries resulted in the stipulation of multiple corrective surgeries and in extreme cases, amputation. Among these amputee victims is Heather Abbott.
Abbott is a Newport, Rhode Island resident and Rhode Island native. She graduated with a degree in accounting from Stonehill College, and after a brief career in public accounting, she entered the field of Human Resources while pursuing an MBA at Providence College. Abbott’s achievements are extensive, including a certificate in HR Management from Roger Williams University and certification as a Professional in Human Resources Management by the HR Certification Institute.
Currently, Abbott works as Manager, HR Compliance and Equal Opportunity Employment, at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. Here, she is responsible for the division’s Affirmative Action Plans, Department of Labor Audits and discrimination claims for approximately 14,000 employees across the US.
On that disastrous day of the bombing, Abbott and six of her friends attended a Red Sox game. After watching the Red Sox beat the Rays 3-2, the group headed over to Forum restaurant, located at the finish line of the marathon. While waiting in line, the second bomb detonated, striking Abbott and leaving her left leg brutally damaged. After medical attention, the 38-year-old survivor was given two choices: keep her left leg and live with chronic pain, or have it amputated. Today, Abbott wears a prosthetic leg while pursuing her favorite activities and living her daily life.
This week, Abbott will visit Salve Regina University to share her story with faculty and staff. Abbott’s presentation will be given on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in Bazarsky Lecture Hall, located in O’Hare Academic Center on Ochre Point Avenue. Free and open to the public, the event is being sponsored by Salve Regina’s campus activities board spotlight series.
