Patrick Downes and Jess Kensky, victims of the Boma bombing, both suffered amputations after the explosion, but their physical disabilities did not reduce their love for running. In the 20 16 Boston Marathon, Downes completed the longest race after injury, and completed the whole race with prosthetic limbs. Kensky met him at the finish line. After the race, Downes pushed Kensky onto the runway, and together they passed the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
After finishing the 20 16 Boston Marathon, Downes pushed his wife Kensky onto the runway and they passed the finish line together. ? John Tlumacki/Globestaff 2065438+03 The newlyweds live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and came to the scene on the day of the Boston Marathon. They enjoyed the atmosphere and cheers near the finish line and cheered for the runners. Just then, the explosion happened. Both of them lost their left calves after being sent to hospital.
A photo of the two when they got engaged. ? Jess Kensky & Patrick Downes Last year, in June+10, 5438, Kensky made a painful decision. Because the injury to her right calf never healed, she decided to amputate. Now, it has been one year since she underwent amputation and 33 months since the explosion. Downes, 32, and Kensky, 34, decided to take part in the Disney World Half Marathon held in Orlando, Florida on 20 16 10 respectively. Last spring, Downes started running with a machete prosthesis. In his view, returning to running is a bit of a dilemma: "I have a prosthetic leg on my left leg and run very well. This is my way of challenging myself. But for his wife, she can't go back to that road to run with him. This couple is really in trouble. Downes said, "She likes running more than I do, but when they are in different positions on the road to recovery after injury, it becomes very difficult to run together. 」
After the bombing, the two stayed in the hospital for treatment. ? ALLANA TARANTO/ARS MAGNA Studio Around the same time, Kensky was also learning to walk with artificial limbs. In June, Downes took part in the 5-mile race in new york Central Park, which was sponsored by the Achilles International Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps disabled people to provide sports opportunities. Kensky also took part in the hiking competition. However, Kensky's condition is not good. In autumn, when she tried to start running again, there were some complications in her prosthetic limb. In June, 165438+ 10, she underwent several operations to solve these problems. At the beginning of this year, she finally stood up "I thought it would be as simple as starting cycling again, but it turned out that it wasn't," Kensky said gloomily.
Kensky started running again after the second amputation. ? Bostonobe and his wife currently live in Bethesda Naval Base, Maryland, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center provides her with reliable medical and rehabilitation services. Kensky still finds it hard to accept his present situation. "I should be able to reply faster, but my actions still feel fragile. I used to be young, healthy and beautiful, but now I am constantly injured and bruised. I always feel that my prosthesis is not suitable for me and I am limited everywhere. Considering what they have suffered, it is really a memorable milestone to be able to return to the marathon and stand at the starting line with thousands of other contestants. " It feels really good to be treated as an athlete instead of a patient again. "Kensky said," I have been a patient for too long. Although she is looking forward to running again one day, Kensky said that she also likes to devote herself to different sports, such as hand-cranked bicycles and swimming. She said, "I used to love running. Running made me feel very free and calm. However, because of my physical disability, the exercise I can do is very limited. I can enjoy all the beauty of running, but I can't realize it in my new body, but I don't think I'll have a chance to enjoy it again. In cycling and swimming, I can get rid of all the unnecessary objects on my body, and then I can be myself again. 1October 2016 10 Disney Half Marathon is the longest race they have participated in since the explosion. At that time, Downes ran half a horse with a machete prosthesis, while Kensky took part in a hand-cranked bicycle race. Then, Downes returned to the Boston Marathon and ran the whole horse. A year after the explosion, the couple took part in the hand-cranked bicycle race in the Boston Marathon. Later, both of them rode hand-cranked bicycles to participate in the marathon. Downes said he knew it wouldn't be easy. Compared with other players on the field, Downes said, "I really admire their performance. Hand-cranked cycling requires incredible upper limb strength and a healthy cardiovascular system, which I think is the same as running. 」
The two received treatment and rehabilitation at the Bethesda Naval Base. ? Mr. and Mrs. Downes of Boston College said that they met some people at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center-friends from "Wounded Warriors and Achilles Freedom Team" gave them a lot of encouragement and encouragement. This team is a sports competition training group for injured retired non-commissioned officers. They said that these friends showed them that life after amputation can be very positive. "What they achieved really inspired us," Downes said. "Without their friendship, help and guidance, I don't think we could have taken this step smoothly. Completing a marathon and enjoying it is a small step for Downes and his wife to return to normal life, which shows that their lives have not been swallowed up by the subsequent impact of the explosion. Kensky said, "I have been able to face the history of bombing, but that is only part of our story, but it is no longer the point. 」
Two people hand-cranked bicycles 20 15 Boston Marathon. ? ELISE AMENDOLA/ Associated Press Downes participated in the 20 16 Boston Marathon and raised money for his alma mater, Boston College. Together with Tom Treacy, who also graduated in 2005, he finally raised $33,600 for the excellent scholarship of Boston College, exceeding their initial target of $25,000 by 34%.
Tom Treacy (left) and Patrick Downes (right) participated in the 20 16 Boston Marathon to raise money for their alma mater. ? boston college