ABBOTT HOSTS 4TH FUNDRAISER
Helps start up Krystle’s Kids
Supporters of the Heather Abbott Foundation joined together yesterday afternoon for some classic New England seafood — and a good cause.
The foundation, created by Abbott, a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombings, hosted its fourth annual fall kickoff fundraiser at the Barking Crab in Boston. The foundation works to provide customized prostheses to people who have lost a limb.
“A lot of these folks have become really important parts of my life and I really admire their strength and resilience,” Abbott said.
Abbott, who lost her leg in the bombings, started the foundation to help amputees afford the cost of specialty prostheses, an expense that some insurance providers won’t cover. The devices can range in price from $15,000 to more than $100,000. Specialty prostheses such as running legs can give amputees the freedom and flexibility to remain active and move more fluidly.
“It’s nice to know that we’ve had a part in helping the amputees to live their lives,” she said. Abbott said hosting the fundraiser is important because the foundation receives a lot of applications for grants and not all can be funded. However, she said starting her foun dation has changed her life: “The best part has been all of the different people I’ve been able to meet with disabilities that I really otherwise would never have met.”
Abbott, a Newport native, was on Boylston Street watching the end of the marathon when she was impacted by the second of two bombs that went off. She was blown into the entrance of a restaurant, and former Patriots lineman Matt Chatham and his wife, Erin, carried her to safety. After undergoing three surgeries, Abbott was forced to make the decision of amputating her left leg below the knee.
The restaurant filled with supporters yesterday afternoon who enjoyed food, drinks, live music, a raffle and silent auction. Barking Crab General Manager Matt White, who donated the food and drinks, said he is happy to make the offer every year. “We’ve all become kind of a family, so it’s good to give back.”
White said this year was special, as it is the first year Krystle’s Kids Fund was established through the Abbott Foundation. The fund will provide scholarships to Bostonarea children who are amputees and, through the fund, will be able to attend camps designed for kids with disabilities. Krystle Campbell, the fund’s namesake, died in the bombings.
Roseann Sdoia Materia of Boston, who lost her leg in the attacks, said she was friends with Abbott before the tragedy. “It was so just weird both of us were injured that day and both lost legs,” she said. She attended the fundraiser yesterday and told the Herald she makes every effort to support Abbott’s foundation.
Sdoia Materia urged other amputees to keep a positive spirit. “Find that mission that you think you were supposed to have and just do it. Live your life and don’t be afraid to make changes.”