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The Echo
Taylor University, Upland, IN
Saturday, April 20, 2024
The Echo
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On the other side of the finish line

By Jon Stroshine | Echo

The Boston Marathon bombings of April 15 brought tragedy, death, and scores of injuries to one of Beantown's signature events. But Boston resident and Taylor graduate Kia Kenney has seen a different side to the attack.

Copley Square memorial (Photograph provided by Kia Kenney)

"It's not an unfriendly city, you're just not going to get someone to stop and chat with you on the street," Kenney said. "It's always refreshing to see that in a time like this that the dominant emotion or human reaction is so much good rather than anger and bitterness."

As the federal investigation into the recent Boston Marathon bombings continues, support has been pouring in for victims of the tragedy.

Kenney said Copley Square in the heart of Boston is dominated by a U-shaped pile of running shoes, message boards, hats and other keepsakes stretching five feet wide to remember those killed or injured in the bombings.

Inside the ring is another pile of items of remembrance, as well as several decorated trees.

Many victims are paying for their treatment with money collected through fundraising websites like GiveForward, the New York Times reported.

A fund for Kenney's friend Adrianne Haslet-Davis, who lost part of her left leg in the attack, has been started by Haslet-Davis' employer, Arthur Murray Dance Studios. The fund had raised over $247,000 as of this afternoon.

Haslet-Davis' husband was also injured in the blasts, and the funds will go to cover both of their expenses. Haslet-Davis is currently undergoing rehab for her injuries, while her husband Adam is recovering from his wounds.

"Adam is...still using crutches. As soon as he can get off of the crutches, he'll start going through some physical therapy...Adrianne is doing really well," Kenney said. "(They'll) be working on getting a prosthetic prepared for her, she probably won't get fit for it for another month, four to six weeks probably."

Funds are also being raised for victims through the One Fund, set up by Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. The fund has raised over $28 million, according to its website.

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