Ten years later Boston Marathon Bombing Three killed and hundreds injured, those who survived that day are still recovering.
Paul Norden and Jackie Webb were there In thousands of views, standing with friends. Webb told CBS News that he remembers the first moments of the attack.
“We were waiting for our friend to run by and we heard the first explosion,” Webbs said. “You see what was a mushroom cloud. I started heading down the road, and I remember the barricade was there and thinking, ‘How am I going to hop this?’ And that’s when the second explosion happened.”
Webb and Norden were right next to the second bomb. It took Webb months to recover from the injuries, and because he was near the tree, there was debris and bark that required half a dozen surgeries to remove. Webb’s care was partially covered by a grant from the Greg Hill Foundation, an organization that helps families in New England. Touched by tragedy.
“They came to my hospital within 48 hours and did a check, and I think that was the most impactful gesture of the whole marathon bombing. That’s what I think about all the time,” Webb said.
Meanwhile, Norden lost his right leg above the knee and was in a coma for eight days. His brother was also present marathonHe lost his leg below the knee.
For Webb and Norden, the past decade has included recovery, establishing their own charitable foundation and the birth of their first child, Ella. In a stunning coincidence, the nurse who delivered Ella turned out to be a familiar face: She helped treat Webb’s injuries on marathon day.
“(Ella) is my world, man. It’s just really — you can’t even put into words what she means,” Norden said. “She is so special and brightens our day every day. To have her is beyond blessed.”
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Now, the couple is expecting their second child, a girl, in September.
“We’re excited,” Webb said.
Their Webb Norden Foundation impacts their lives every day. The charity works to help children and young adults who have been involved in a traumatic event, offering access to resources such as Webb and Norden have benefited from.
“I think hands down, it made the biggest difference in our recovery,” Webb said. “I think it was just Paul, me, his brother and our group of friends – it was very easy to go and talk to someone else, or they could normalize a feeling for you. Do it alone, because I think there’s strength in numbers. There are things you can’t explain to other people.”
Although they’ve made a lot of progress in their recovery, the couple says they’re never done Return to the marathon In person, instead of watching the event on television. Webb said he felt “mixed emotions” about the 10-year mark.
“We’re obviously very grateful for everything that’s followed, but yeah, there’s always nerves around every marathon, especially this one, with it being a big anniversary,” Webb said. “But, you know, we’ll get through it.”
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Jeff Glor
