My Reinvention personal project is about women who reinvent themselves midlife.  Becoming a photographer in my 30s completely changed my life…and I think sometimes you don’t know what you should be doing until 30/40/50.  Some of my subjects have made similar decisions, actively pursuing their dreams…some have had to change by necessity or new circumstance.  We did a photo shoot for Marie Claire magazine with Heather Abbott last year at her Newport home and I immediately felt she was a great inspiration and a great fit for the project which I hope inspires women to believe in themselves and take action.

It’s almost been two years since the bombing at the Boston Marathon.  Heather Abbott was watching the marathon with friends, and the second blast hit her lower left leg.  Injuries were so bad she had to have her lower leg amputated.

Heather’s such a nice, upbeat person–and she’s been a huge inspiration to others in a role that’s redefined her life.  She’s grown The Heather Abbott foundation to support fellow amputees pay for their medical costs and live life to the fullest.  Many people don’t realize the high costs that amputees face.  Please visit her website and consider donating:  www.heatherabbottfoundation.org.

As part of the Reinvention project, we asked Heather some questions about her experience and life.  Wonderful, thoughtful answers–thanks so much Heather!!

What have you learned about yourself since the bombing?

A lot.  I’ve learned that I’m more resilient than I ever imagined that I could be.  I’ve learned which people I can count on and really value in my life.  I’ve been amazed at how many people I’ve met who have chosen careers that provide physical or emotional help to others, rather than focusing on contributing to Corporate America and making money.  And I’ve learned to become a much more compassionate and understanding person, especially as it relates to dealing with people with disabilities.  I’ve also learned that shoes and clothes and hair and make up are still important to me, amputee or not 🙂

How did all this change your feelings about your life’s purpose?

Becoming an amputee has completely changed my idea of my life’s purpose.  In fact, I’m not sure that I knew what my life’s purpose was prior to the bombing, other than doing things like moving up the corporate ladder and planning my next tropical vacation.  Those types of things have moved far down on my list of priorities and using my knowledge and experience as an amputee to help other amputees has taken their place.  Once I was thrust into the world of prosthetic devices I was forced to learn of their tremendous cost, the lack of health insurance coverage for them and the number of amputees that are not able to do activities that they love as a result, like running, biking or wearing high heels.  Because of the publicity surrounding my amputation, as relates to the Boston Marathon bombing, donations to help alleviate these obstacles for me came in from all over the world.  I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened to me had I been in a car accident and lost a limb, without such public knowledge resulting in offers to help.  So, I started The Heather Abbott Foundation, which assists limb loss victims of trauma in obtaining prosthetic devices.  Resuming my old life, as close as possible, was a tremendous part of my healing process and I want to be able to provide that same opportunity for other amputees.  Additionally, I have become a certified Peer Counselor by the American Amputee Coalition and now visit with new amputees in the hospital to help answer some of their questions as they adjust to their new normal.  More info on the Foundation can be found at www.heatherabbottfoundation.org. 

What are your reflections on community and love over the past year?

I was surprised by the help and support that I received from various communities and which types of communities came out to offer assistance.  People from all different parts of my life and many I don’t even know, were right there to help in any way they could.  Former high school and college classmates and teachers, coworkers, neighborhoods where I grew up and live now, Veterans, other amputees – you name it!  The Boston One Fund collected over $80 Million dollars from Americans and others all over the world who wanted to help bombing victims.  It was really tremendous and sometimes overwhelming to realize just how much people support each other in times of need and how many more people are concerned with helping as opposed to hurting fellow human beings.