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Boston Newlyweds Face Amputation Rehab — Together

Only the most seriously injured of the 188 marathon bombing patients remain hospitalized.  Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky Downes are among them.  The couple was cheering runners near the finish line Monday when the explosions threw them apart. Patrick and Jessica both lost the lower part of their left leg.

Patrick and Jessica Kensky Downes from Jessica's Facebook page
Patrick and Jessica Kensky Downes from Jessica's Facebook page

"They do know that people out there are coming together for them and I think it’s really helped them," says Kelly who set up one of two online funds.  "They’re very courageous."
Patrick and Jessica were taken to different hospitals, but have spoken by phone. Both work in health care. Jessica, 32, is a nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital. Patrick, 29, is finishing a graduate degree at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology.
"We are praying for him and will support him in any way we can as he regains his strength and is able to return to his studies," says the school's president, Dr. Nicholas Covino, in a statement,
Friends posting messages to the couple remind them they still have strong minds, bodies and arms for hugging. Some offer dinners. Others urge Patrick and Jessica, who are both runners, to get back on the road with expected prosthetic legs. Treacy, from Manhattan, is among the friends headed to Boston to help map the coming weeks, months and years.
"Given where we are," says Treacy, "and the fact that we’re only four days into what’s going to be a pretty long road, I think there are a lot of reasons to be positive."
Not the least of which, adds Treacy, is that Patrick and Jessica will face rehab, and all the challenges of the future, together.

This program aired on April 19, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

Headshot of Martha Bebinger

Martha Bebinger Reporter
Martha Bebinger covers health care and other general assignments for WBUR.

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