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Surviving the Boston Marathon Bombing and Its Aftermath

Meet Rebekah Gregory, who overcame the loss of a leg following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

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Rebekah Gregory and her son, Noah, attended the 2013 Boston Marathon to cheer on a friend who was running in the race. They were standing near the finish line when the two bombs detonated, one after the other. Luckily, Noah was positioned behind his mom at the time of the blasts and suffered relatively minor injuries, but both of Rebekah’s legs—her left one in particular—were seriously injured.

Back home in Houston, Rebekah’s doctors worked for months to save the left leg. Rebekah wanted nothing more to be back her old self so she kept praying and fighting through the pain, fearing that without her left leg, she couldn’t be a proper mother to Noah. But a passing remark from Noah caused her to rethink her situation, giving her the courage to let go, to accept a prosthetic leg, and her life has been on the rise ever since. 

Read Rebekah’s inspiring story from the April 2017 issue of Guideposts.

Rebekah Gregory survived horrific injuries in the Boston Marathon bombing.

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Rebekah Gregory survived horrific injuries in the Boston Marathon bombing.


Rebekah Gregory with her son, Noah

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Rebekah and her son, Noah, were on the curb near the finish line when the bombs exploded. Thankfully, Rebekah’s legs shielded Noah from the blast.

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Rebekah's son, Noah, at her side in the hospital

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Within a week after the bombing, Noah was by his mom’s side, helping her.


Rebekah Gregory shows off her Boston Strong t-shirt from her hospital bed

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Rebekah, still in the hospital following the bombing, shows off a shirt that demonstrates her resolve and positive attitude.


After reaching the difficult decision to stop treating her left leg and allow doctors to remove it, Rebekah's recovery has been steady and strong.

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After reaching the difficult decision to stop treating her left leg and allow doctors to remove it, Rebekah’s recovery has been steady and strong.


Some two years after the bombing, Rebekah throws out the first pitch at a Houston Astros game in Minute Maid Park.

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Some two years after the bombing, Rebekah throws out the ceremonial first pitch at a Houston Astros game in Minute Maid Park.


Rebekah with her family: son Noah, husband Chris and daughter Ryleigh.

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Rebekah with her family: son Noah, husband Chris and daughter Ryleigh.

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