April 15, 2013, began as a typical Monday for me. Although I鈥檓 an overall sports fan, I didn鈥檛 realize the annual Boston Marathon was taking place. At 2:50 pm, the day was no longer typical for me or anyone else because of two bombs that exploded near the race鈥檚 finish line, killing three people and injuring more than 250 others. Like everyone, I was devastated by the news, as was Jared Cohon, Carnegie Mellon鈥檚 president. He sent an email to the university community the next day addressing the bombing (as well as that day鈥檚 fatal earthquake in Pakistan):
In the wake of the horrific and senseless bombings at the Boston Marathon yesterday, I鈥檓 writing to ask you to join me in sending your thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families, and to all in the Carnegie Mellon community who have been affected.鈥� My heart is with those who are grieving in Boston and around the world. I know yours is, too.
In the days that followed, two suspects were identified. Soon thereafter, one was taken into custody while the other died in a shootout with police officers. I found some solace in knowing that such a heinous crime evidently wouldn鈥檛 go unpunished. But, like Dr. Cohon, my heart continued to ache for the bombing victims.
On April 21, six days after the bombing, someone sent me a link to a on YouTube from the hospital room of a mother, Celeste, and her daughter, Sydney. They had been among the marathon鈥檚 spectators, cheering on Celeste鈥檚 sister, who was competing in the race for the first time. Both Celeste and Sidney were injured by the blasts. Celeste had to have her legs amputated around the knees.
The video was taken while a Marine, who had both of his legs amputated during active duty, visited with them. Standing on his prostheses, he tried to bolster their spirits, telling them that this wasn鈥檛 the end, it was the beginning. As an example, there was talk of how he competes in the Paralympics, which prompted Celeste to discuss, through some tears, next year鈥檚 Boston Marathon:
鈥淚鈥檓 not super athletic, I like to work out and stuff, but running has never been my thing because I always get the most horrible shin splints.鈥� Then, pointing to where her legs had once been, she said with comedic timing, 鈥淗ey, I don鈥檛 have shins anymore, I won鈥檛 be getting shin splints. I can do this!鈥� Laughter filled the hospital room.
What an outlook! Some people, no matter what happens, refuse to be defeated by life鈥檚 circumstances. They believe in themselves, and they believe that if they work hard and act responsibly, good things will happen.
In this issue鈥檚 cover story, 鈥�Alcaldesa,鈥� Carmen Yulin believed in herself when her own political party didn鈥檛. So, despite always dreaming of being San Juan, Puerto Rico鈥檚 mayor, she was given virtually no chance of becoming the city鈥檚 next acaldesa. Learn what she did and who supported her as she worked to overcome nearly insurmountable odds.
There are also plenty of other stories in this issue about people beating the odds. For that reason, we would like to dedicate this issue to all those affected by the tragic events of April 15. Boston Strong.
鈥�Robert Mendelson
听听 Executive Editor
听听 Follow on Twitter @RobertMendelson
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