Heather Abbott Will Give Commencement Address at Mass. College

If you meet Newporter Heather Abbott, it’s hard to feel like you’re in the presence of a victim.

She’s the inspiring leader of a foundation that shares her name, advocating for people who can’t afford prosthetic devices after suffering unexpected incidents or accidents.

She works as a human resources manager and makes constant public appearances to tell her story, talk about how much she loves to swim, run and wear her high heels.

She talks about how she was lucky to get so much help and support after she lost part of her leg after injuries sustained in the Boston Marathon Bombings — and how nobody facing the prospect of losing a limb should be without the same support.

Abbott is now making plans for her next public appearance — as the commencement speaker for the 2015 undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies at Framingham State University in Framingham, Mass.

“Heather Abbott is an inspiration and model of strength to anyone who has ever suffered through a traumatic injury,” said Framingham State President F. Javier Cevallo “I’m certain our graduates will be inspired by her example of courage and resilience in the face of adversity.”

The University will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree to Abbott during the ceremony for her efforts to help others who have suffered through serious injuries.

Her foundation, the Heather Abbott Foundation, is officially set to launch on April 19 — the day before the 2015 Boston Marathon.

Abbott said she is fortunate to be able to run, swim and wear her heels. During her recovery and physical therapy, she learned how expensive prosthetic limbs are and how they’re out of reach for many.

“I consider myself to be fortunate in that my injury was such a public one where so many resources were available to me and donations were made to allow me to live my life the way I want to live it. I have prosthetic devices that allow me to run, swim and even wear high heels. Others, especially women, have reached out to me inquiring about my cosmetic legs – where did I get them and how much did they cost? They are so disappointed to learn that the cosmetic cover, alone, is $15,000 – $20,000. The total cost of my leg is $70,000,” Abbott writes. “Especially considering the fact that these devices need to be replaced every 3-5 years, most Americans are not able to afford them. According to the American Amputee Coalition, there are 500 new amputees in the USA each day that don’t have the publicity and fundraising that I and the other marathon bombing amputees did. For many of them, their life as they knew if before limb loss is completely different and they are unable to resume activities that they once loved.”