(AP)
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This bombing victim is “Boston strong — and he won’t let losing his legs get in the way of supporting others injured in the marathon terror attack.
Jeff Bauman used a new wheelchair to visit fellow bomb victim Sydney Corcoran (top photo) and give her a gift for her 18th birthday Tuesday in their hospital.
“What a sweetheart! Very emotional and awesome experience for all involved,” Sydney’s family wrote on a fund-raising Web site for the injured teen, who nearly bled to death.
Bauman, too, almost died, but was saved with the help of good Samaritans, such as cowboy-hat wearing anti-war activist Carlos Arredondo (bottom photo).
Bauman, 27, was in high spirits, even in the hospital.
“He was just cracking jokes, and he said, ‘I’ll be up in no time,” said Steve Chamberlain, of the 50 Legs charity, who visited him Monday.
Bauman, who has since been discharged and is now recovering in a rehab facility, is thrilled to be mobile again.
“When Jeff got that wheelchair the other day, his eyes lit up — because for him, that was freedom,” said Bauman’s uncle, Dale Maybury, 50. “And that was an inspiration to everyone.”
“He has a lot of support around him, and he’s strong. We’re Boston strong, and nobody is going to take us down. They tried to break us on 9/11, and they tried to do it again. But they never will.”
Bauman was credited with helping identify the bombers after he awoke from the attack in the hospital and immediately described one of them.
He said that he had locked eyes with one of the killers, who had set a bag down near his feet.
“He’s a hero because he helped identify the suspects,” said Maybury, of Westford, Mass.
“He still has hearing problems and burns he has to contend with, but he’s in good spirits . . .
“Jeff is going to be able to do a lot of good. After all is said and done, people are going to benefit.”