Incredible Portraits Of Boston Marathon Survivors With Messages Of Healing And Hope To The World

"I’m Celeste Corcoran from Lowell, Massachusetts. My message is “Still Standing.” I wrote still standing because the bombers hurt me—they took my legs—but I can still stand on them. I just love the play on the message. Writing it on my naked legs, seeing those words and having the prosthetics next to me.

I’m still standing."

Sydney Corcoran: "My name is Sydney Corcoran, I am 18 years old, and I live in Lowell, MA. My message was "You Can Scar Me, But You Cannot Stop Me." I think that everyone has scars, and we should embrace them. I've learned that we can overcome the obstacles that gave those scars to us."

Pictured: Elizabeth Bermingham, marathon survivor.

Pictured: Nick Yanni, marathon survivor.

"One thing that I’ve learned since last April is that in the world there are many bad people, but that there are also many good people that outweigh the bad people. When the bombings occurred, immediately there were people from all around the world of all ages who supported in any way they could."

Pictured: Lee Ann Yanni, marathon survivor.

"After the Marathon, I felt alone. I thought I would never be able to speak, acknowledge what had happened, or trust anyone again. I was more afraid than I have ever been in my life. Jay and Barrett, the two other men in the photograph, showed me how to write about that pain in the past tense. They have spent the last year by my side, teaching me how to laugh again, how to accept what happened and move forward from it, and most importantly, how to forgive.

Barrett and Jay remind me every day that humanity IS good. I am immensely grateful for the many gifts they have so patiently given to me. Had it not been for their selfless actions, I would still be a scared little boy without a way out. “Boston Strong” isn’t about terrorists or explosives. The real meaning behind those words is the joy, the solidarity, the encouragement, the sacrifices, and the bravery that we are capable of together. It is about proving that malicious acts mean nothing when compared to the strength of love. It is about taking those gifts I have been so graciously given and sharing them with someone who still feels the pain.

WE are Boston Strong, and WE will never be alone."

"My message was “Gratitude Jack Claire Tom Hugh.” I feel very lucky to be alive and very grateful to my family and friends, the first responders, all the folks at MGH, MEEI, and Spaulding, and the City of Boston for all their support. I am especially grateful to my four kids, whom I believe are the reason that I am still around. My soul is so full of gratitude that there is no room in me for sadness, anger, or fear."

Pictured: Dave Fortier, marathon survivor.

Alyssa Loring: "Since the first few moments in the hospital, Brittany has had a positive attitude about healing, and we wanted a message that epitomized what our experience has been. The love and outreach of our community far outweighs the negativity of the event.

When really bad things happen, really good people step up. Throughout the first few weeks, when Brittany was just starting her recovery, I would read her emails from friends and people from her past. They really helped brighten her day and help her maintain her positive attitude. Cards arrived at the hospital from children around the country who wanted to reach out, and their honesty and well wishes made us smile. Her colleagues at Boston College’s MBA program made a schedule and dropped off dinners for us, which was immensely helpful. It was just incredible to witness the outreach first hand."

"Every day my wife and I try to move on with our lives. We try to get back to where we were before this terrible incident took place after 36 years of marriage. Some days are easier than others, but we are reminded every day now about what we went through by some part of the media/news. All we can do is “move on“ to the next chapter of our lives together. We are also reminded of what we went through by the pain and suffering we still go through every day both physically and mentally."