Student who received prosthetic leg from Boston bombing survivor looks to pay it forward

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The UNC Wilmington student who received a new prosthetic leg in New York  this week was back strutting the streets of the Port City Wednesday.

Twenty one-year-old Savannah Booth returns with her new prosthetic leg that is both functional and realistic looking.

She said she is thankful to have connected with Heather Abbott. Abbott is a Boston marathon bombing survivor, whose foundation was able to provide Booth with her new leg.

Abbott, president of the Heather Abbott Foundation, said Booth reached out to her after she lost her leg to offer support and the two became friends. Abbott said while getting to know Booth she realized there were many amputees who could not afford high end, high functioning prosthetic.

“I’ve met a lot of amputees in that position. And Savannah and those others were really what inspired me to start the Heather Abbott Foundation,” said Abbott.

Booth, who had her leg amputated as a baby, said it can be difficult for new amputees or people who lose limbs later in life so she often reaches out to people like Abbott.

Booth said she wants to do more advocacy on behalf of amputees to get them access to higher quality prosthetics.

“Once you get one paid for it’s time to get another one, so most people don’t understand that. They think it’s a one-time thing and it’s not,” said Booth. “So I hope to inspire others and raise more awareness so more people can have the same opportunity.”

Booth said she plans on beginning a blog to give advice and share experiences.

Booth said she’s the fourth amputee to be able to benefit from the Heather Abbott Foundation.