Early Life and Background
Jeff Bauman was born on January 2, 1986, in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, to Jeff Bauman, Sr. and Patty Bauman. He grew up in a working-class family and attended Chelmsford High School. He worked at Costco as a deli worker before the bombing1.
The Bombing and Its Aftermath
On April 15, 2013, Jeff was waiting near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, cheering for his ex-girlfriend Erin Hurley, whom he had recently broken up with but still loved. When Erin was around a mile away from the finish line, two bombs went off near Jeff, causing him to lose both of his legs below the knee1. He was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where he underwent multiple surgeries and received prosthetic legs.
Jeff became the subject of a famous photograph taken by Carlos Arredondo, a peace activist who helped save his life by applying tourniquets to his legs. The photograph showed Jeff being wheeled away in a wheelchair, with Arredondo holding his severed artery and a cowboy hat. The photograph became a symbol of the resilience and courage of the bombing victims and the city of Boston.
Jeff also played a crucial role in identifying one of the bombers, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, whom he had seen dropping a backpack near him before the explosion1. He gave a description of Tsarnaev to the FBI while he was still in intensive care, which helped them track down the suspects1.
Recovery and Personal Life
Jeff faced many challenges and difficulties in his recovery process, both physically and emotionally. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, depression and anxiety. He also struggled with his relationship with Erin, who supported him throughout his ordeal but also felt overwhelmed by the pressure and attention. They got engaged in February 2014 and married in November 2014. Their daughter, Nora Gail Bauman, was born on July 13, 2014. However, they divorced in 2017, citing irreconcilable differences.
Jeff wrote a memoir titled Stronger, which was published in April 2014. The memoir chronicled his life before and after the bombing, as well as his journey of healing and finding strength in himself and others4. The memoir was adapted into a film of the same name, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Jeff and Tatiana Maslany as Erin. The film was released in September 2017 and received positive reviews from critics and audiences4.
Jeff continues to inspire people with his story of survival and resilience. He is an advocate for amputees and people with disabilities. He also participates in various events and causes related to the bombing, such as the Boston Marathon Charity Team and the One World Strong Foundation. He lives in Concord, Massachusetts, with his daughter Nora2.
