Marathon Bombing Survivor Excited To Regain Independence

BOSTON (CBS) - She's about to take a giant step, one that will be a life changer.  Mery Daniel, who lost a leg during the Marathon bombings is waiting for her first prosthesis, and looking forward to the greater independence it will give her.  Mery almost died when the first bomb went off.  It took her left leg and seriously damaged her right.  She admits it's a continuing struggle, but hopes it gets a little easier very soon.

"I just heard a blast and the next thing I know I was on the floor.  The next thing I knew I couldn't feel my legs," says Daniel, remembering April 15th.  The 31-year-old medical student, wife and mother is originally from Haiti, and was one of many at the finish line.  "I was in the ambulance when I actually, really realized what was happening.  I remember saying, please save my legs," she says.  But one leg was too badly damaged, the other was ripped apart in back.  Mery was unconscious for two days.  "I remember the doctor came up to me, he had so much to say regarding everything they had to do to keep me alive.  By the time he got to my leg, I'm like, I'm glad I'm still alive," she says.

Today she's up and moving.  "I walk with crutches now.  I can walk 200 feet.  When I came to Spaulding I couldn't even, two people had to help me get out of bed.  That's progress," she says.  The next step, her first artificial leg.  "I joked about it yesterday, I said it was like shopping for a new shoe.  I'm excited to go back to being a little independent.  I don't know how long it will take me to be almost completely independent," she says.

But every victory is hard fought.  "There was still some residual anger.  Why did this happen?  It took me a couple of weeks to get over that.  It's not easy," she says.  Mery says she no longer tries to understand why.  "Because it's an act of evil, and you'll never be able to understand it.  I try to embrace the other end.   A lot of great things that people have done so far like the letters I receive every day and the gifts I receive every day, helps me move forward.  That's seeing the best of humanity and that can always overcome evil," she says.

Money is also a concern, especially as Mery considers returning to her medical studies where she plans to study family medicine or psychology.  She also has to move.  The 2nd floor apartment she shares with her husband and 5-year-old daughter has too many stairs for her.

To help, go to:  www.gofundme.com/merydaniel