Everything is like 9/11 unless it is a natural disaster and then it is like Katrina. Cable news kills more brain cells than sniffing glue and is not nearly as enlightening.

I had just left the finished line, and I was standing in front of Back Bay Station. I heard the first explosion go off. Most of the people around me didn't know what was going on. I had the gut instinct that it was a malicious explosion. I had a feeling. Then I heard the second one and I knew.

I'm a recovering alcoholic. I wake up every morning and I pray for God to guide me through my day, and I asked for Him to let me help somebody in a tangible way. I had no idea this is what He had planned for me. I have medical training in trauma and first aid. I came up here to Boston a year ago to do some work and hopefully go to school this fall.

I saw a police officer with a hand on her gun on the corner. I told her I had some experience with medical training and asked her where I could help. She told me, "They're gonna need a lot of help. Go to 800 Boylston," and I immediately sprinted over in that direction. I ended up running next to this guy, the only other person I saw heading in that direction. I asked him if he had medical training, and he said he was a doctor. I kind of just stuck by him in the medical tent and did what he asked me to do.

[...]