OLD ORCHARD BEACH — On Wednesday Boston Marathon bombing survivor Karen Rand picked up her new leg, nearly two months after she lost her left leg and her good friend in the bombing.

“On Thursday I tried to throw it downstairs,” said Rand, who grew up in Westbrook.

On Saturday she took a walk in a park. On Sunday, surrounded by friends and well-wishers at a fund raiser at The Brunswick at 39 West Grand Ave., in the heart of Old Orchard Beach, she said she knew she would manage.

“I know I am going to be OK but it is a struggle,” said Rand.

The fundraiser continues until 5 p.m. Sunday with proceeds from a drawing, T-shirt sale and auction to benefit the 52-year-old mother of two sons, Steve, 33, and Andrew, 30, both Maine residents.

The fundraiser was organized by residents of Old Orchard Beach, where an effort is underway to find Rand a handicapped accessible home on donated land. Rand was standing near the finish line when the bomb went off.

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Her good friend, Krystle Campbell, 29, of Medford, Mass., was killed in the blast while the man standing next to her lost both of his legs.

Rand, who has tried to keep a low profile since the blast, has found herself returning to Maine regularly during her recuperation.

“I am a Maine girl. All my family is here. I thought it would be a good therapy to be someplace that makes me happy,” said Rand.

Donations may be made to the Karen Rand fund at the Town and Country Federal Credit Union Credit Union, 557 Main St., South Portland.


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