Stoneham Volunteer Reacts One Month After Marathon Bombing

After the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, Stoneham resident Carl Conui has spent the past month thinking about that tragic day while also attending several fundraisers.

Dr. Carl Conui, who has performed surgeries at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, helped the injured during the bombings. Conui, 44, a podiatrist who works for New England Foot & Ankle Specialists which has offices in Reading and Somerville, has served as a volunteer at the Boston Marathon for about 15 years. 

"Doing well one month after the bombings with definitely a thought of resilience," he said. "Today I am working hard back in practice still mentioning the marathon as I have not seen some patients since that time period."

Conui, who had considered seeking counseling to deal with the aftermath of the bombings, said he ultimately did not need a counselor's support.

"I did not seek counseling even though I didn't have a problem doing it because I was able to have a great deal of support from family and friends," Conui said.

Conui said he is the coach/manager of a softball team in Newton that just started and this year they will be looking to have a Boston Strong-inspired uniform. "I was acknowledged from the Newton Police Department (they are our rivals as we won the championship last year), stating how proud they were of what I did as a volunteer," he said.

For the past month, Conui said he made a promise to himself that "no matter what...I would wear my volunteer medical jacket from the marathon until today but will probably wear it at the Heather Abbott fundraiser down in Newport this Sunday (too)."

Since the bombings, Conui has remained active, attending five fundraisers in Boston, and he will also attend a fundraiser in Stoneham on May 24.

"I have just received my volunteer form from the B.A.A. for the 10K that is happening in October," he said. "Our practice is trying to figure out if there is anything we can offer to the victims that were affected besides offering some silent auction things.

"I, along with a great deal of family and friends, have supported local Boston businesses including the Saturday after (the bombings) as close to Boylston (Street) as possible."