When I was 17 years old, I rejected a 22-year-old young man’s advances. The man then stalked me, followed me to my family home, and shot me in the back as I ran away. As I lay on the ground, the man put the gun to my face and pulled the trigger. The gun jammed and he fled. I flatlined that day in the emergency room. After 12 hours of surgery, I survived.
In the years that followed, I struggled to find services and healthcare providers that understood how to treat me. I had to become my own advocate and research the best way to heal from such a traumatic experience. I went to school and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrative Medicine. In recent years, I found Everytown and Moms Demand Action to be the family I didn’t realize I desperately needed. The resources and support offered to gun violence survivors have ignited a passion in me to make sure that no survivor is ever alone in their healing journey. Now, I strive to share Survivor resources with others in the community. If you are in need of services, text SURVIVOR to 64433.