August 10th, 1999 was just another normal day at my Jewish Community Center Summer Camp in Los Angeles when I heard loud bangs, while I was walking with my counselor. She and I were both shot, along with two other camp mates of mine and the front desk receptionist. The shooter then fled the scene and murdered a Filipino mail man that he saw. The shooter was a Neo-Nazi and KKK member.
I’m 31 years old today and the scenes are something that I replay daily. It still feels like yesterday, but I’ve found ways to cope and to continue living my life. As a survivor, I have to keep moving and keep creating to keep living. I like bringing joy to others as a surf and ski coach and yoga instructor. My life for years has been teaching others how to breathe and to be conscious of their movements to have more fun, but also bringing us into the present moment to take us away from memories that can keep us stuck.