On April 12, 2013, I went to work at New River Community College, having no idea that later that day I would be leaving in an ambulance with bullet wounds in my hand.
The gunman tried to shoot me six times but was unable to get the safety off his weapon. I was able to run and hide in a small room, and he shot me through the door. He came back and shot through the door again.
I live every day with the visual scars and physical pain that remind me of what happened, and the emotional trauma that reminds me it isn’t over yet. Eventually the media moves on and the cards stop coming, but survivors live every day with the effects of gun violence
I’m thankful to have survived the worst day of my life — and to be able to use my voice and my story to fight for better gun laws and to advocate for victims so that we can get the help we need.
It’s easy to look away from the effects of gun violence if you’ve never personally experienced it. Always remember that if gun violence is your neighbor’s problem, it’s your problem too.