On November 16, 2009, I was a victim of senseless gun violence. I was shot in the head by a stray bullet while waiting for the bus to go home from school. I remember waking up in a hospital, unable to move or speak. It’s been 10 years, and I am still in therapy. Some days I wish I died in that coma because I struggle every moment with PTSD, depression, disassociation disorder and seizures. I spent two weeks in a coma, then I learned that the bullet damaged the cognitive portion of my brain so I had to relearn everything. I went from being a high school student to having the mental ability of a kindergartner. Today I am still in college. I tried to make something of myself after my ordeal; I’ve managed to keep a job for eight years now, but I still do have my dark moments that force me to take a leave of absence. I will never give up on this life. No matter how bad it gets. My name is Vada Vasquez, and I am a Gun Violence Survivor.