Cameron's Journey to Recovery
Donation protected
Still Standing, by Standing Still
(Disclaimer: This post is long, but PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY TO THE END)
On December 16, 2019, I graduated from Tidewater Community College with my Welding Certification at the age of 20. It was a joyous moment, and everyone was so proud, including myself. On December 19, 2019 (three days later), I became the victim; no let me rephrase that, the survivor of a crime.
The year 2019 was extremely productive for me. I worked full-time, was a full-time college student, volunteered for the March of Dimes, and obtained my driver’s license all in that same year. One of the friends I met volunteering was abducted the day after attending my graduation. Her aunt, whom she resided with, was hysterical. A group of us went to the aunt’s home to console her and assist in any way we could. No one knew that two rival gangs in Virginia Beach were targeting people in white cars because someone had murdered one of their gang members; and was seen leaving the scene in a white car. As I pulled up to the aunt’s house and was getting out of my car, shots rang out from two people who were running down the street shooting. I was driving my WHITE Altima; therefore, I became a target. I was hit twice, once in my rear right thigh, and once in my lower back. The bullet in my back left me with an incomplete L1 & L2 spinal cord injury, and the inability to control my bladder and bowels. I was paralyzed from the waist down and emotionally devastated. My spine is intact, but my nerves are severely damaged due to the extremely hard jolt my spine took from the bullet.
After being in the ICU for a few days, I was moved to a regular room in Virginia Beach General. I spent three weeks in Virginia Beach General and was finally accepted into a program that specializes in rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries. On January 10, 2020, my mother and I were airlifted to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Ga. The flight seemed to last forever because I was experiencing excruciating pain, and mentally, as well as emotionally, I was depleted. The first three days at the Shepherd Center, I was in so much pain that it was unbearable. My chest was hurting, and I was having trouble breathing. My mom stayed by my side and kept telling the nurses that something was wrong. They said it might be gas, but my mom knew it was something else. Finally, my doctor came in and immediately had me rushed to Piedmont Hospital (right next door) for tests. Come to find out, I had developed three blood clots in my legs; one of which traveled into my lungs. They immediately sent me into surgery to have an IVC filter put in. I was knocking on death’s door and did not even know it.
I stayed at the Shepherd Center until the middle of March, where I received top-of-the-line care and therapy. I participated in physical, occupational, aquatic, and mental health therapy. I was even blessed with the opportunity to scuba dive on my 21st birthday while at the Shepherd Center. I met so many awesome people while there, and they truly helped me mentally and emotionally. My mom made a family collage on a cork board in my room so that I could remember the level of support I had back at home. She would also right a scripture and/or inspirational quote on the dry erase board in my room every day. My mom has prayed with me and encouraged me to talk to God, even when I had no desire to do so. She wiped my tears and held me close when the nerve pain was unbearable, while also serving as my advocate with doctors to help me get some relief. My mom has truly been my rock through all of this. I know it has been hard on her because she has also been trying to support my older brother who is preparing for his second cornea transplant (he had the first one at age 19). He has Keratoconus which is a progressive eye disease that distorts his vision because the cornea becomes thin and cone shaped.
When we came back to Virginia, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. Things were shutting down all over the place. I was able to participate in physical therapy for a few months with Sentara and began seeing a urologist to address my bladder and bowel issues. Due to my injury, multiple appointments, and health needs, my mom put her career on hold and resigned from her job with Portsmouth Public Schools after 17 years in order to be my full-time caregiver. I try not to blame myself, but that is incredibly hard at times.
I now have feeling down to the top of my calves and can stand with the assistance of a walker, although I am still primarily confined to my wheelchair. After I was discharged from Sentara’s physical therapy program, my mother found a specialized program at the Indian River YMCA. There I participate in strength and endurance training, aquatic therapy, walking with my walker, and getting treatment with a Theragun for muscle soreness and pain relief.
I post my progress on Instagram in an effort to be an inspiration to others dealing with paralysis or struggling to deal with “life on life’s terms”. My mom always tells me that my attitude and mental health is just as important, if not more so, than my physical health. I am determined to walk again and regain my independence. I refuse to succumb to the devil’s ploy to ruin my life. I know that God has my back, and He will never put more on me than I can bear. When I could no longer fight, cry, or continue to battle depression, I have to just stand. That is why I entitled this “Still Standing by Standing Still” Exodus 14:14 says “The Lord will fight for you; you just need only to be still.” Please remember that I am a “SURVIVOR” of a crime, NOT a victim, and I must remind myself of this daily.
I am asking for your financial support because I was recently accepted in a program in Stratham, NH called Project Walk-Boston: A Paralysis Recovery Center. The program will help me to reach my goal to walk again and regain my independence. I need this assistance ASAP (by the middle of June) so that I do not lose my spot. For visiting/out-of-town clients, the program costs $2,200 per week (4 hours per day/5 days per week). I would need to be there "at least" 8-weeks (Total = $17,600). Then we have to pay to live in that area for the duration of treatment. They partner with a local hotel (Hampton Inn & Suites), but even with the 15% discount, the cost is $600 per week (Total = $4,800). Once the staff at Project Walk complete my initial assessment/evaluation, it may be determined that I need more than 8 weeks of therapy. My mom and I also have to cover the cost of travel, food, and bills that still have to be paid back in Virginia since my mom will not be working during this time. Also, if you have connections related to housing/lodging that can assist us, instead of this hotel, please let me know. It takes a lot for me to ask for help, but sometimes you have not because you ask not. I truly NEED YOUR HELP!!
Thank you and God Bless You All!!
(Disclaimer: This post is long, but PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY TO THE END)
On December 16, 2019, I graduated from Tidewater Community College with my Welding Certification at the age of 20. It was a joyous moment, and everyone was so proud, including myself. On December 19, 2019 (three days later), I became the victim; no let me rephrase that, the survivor of a crime.
The year 2019 was extremely productive for me. I worked full-time, was a full-time college student, volunteered for the March of Dimes, and obtained my driver’s license all in that same year. One of the friends I met volunteering was abducted the day after attending my graduation. Her aunt, whom she resided with, was hysterical. A group of us went to the aunt’s home to console her and assist in any way we could. No one knew that two rival gangs in Virginia Beach were targeting people in white cars because someone had murdered one of their gang members; and was seen leaving the scene in a white car. As I pulled up to the aunt’s house and was getting out of my car, shots rang out from two people who were running down the street shooting. I was driving my WHITE Altima; therefore, I became a target. I was hit twice, once in my rear right thigh, and once in my lower back. The bullet in my back left me with an incomplete L1 & L2 spinal cord injury, and the inability to control my bladder and bowels. I was paralyzed from the waist down and emotionally devastated. My spine is intact, but my nerves are severely damaged due to the extremely hard jolt my spine took from the bullet.
After being in the ICU for a few days, I was moved to a regular room in Virginia Beach General. I spent three weeks in Virginia Beach General and was finally accepted into a program that specializes in rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries. On January 10, 2020, my mother and I were airlifted to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Ga. The flight seemed to last forever because I was experiencing excruciating pain, and mentally, as well as emotionally, I was depleted. The first three days at the Shepherd Center, I was in so much pain that it was unbearable. My chest was hurting, and I was having trouble breathing. My mom stayed by my side and kept telling the nurses that something was wrong. They said it might be gas, but my mom knew it was something else. Finally, my doctor came in and immediately had me rushed to Piedmont Hospital (right next door) for tests. Come to find out, I had developed three blood clots in my legs; one of which traveled into my lungs. They immediately sent me into surgery to have an IVC filter put in. I was knocking on death’s door and did not even know it.
I stayed at the Shepherd Center until the middle of March, where I received top-of-the-line care and therapy. I participated in physical, occupational, aquatic, and mental health therapy. I was even blessed with the opportunity to scuba dive on my 21st birthday while at the Shepherd Center. I met so many awesome people while there, and they truly helped me mentally and emotionally. My mom made a family collage on a cork board in my room so that I could remember the level of support I had back at home. She would also right a scripture and/or inspirational quote on the dry erase board in my room every day. My mom has prayed with me and encouraged me to talk to God, even when I had no desire to do so. She wiped my tears and held me close when the nerve pain was unbearable, while also serving as my advocate with doctors to help me get some relief. My mom has truly been my rock through all of this. I know it has been hard on her because she has also been trying to support my older brother who is preparing for his second cornea transplant (he had the first one at age 19). He has Keratoconus which is a progressive eye disease that distorts his vision because the cornea becomes thin and cone shaped.
When we came back to Virginia, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. Things were shutting down all over the place. I was able to participate in physical therapy for a few months with Sentara and began seeing a urologist to address my bladder and bowel issues. Due to my injury, multiple appointments, and health needs, my mom put her career on hold and resigned from her job with Portsmouth Public Schools after 17 years in order to be my full-time caregiver. I try not to blame myself, but that is incredibly hard at times.
I now have feeling down to the top of my calves and can stand with the assistance of a walker, although I am still primarily confined to my wheelchair. After I was discharged from Sentara’s physical therapy program, my mother found a specialized program at the Indian River YMCA. There I participate in strength and endurance training, aquatic therapy, walking with my walker, and getting treatment with a Theragun for muscle soreness and pain relief.
I post my progress on Instagram in an effort to be an inspiration to others dealing with paralysis or struggling to deal with “life on life’s terms”. My mom always tells me that my attitude and mental health is just as important, if not more so, than my physical health. I am determined to walk again and regain my independence. I refuse to succumb to the devil’s ploy to ruin my life. I know that God has my back, and He will never put more on me than I can bear. When I could no longer fight, cry, or continue to battle depression, I have to just stand. That is why I entitled this “Still Standing by Standing Still” Exodus 14:14 says “The Lord will fight for you; you just need only to be still.” Please remember that I am a “SURVIVOR” of a crime, NOT a victim, and I must remind myself of this daily.
I am asking for your financial support because I was recently accepted in a program in Stratham, NH called Project Walk-Boston: A Paralysis Recovery Center. The program will help me to reach my goal to walk again and regain my independence. I need this assistance ASAP (by the middle of June) so that I do not lose my spot. For visiting/out-of-town clients, the program costs $2,200 per week (4 hours per day/5 days per week). I would need to be there "at least" 8-weeks (Total = $17,600). Then we have to pay to live in that area for the duration of treatment. They partner with a local hotel (Hampton Inn & Suites), but even with the 15% discount, the cost is $600 per week (Total = $4,800). Once the staff at Project Walk complete my initial assessment/evaluation, it may be determined that I need more than 8 weeks of therapy. My mom and I also have to cover the cost of travel, food, and bills that still have to be paid back in Virginia since my mom will not be working during this time. Also, if you have connections related to housing/lodging that can assist us, instead of this hotel, please let me know. It takes a lot for me to ask for help, but sometimes you have not because you ask not. I truly NEED YOUR HELP!!
Thank you and God Bless You All!!
Organizer
Angela Greene
Organizer
Suffolk, VA
