My name is Dawn Akira. Roberts. I’ve fought through more battles than I ever imagined: two brain surgeries due to having the chronic illness Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, two spinal fusion surgeries due to a childhood car accident, and chronic illnesses caused by working many years in the DDA field and being pulled on consistently. I have also survived domestic violence in my past.

On June 7, 2024, I married my love, James. Just weeks later, on July 19, 2024, I gave birth to my miracle baby girl. Doctors told me many times that due to PCOS, I would never have children, but against all odds, my daughter arrived early at 34 weeks through an emergency C-section. All while spending almost a month in the hospital and missing my own baby shower prior to her arrival. The delivery was terrifying: my blood pressure dropped, her heart rate dropped, due to me developing severe preeclampsia. My baby spent weeks in the NICU fighting to regulate her body temperature and learn how to feed, while I remained to recover.

On July 27, 2025, my life was forever changed. I went out with family and friends to celebrate my birthday. It was my birthday weekend and this outing was a perfect way to celebrate overcoming challenges, and a successful school year with those I care about. While leaving a bar with friends in Federal Hill on S. Charles Street, gunfire erupted. I was struck; an innocent bystander caught in the middle of senseless violence. The bullet entered through my back and out my arm, breaking the bone in my arm.

I was rushed to Shock Trauma. Following that, I ended up being hospitalized for multiple days due to blood clots caused by the gunfire. Though I am now home, my recovery is long and difficult:

• I am facing partial paralysis, with only one functioning arm

• I have multiple blood clots and must remain on blood thinners

• I am unable to hold, lift, or properly take care of my baby girl on my own

• I may need additional surgeries and extensive rehabilitation

I am also unable to work, and I have exhausted all my leave. While I have health insurance, it does not cover the full cost of medical care, therapy, surgeries, or daily needs. Meanwhile, bills continue to mount.

Despite all of this, I remain determined to heal, for my husband, for my baby, and for the future I’m still building. I am in my final year of graduate school for Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and my passion is helping people with disabilities find employment. But right now, I need help myself.

Your support will help cover medical expenses not covered by insurance, as well as living costs while I am out of work due to ongoing medical issues resulting from this senseless violence.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing with me during this journey. Every act of kindness, whether through donations, prayers, or simply sharing my story, means the world to me and my family as we face this long road to recovery.