Tulsa Shooting Survivor

“The Woman under the desk.”

This is for Farah. Farah is my 19-year-old cousin. She is a medical assistant at Warren Clinic and absolutely loves her job and her co-workers. Farah recently married the love of her life (May 12, 2022), just got a new puppy, has a great job. She is so excited for this new chapter in her life that she has worked so hard to build. Life is good.

•Life on a dime-how quickly that can change….

•June 1st, 2022. It was a normal Wednesday. Farah was going to leave a little earlier than usual to take her puppy to the vet for a checkup. As she was leaving her co-worker asked for help with something, always happy to help- Farah stayed. Those extra few minutes will alter her life forever.

In a flash, my sweet cousin was crouched under a desk with her best friend. It all happened so fast. Gunshots rang in Farah’s ears. The gunman then stared directly at Farah. He grabbed his phone and called who she assumed was his wife- never breaking eye contact with Farah. Assuming she was next- she hugged her knees when another shot rang in Farah’s ears and the shooter was dead.

I am setting this gofundme up because as hard as it is to even type or read this.. Farah has to LIVE this.. What she has lived through is a level of trauma I cannot put words to. She’s worried about her paycheck and the future of her career. I am so incredibly thankful she is alive and still with us but this is a heavy road she has to walk.. as much as we can all try and relate we weren’t there. There truly are no words. Her very new and very amazing precious beyond words husband, Eugene put it best “Please do not just show up we can’t do any knocking or any similar sounds at the moment. As everyone understands this has been one of the most traumatizing things for anyone to have to endure. She is very sensitive to everything and she just needs time away from everyone and everything.”

I don’t know how to process this myself. She has already stated this will be a long process of therapy.. so I’m setting up this account because I love Farah- she’s family and anything I can do to help lift this horrific burden..I will do. And- all of the amazing things I have heard about Amanda and her love for Farah (from Amanda’s husband “She loved you and always told me she felt like a mother figure to you.”) this is what Amanda would do….

So all of that said: let’s be “Tulsa Strong” and wrap around my precious cousin right now.. let’s remind her she still has a reason to be here..

To the 4 precious lives lost- may you all Rest In Peace- to the 3 that worked with Farah-thank you for loving my girl and bringing life to her every single day. May we honor each of you in everything we do.

Quotes from the news:

“TPD says they found the shooter dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and at his feet, was a woman hiding under a desk, as well as one of the shooting victims laying nearby. I can’t imagine how that woman is feeling today. My prayers are with her, the victim’s loved ones, the St. Francis community and everyone who is feeling so much loss.”-

From Farah:

“I honestly don’t know where to start. I started at Warren Clinic Orthopedics a little over a year ago. Though there were nineteen different providers, each with a medical assistant of their own, I found myself the closest to the three who are now gone.

In the beginning, I worked with Dr. Phillips a lot. He was the kindest, most caring, and gentlest teddy bear of a surgeon you could meet. He gave the bestest hugs and had more wisdom than anyone I’ve ever met.

I then started helping out with Dr. Husen when her regular medical assistant was out. She was always the most patient and helpful when I was attempting to do new things with and for her. She always showed so much compassion.

And Amanda.. There are not enough words to explain the impact she has had. Amanda was the person who made you want to be better. She was constantly aiding me in my life’s problems and accomplishments. My life will never be the same without her laughs and advice.

I was that woman under the desk. The sounds, smells, and sights that occurred will forever live in my mind. It all just feels so impossible to comprehend. I loved them all and I will forever be grateful that I knew them.

I do ask that everyone please pray for their families. They all had such beautiful families. It was always a joy to hear about everyone’s precious memories.

I also ask that you pray for the rest of my ortho family who have endured what I have. We are not okay right now.”