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Dawn will be featured on "Regis and Kelly" the week of May 9th!- more details to follow. Audio slide Show from Virginian-Pilot http://hamptonroads.com/2007/12/peace-dawn Apr 21 2008
Dec 16 2007 These past months have been the longest and hardest I have ever experienced; yet, they have brought my family and friends a closeness we will treasure forever. The bonds I have with my closest friends have became stronger. I have struggled through the physical and mental battles of being a quadriplegic; through the materialism of my appearance in today's society, and wonder what is my spiritual calling and reason I survived. My life was wrapped around my daily 10 mile runs and 72 laps in the army pool; I strived to be the fittest I had ever been; my goal was to experience a triathlon by my 31st birthday. I saw myself as a 5'9 beautiful woman; I loved how all the hard work I done sculpted my body and now I can barely get one leg into my size 8 jeans. I read an e-mail I recently received and this gentlemen worded perfectly how I see myself now...he explained how he too loved to run but because of his struggles with cancer it left his body a shell of it's former self....indeed these bullets that pierced my body did the same. These struggles will be a part of my life to the end, but I know as time continues they will get easier. I still strive to be the fittest as my body allows, to look as nice as I can; yet, life has a different meaning now. There were times I laid in my hospital bed and wondered why bad thing happen to good people; why the loving God I grew to know and love would let such tragic events happen. I now know he can not intervene and stop our free will he gave us; yet, he try's to make good thing come out of a bad situation. I now know there is a reason I survived 5 bullets. It has been seven months since that night on May 2 and I have tried to prepare myself on seeing these four kids who held guns to my head once again; this time I knew they could not harm my family and that they had to face their crimes and be punished. Their sentencing was fast approaching and on the plane ride to Virginia I wondered how my girls would act upon seeing these individuals in the courtroom. Thursday December 13, 2007 I found myself on the witness stand starring straight in the eyes of what I called my enemy; I did not let him intimidate me the night of May 2 and I was determined not to let him do it to me that day either. For the next 3 sentencings I found myself doing the same. I learned that the reason one of the shooters fired at me and my girls was because he did not want us to identify him; I faced one of the robbers mother whom was sincere and apologetic about the choices her son made that night. I had my closest friends there supporting me during these crazy days and I am grateful that they were able to share these days with me...that they were there to support me and my girls....THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!! These sentencings were intense and left me emotionally drained, but I am glad they are over and I can put them behind me. The two shooters got life plus 173 days and the other 123 years. Afterwards, I was asked a questioned that left me emotionally in turmoil....was justice served with the judges decision. I was left without any words and wondered how I should feel about it. I finally realized to me justice would be served with these kids being shot five times leaving them without their legs and arms; leaving them with the daily physical neurological pain of their skin feeling like gasoline was poured on them followed by a lit match being tossed on them; with the pain that feels like knives are constantly being stabbed in them; with the loss of their bladder and bowels or the incapability to cough or roll over in bed or even sit up. I want them to never be able to feel an itch or the touch of a butterfly landing on their body. I want them to live with the daily pain of stiffen swollen joints caused by how the spinal cord was singed by the bullet. To live a life never being able to stand.....but I am happy they will never be able to hurt anyone else again. I still have limited function in my hands but they have gotten much stronger; feeling has come back in my stomach and I have some sensation to the touch of my legs. This feeling however feels numb and as if my body fell asleep and is waking up...this is my new feeling and sensation. My pain continues and my body has learned to tolerate it; however there are nights I am left bed ridden from the pain. I am up to lifting 40 pounds and, with my husband holding my legs in a push up position, doing 81 push ups. I continue with healing my body and learning how to live on my own. I will never have the energy as I did prior to the event and get tired easily, I now live a slower life. I am ready to start driving again and to go back to school. I have beat the odds and I am grateful to have lived. Aug 11 2007 - Dawn's own words I would like to begin by saying thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. I am almost done with in-patient care and will continue with outpatient care for a while. I have gotten much stronger, but still have a ways to go in gaining strength. I count all my blessings every day and have realized how fragile the human body is...for I never thought I would ever have to face such a challenge in my life. However, the most important thing I have learned is to appreciate all that God has given you...never take that for granted. I am lucky to have such a supportive family and friends to help me through the difficult times. I am learning how to do new things each day...you would not believe how hard it is to get dressed, but it gets easier each day; however it still takes almost 30 minutes to do. As my fingers get stronger my typing gets better...my handwriting however still needs work...I am lucky enough to have the ability to still have the use of my fingers. I would love the pain in them to go away...one day I hope. Kayla and Destyni, my two girls, are doing good....they are getting ready for school to start. They will continue to live with their grandparents until I finish outpatient care. I miss them so much...this is the first time I have ever been away from them...so these past few months have been difficult being away from them...however they are only 6 hours away so they have been here to visit three times...which I have treasured. I have not been able to move my legs yet but have increased sensation in them...especially in my right leg. I am able to tell which direction my right leg is in without looking which is a huge accomplishment for me. I had increased sensation in my back, however on my front side I still cannot feel from my chest down. So in God's time maybe one day I will be able to feel more or/and walk again. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. Dawn has a long road of recovery ahead of her and we ask for
everyone’s prayers while she goes through her long stage of recovery
and physical therapy. Her
and her family greatly appreciates all the support everyone has given to
her in her time of need. To help the Weiss family please go to donations. CURRENT IMAGES
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