Atlanta Prosecutor Shot and Paralyzed by Estranged Husband

My intro to the world of SCI was when a friend of mine was shot through the wall of her apartment, an accident by a 3yo playing with a parent's gun that was not secured. Her spinal cord was severed, and she was T9 complete. Her husband left her because he couldn't deal with the change (ie, in the bedroom). My friend had to move to an accessible apartment, and was on welfare temporarily. The apartment was on 2 floors!!! Not accessible in kitchen or bathroom. I researched and designed changes she would need, and her church paid for materials, and I and another friend did the work. (BTW, state was so impressed with what we did that we were hired to re-do three more apartments to make them truly accessible.) She went back to school to finish her degree that was interrupted by her marrying, supporting his schooling, and raising their 2 children. Her life was a triumph over very bad circumstances.

Unfortunately, domestic abuse--physical and emotional--is a fact of life in many countries. Shooting someone is an extreme form, but this woman survived and will hopefully be able to get the care and re-training she needs to live a full life. Shepherd Center is one of the best SCI rehabs in the USA. It is more of a tragedy that an intentional act led to this disruption of a young life.  April McConnell had just filed for divorce after being separated for several months, and she and a male were both shot inside a car by her estranged husband.  She came close to dying from her wounds, and never thought her husband would be violent because "he was never abusive physically to me, or mentally degrading or demeaning to me."   Sometimes people just flip out when they are near the breaking point from a life situation.  She is hoping to be able to return to her work as an Assistant District Attorney.