Stand with Sam

Domestic Violence Survivor *Read about this beautiful miracle* Samantha's story: On October 22, 2020, Samantha Irizarry my beautiful niece is a domestic violence survivor. Her life was almost taken from us when she was shot six times by her ex-boyfriend from only several feet away. Sadly, he then turned the gun to himself and took his own life. Most of the bullets struck her in the back and one of them pierced her neck. Samantha’s younger cousin and two friends who were with her that night carried her into the car and rushed her to the hospital. On the way, she asked them to call her mother. As she was clinging on to life, she told her mother: “Mom, I’m dying. I love you.” Upon arriving at the hospital, doctors believed Samantha would not survive. With the grace of God, she made it out of two major surgeries and was alert and responsive. Unexpectedly, on October 30th, she experienced an unusually high fever causing sudden cardiac arrest and was told there might be brain injury. Unfortunately, an MRI scan cannot be taken due to the bullet fragments lodged in her, making it impossible to determine the extent of her brain injury. For a month, Samantha was in a coma with no signs of recovering. During this time, family and friends would continue to gather at the hospital daily to pray and remind each other that her destiny is on God’s time. On December 2nd, Samantha showed her first sign of being alert as she was able to stick out her tongue upon request from the nurse. Every so often, she surprises us with a smile to remind us of how she is such a beautiful, loving and kind human being. Anyone who knows Samantha would describe her as the sweetest person in the world who loves spending quality time with family and friends. She has an incredible sense of humor--always laughing and making everyone around her feel so loved. Samantha is a Dean’s List student in her final year at William Paterson University, completing her BA in Business and Finance. Prior to the incident, she was determined to break barriers and smash glass ceilings in leading her startup company. She is the co-founder of a technology startup that is committed to providing the world with interactive live-streaming experiences, and a way to have fun. Samantha's future is bright just like the light that shines in her. Sadly, Samantha has suffered traumatic injuries that include spinal cord and brain injury as well as paralysis from the shoulders down and on a ventilator. By the grace of God, no major organs were pierced by the bullets—although she suffers cognitive impairments and experiences neurological and respiratory complications. With your financial support, we can provide the best care and rehabilitation possible for Samantha’s Journey to Optimal Health. With your prayers, we will continue to have faith that she regain her independence & will be a walking testimony. We would like to thank our family, friends, and all those who have been praying and sending well wishes for Samantha’s recovery. If you are in a position to make a donation, we would greatly appreciate it. Funds will be allocated toward her medical expenses incurred thus far, and future expenses that will not be covered by her insurance (which are anticipated to be enormous) and to make accommodations to her home (build an ICU room). Again, thank you for your support!

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