Opinion: A Life-Altering Experience in Uvalde: The Unforgettable Impact on a 12-year-old and Friends
Discover the profound impact of surviving a shooting through the eyes of a 12-year-old from Uvalde Journalist Danielle Campoamor unveils the lasting effects on children's lives in the aftermath of such a traumatic event
On May 24, 2022, Daniel Ruiz, a fourth-grader at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, bravely escaped the tragic shooting incident that took the lives of 19 of his classmates and two teachers. Daniel managed to climb through broken glass from classroom 109 to reach safety.
Daniel, who is now 11, reveals that the carefree and joyful child he once was, before that tragic day, did not endure the horrific event. He states that no one he knows remains unchanged after such an ordeal.
Danielle Campoamor
Ashley Batz
"Sometimes, when my anxiety takes over, I wish I could go back to fourth grade and wake up from this terrible nightmare," Daniel expressed. "My loved ones and I will never be the same...I long for the happiness I used to feel. It frustrates me that I can't quiet my racing thoughts or escape the fear of potential harm."
Gun violence, as reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is the leading cause of death among children in the United States. Shockingly, approximately 132 individuals lose their lives to gun-related injuries each day. However, these alarming statistics fail to truly describe the long-lasting devastation caused by acts of gun violence.
The children who are left behind are burdened with mental, physical, and emotional scars, just like Daniel who loses a part of his previous self. Despite having access to high-quality mental, physical, and emotional support, they encounter various challenges that greatly affect their overall well-being. Often, these battles have long-lasting consequences on their quality of life.
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After a shooting, survivors' healthcare costs skyrocketed by $34,884, marking a staggering 17.1-fold increase within one year, as revealed by a recent study published in the Health Affairs journal. It is important to note that this study only considered children with health insurance claims, excluding individuals who lack coverage or cannot afford expenses related to physical, mental, and emotional care.
Having access to healthcare coverage in the US, which is already inaccessible to many, does not guarantee full recovery for children who have experienced gun violence. Briana Ruiz, a single parent, expressed the challenges she faces in managing her children's appointments while trying to maintain her job and financial stability. The cost of healthcare and the fear of losing their home have added to her difficulties. Additionally, she cannot always afford to keep her son, Daniel, at home on bad days to ensure his mental well-being without falling behind on her bills.
Briana Ruiz, right, and her son Daniel.
Dr. Chethan Sathya, director of the Center for Gun Violence Prevention at Northwell Health, believes that if US legislators fail to pass sensible gun laws to address the growing issue of gun violence, there must be changes in the healthcare system to better support children affected by pediatric gun violence.
"So little attention has been devoted to addressing this issue," Sathya stated. "Many of the services we discuss go beyond surgical treatment... When a patient arrives with a gunshot wound, our trauma team swiftly intervenes to provide surgical care." However, her team lacks the necessary resources to offer continued support for disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, or other mental health issues that may arise in the aftermath of a shooting.
Consequently, Sathya expresses uncertainty regarding the rehabilitation resources available to patients who survive gun-related injuries.
"How can I ensure that they receive sufficient follow-up care, social work, and case management?" he inquires. "Many patients, unable to attend follow-up appointments for wound care, unfortunately develop preventable secondary infections and complications resulting solely from the surgical procedures performed to mend their wounds."
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Moreover, the plight of pediatric gunshot victims is exacerbated by the exhausted and overwhelmed state of the hospital care system. The dedicated healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, who are already battling with their own mental health challenges, grapple with shortages in staffing and unfavorable workplace conditions.
Healthcare workers are experiencing significant trauma, sadly becoming accustomed to the presence of children with gunshot wounds. This issue of gun violence has far-reaching consequences, including the immense strain it puts on an already struggling mental health care system. This system is grappling with staffing problems, particularly among clinicians from marginalized communities. Additionally, data from PEW Research Center reveals that Black children are five times more likely than their White counterparts to fall victim to gun violence.
"We require individuals to have increased access not only to training programs but also to the creation of high-quality training programs. It is essential to promote diversity and train a wide range of individuals belonging to diverse groups who can provide (mental health) services," revealed Dr. Jill Emanuel, the vice president of clinical training for the Child Mind Institute.
Moreover, Emanuel emphasizes the criticality of society as a whole placing greater emphasis on addressing the mental and emotional needs of young individuals who have survived gun violence incidents."
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As adults and caretakers of children, it is our responsibility to offer them maximum support and restore their sense of psychological safety. It should not be assumed that access to therapy alone ensures a child's well-being; ongoing conversations between caretakers and children are also crucial.
Clinicians' licensing process plays a crucial role, according to her. "Currently, we obtain licenses specific to our respective states, but there are ongoing efforts to establish cross-state licensing," explains Emanuel. She highlights that facilitating telehealth access and increasing insurance reimbursement would further eliminate obstacles in accessing long-term care for pediatric gun violence survivors.
As for Briana Ruiz, her hope is for a better understanding from others that the absence of physical harm does not equate to being unscathed and able to move forward effortlessly.
Perhaps, with a greater societal understanding, she hopes that her son can reclaim the boy he once was. No one truly comprehends the anger and uncertainty that these children must endure for the rest of their lives. In a matter of seconds, their worlds were completely upended. To this day, my son remembers the haunting sound of bullets ricocheting off objects in his classroom. He vividly recalls the pain-filled cries of his classmate and teacher who were wounded by those bullets. These experiences will not simply disappear with time.
