Randy Hodge, a charter member of the Young Adults Optimist Club (now revoked), willing accept an invitation to visit and chat with members of the Best End Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI) Club at their weekly meeting on Wed 12 February 2014. He was invited to speak to the children about his experience now that he is confined to a wheelchair and how his life has changed after being shot exactly 2 years ago on 12 February 2012.
Ms Celestine John, Principal of the Morris Vanterpool Primary School was very pleased that he agreed to visit the Club and had other students attend the Club meeting. From 12:30 to 1:30pm Randy chatted with the children and answered their questions. It was an extremely moving session and the children were very concerned and attentive.
They asked relevant and probing questions which showed a depth of understanding and curiosity beyond their years. One little girl asked if he’d lost a kidney since he told them he was shot in his side. They were concerned about how much blood he’d lost when he was shot; did need a blood transfusion; who were the first responders; who called 911 for him; does he still have pain, especially from the bullet still in his body; can he still play with his 7-year old daughter; can he still stand, even though he cannot feel his legs; does he know who shot him; what do the therapy sessions that he attends do…and many, many other questions.
Randy’s main messages were to encourage everyone to live as one Anguillian family and to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers; report wrong when we see or know of it happening; avoid guns and violence; study hard and work to the best of your ability; don’t lash out in anger or respond to anger with anger; be considerate of others; be respectful and always give God thanks for his mercies – he said “any one of those bullets could have killed me and I was shot four times, I am thankful to be alive.” One bullet is still lodged in his upper shoulder. He also gave much praise to the staff of The Princess Alexandra Hospital where he was stabilised, thus enabling him to travel to Panama for further medical attention.
Randy has indicated that he would be happy to speak to any group of children and young people if a mutually convenient time and place can be agreed. Getting up and down stairs, requires lifting him and his chair as there are not many wheel chair friendly public places in Anguilla.
– Contributed
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
