Six months ago, 7 year old Janay Moguel grabbed the national headlines after she was innocently shot in a wild shooting spree at the corner of Faber's Road and Central American Boulevard.
The once lively child, cut down so suddenly by paralysis and the prospect that she may never walk again, came to embody the very definition of senseless violence - a symbol of very sorry times.
But she never asked for all that to be thrust upon her, all this standard one student wanted was what any other child would want, to continue in school, play with her friends and be with her very strong family.
But on February second, all that changed when she was shot to the shoulder and the bullet damaged her spine. Since then, her family's life has been turned upside down. IT ahs been the six most difficult months imaginable, and today she and her mom returned from Birmingham Alabama where she has been receiving extensive treatment and therapy. She returned today and Monica Bodden was there:.....
Monica Bodden Reporting
She came off the plane in a wheelchair. After six months of therapy in the US. She is back at home and her mother says - there is no better feeling.
Rose Moguel, Mother
"It's so overwhelming, I am so happy to see my whole family out here. It's been a lot, a real lot to have the support of my family now. It really means a lot to me."
Because of her injury, little Janay is unable to move her left arm and her two legs. And with all of the therapy done in the US, She is still paralyzed.
Rose Moguel, Mother
"Janay right now is paralyze and we will have to be back and forth because they are still not certain if they are going to do the surgery on her left arm where she got the shot. So we have to go back and the doctors are going to run some more tests and then they will decide if they are going to do that surgery."
The reason for the hold up in Janay's surgery is that doctors in the US have seen some improvement in the movement of her arm.
Rose Moguel, Mother
"They have seen some improvements in that arm and so they are going to wait a few more months and then do some tests again ten decide if they are going to that tendon transfer."
Monica Bodden
"What's the chances for Janay to actually walk again?"
Rose Moguel, Mother
"Well it is a spinal cord injury complete meaning that its little to no chance but we have a lot of faith and hope and we pray a lot and we believe with God its possible."
6 months later and 7 year old Janay has shown massive improvement.
Rose Moguel, Mother
"Since we were over there it has change a lot. She has really improved. When we left she couldn't move her neck, she couldn't sit up, but after all the therapy and all the different medications and all that that she is on, she has definitely improve. One could only imagine being away from your family, this tragedy happen and you don't have any immediate family there with you. I was alone for the lost part and so it was really a challenge."
And while she is much spoken for and much spoken about - this once active 7 year old proved she can talk for herself.
Monica Bodden
"How do you feel being back home?"
Janay Moguel
"Good."
Monica Bodden
"When you saw all your family, your grandmother, you dad and everybody, how was it for you?"
Janay Moguel
"Good, very good."
Janay will have to return for follow up treatment before the end of the year....
