Depression, PTSD & Trauma Recovery | Gunshot Violence Survivors Speak - Steven "B" Smith
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- čas přidán 30. 12. 2020
- B was 16 years old when he was shot. By his best friend. With his own gun. His friend was joking around when the gun went off and a bullet went through B’s neck. It clipped his spinal cord. It was an accident that changed the trajectory of B’s life. B now shares his mental health recovery story, living with #depression, #trauma, and #PTSD.
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B is actually Steven Smith. (Since he was a kid, he has been known by the first letter of his middle name, Brian). Today, B is a motivational speaker, mentor, author and anti-gun violence advocate.
He’s also an awesome storyteller who shares his journey of recovery in the latest of our four-part series “Beyond the Bullet: Gunshot Violence Survivors Speak.” The series presents members of the Gun Violence Survivors’ Support Group, based in #Philadelphia, who tell of their journeys of pain and healing, isolation and community, and, most beautifully, stories of recovery, love and support.
Why did B have a gun in the first place? Well, B says, it was in his house because he was a player “in the game” of selling drugs.
“I got into the game for popularity and to be able to talk to girls. That was my biggest thing. But when you get into the game, all of that comes along with it. You never really know. The drug dealing, the gun violence, carrying guns, hanging around different people, getting involved with a lot of stupid crap. Fighting. All of that comes along with the game.”
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Now #paralyzed, B found himself drowning in depression, frustration, and anger. He was 16 years old, unable to walk and breathe on his own, and mad at the world. He didn’t have any interest in participating in therapies that would help him try to make the most of his new life.
However, B had a turning point when a caregiver at the recovery community pushed him to reconsider. Her tough love did the trick.
“I thought, ‘Either you’re going to live or die. Do you want to be dirty? Do you want to smell bad? Do you want to get dressed and be sort of your normal self? I know things are different, but do you want to be ‘sort of’ your normal self?’ I had an epiphany and I just thought to myself, ‘You know what? I’m going to try it.’”
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🎥 Watch all of the Beyond The Bullet short films here:
• Depression & Gun Viole...
All of the voices in this series deserve our attention. Their lives are the window into the very human suffering that gun violence has on our society, and their stories are filled with a strength and resilience that is awe-inspiring.
📲 If you want to learn more about B, check out his website:
www.blessed4greatness.com
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He returned to school and began to build his new life. Through years of hard work, B now focuses on the #positive energy that he wants to share with the world. Today B is uncle to 14 nieces and nephews, host of the podcast “Ya Connect,” and a volunteer mentor for people who are new to spinal cord injuries. He also travels around to high schools to share his story to promote gun violence awareness and help prevent another tragedy.
“I think about people that have it worse than me. I’m fine. I tell people, don’t let the wheelchair and the ventilator fool you. I’m fine.”
“I want my legacy to be that I was a fighter.”
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A year ago I was attacked in a bathroom by someone I didn't know, I woke up 2 weeks later after being in a coma on Easter, 1 day before my birthday. I had tubes everywhere, my neck, stomach, my genitals. I had a tramautic brain injury, I couldn't talk to well at first because I had a hole under my throat, I had to re-learn to walk and I am fully angry that some coward could do this to me. I can walk now but I still have major fatigue problems and ptsd. I am inspired by your attitude and grateful I'm still able bodied and have my mind, hopefully I get better but if I don't well it's out of my control. God bless.
Thank you for sharing your story, and heartbroken to know you've been going through this. Honored to hear that B's story spoke to you and is bringing some inspiration your way.
I survived a lot. I was in a coma as a kid and survived. Luckily I had a little better turn out where I didn’t have to relearn. Then some other traumas in life . Then i witnessed loosing my father to gun violence. And I thought I over came these things but recently one more thing came up in life and I have reached my ultimate breaking point. I’m in therapy but it helps 1% to hear other stories out there 🥹😫
After being a victim of gun violence myself, this is very inspiring
thank you for watching and leaving your message. We hope that you are doing well.
Ditto, I have a bullet lodge in my spine (was lucky a couple millimeters and I would have been paralyzed) it’s been there the last 15 years and recently I have been going through a lot of extreme pain, almost not being able to move at all . I’m suppose to get an X-ray to see if it’s possible for me to get an mri and see what’s wrong. It’s hard for me to discuss the situation. Is there a way I can reach Steven B Smith? I’m concerned as I myself am a father. My story growing up was exactly how he described his story smart intelligent and hanging out with the wrong people. This may be the first time I ever mentioned it and it inspired me. Thank you
I feel you . I was shot 5 times in 2021 . I’m glad to still be here .
I got shot on June 2nd this year, along with my younger brother and our friend. I’m 22 weeks pregnant. I vividly remember the burning sensation and how painful the hospital visits were/are when it came to changing my bandages. I’m so lucky that all three of us survived. It’s a sad situation that affects everyone and the families involved too. I know it hurts my mom to know both her children got shot, and to constantly see the pain we’re going through. Gun violence is no joke and I wish people valued human life more. All it would’ve took was me not listening to my instincts and I could’ve got shot somewhere else, closer range, or shot in my stomach. Thank God I’m alive
I just got shot below L5 about a month ago and when it happened I dropped without being able to move my legs seeing my whole life pass by me and I’m 3 weeks out of the hospital and im able to walk pee and poop I just look back at my life give thanks for giving me one more chance , Live ur life to the fullest life Is very short I hope u don’t realize that too late
Honored you found your way to this video and hope it has brought some hope to you on your recovery path; sending all good your way.
Do you limp
I was recently shot in my abdomen. I died twice. It hit my iliac artery, small bowel and my ureter. I essentially was bleeding to death internally. I was 3 mins from the emergency room. The man who shot me has not been found and also has warrants in other states for attempted murder. The anxiety, panic attacks, ptsd etc are crippling. I’m depressed. I can’t be in crowed places. The bullet is still in me very close to that artery. It scares the hell out of me
Stay strong you aren't alone! Hope you have loved ones that support you! I have a fragment in my leg close to one of my arteries. I believe in you and wish you the best! ❤️
@@tilarharris4327 thank you 🙏🏽 that means a lot ❤️❤️
Powerful to read more of your story and hoping that you are getting more support on this journey; we are honored to have you here in our community, Sarah Jane.
Moving to see connection in the comments, thank you for taking a moment to respond, Tilar.
I got shot on the right side of my chest with a .40 caliber hollow point bullet. It tore up my axillary artery and the nerve that controls my right arm. As soon as it hit my right went limp it gave me a Brachial Plexus injury... Luckily 11 months later I got movement back probably like 85% my right hand is still numb
J. C., what a story, and what a recovery; thank you for sharing some of your journey with us.
How are you now?
I’m 16 and I got shot 4 times one shot to the neck, my back, my shoulder, and my jaw and I had my whole jaw reconstructed with metal and ever since my face ain’t the same anymore but I’m still glad to be here.
Get out of those streets now while you can get out alive, brother. You're young. The mental trauma will haunt you for years. I got shot 9 years ago by an accidental discharge to my knee. I'm still f ed up man. You're 16 my man. You have a whole lot of life to live man. You're gonna have a hard enough battle ahead of you. The honorable life is much easier and much less stressful. You will be damned lucky if you make it out of this thing unscathed with mental trauma. This man in this video is right, it takes a true fighter to live through the trauma of going through it. Please atleast consider placing your life on the right path. You will look back at 30 and think why was I even dumb enough to place myself in situations that nothing good comes from. I wrote you because God placed it on my heart to reach out to you. I don't do many comments on YT and when I do it's usually talking smack. It's gonna be a tough road ahead my friend. You can always reach out for advice or encouragement or just someone to talk to that understands the trauma it does to you. I understand what the fallout of it is. Losing people you thought were your boys. Dudes you grew up with. Well I can tell you, those people aren't your friends. The people I were hanging out with werent my friends. Except for 1 dude. My best brother since kindergarten. If it wasn't for him, I would probably be dead. Everybody else after it happened turned on me right then and there when the times got tough. They wouldnt let me call an ambulance because they were more concerned with getting in trouble for city discharge and two ounces of weed. That's all my life was worth to these dudes that were supposed to be my boys. Then my best friend who disappeared, hell I thought he rolled on the too til he returned with a wheelchair that he scavenged off of one of the neighbors porch and he threw me in it and then threw me in his car and took off going through town going over 90 miles an hour. He said they may not of let you get the ambulance you deserve, but I'm gonna get you to the hospital faster than the ambulance would have, you're not dieing on my watch. You will find out who your true ride or dies are. Take that and learn. These people don't care about your success. You're just somebody they can use or party with.
Thank you for sharing your story! Much love to you! As a fellow gun shot survivor it's never easy. It gives me strength knowing others are going through the same thing. Love and peace!
Thanks for letting us know this film could be supportive to you. Here are all of the short films in this series: czcams.com/play/PLm4CMoNTIH6mGSwDPSDQC3pG1i_CW5h1D.html
Thank you for sharing your story. You're helping so many people. Praying for you ❤
This is very inspiring. You are a miracle
So inspiring!!!! God has a plan for you B! Keep doing what you are doing!
Thank you for the encouragement and positivity!
Such a powerful short film.
Thank you, Leah, for your note. B certainly is one of a kind.
Love his attitude!
I love you a whole lot, B 💓 💛
Thank you for the support 💙
May you heal up B, Inspiring !!!!!!!!
Thank you for the encouraging comment!
You are a blessing to all children! You are now God's instrument!
Thank you so much for watching. B is an amazing person.
I need to find a group or community that can somewhat understand , thanks for sharing
Please
I'm not a gun shot victim but I know PTSD I havd it and am in a walker wheelchair I can't walk very far at all like 10 steps then need to sit but I walked in a surgery room did not walk out . They cut my nurve endings to much and caused me to havd tk learn to stand walk again but it only lasted so long and could only walk so far I have deteriorated since then even with therapy . In need of a elipitical recumbant bike can't afford it. But the depression that comes with the trauma the pain the heart ache the change in your intire life I understand that. Totally ❤
God bless his heart🙏🏾🦾
Amen 💙
“I’m fine.”❤️
💙
i been in bed for 13 days now with a 9mm RIP self defense round 1 bullet 10 holes thru both of my legs i cant move my right left leg for nothing, yesterday i did a self operation on myself and pulled a while piece if you know what the round is out of my leg with my fingers it was the worst feeling ever. it changed me im suffering right now i feel like i got no one to talk to the smell of me is getting to me i have some small help but i cant do nothing for myself it seems god bless you guys going thru what we are all sharing, it was a accident exactly like yours but ours was in the car i was the driver and i drove back to my house 30 minutes after dropping him off at his front door right basically where it happen, all i thought about was keeping my eyes open while they got so heavy because i couldnt stop the bleeding out of all those holes while riding down the highway i pulled out another whole piece. i went to the hospital 4 hours later after telling my parents i didnt plan on going because of fear its a whole long story if anyone needs to talk im here with nothing but time
You’ll get better brother just know thAt it will take time I’m recovering myself Rn but be patient you will get through this man
#ripstevenbsmith.
I cried so had 😢 guns are one of the worst things man have made I have lost so many friends family and the love of my life to a gun fix it Jesus please or send your angels down here we need your help!
🙏🏽🇬🇧
💙
I was also shot and bullet ended up in my spine, but was lucky enough to still have all motor skills
Thanks for sharing some of your recovery story with us, Kody, so good to hear that you're doing well.
What part of your spine ? @satan
What can help him maybe feel better and maybe help him get a little stronger in my opinion is Gingko Biloba tea. It helps with circulation and energy. Might cheer him up 2 if he's ever feeling down. St. Johns Worth also enhances mood and well being.
Thanks for sharing what has worked for you on your own recovery journey.
How is he keeping now
5:16 that’s called PTSD.
hey i would love to be on this show and tell my story i was shot ten times at the age of 13 i just wanna let my story be known.
Thank you for letting us know. You can learn more about telling your story here: oc87recoverydiaries.org/your-story/
This was not gun violence, this was gun mishandling, an accident. Guns are dangerous tools, they cannot commit violence, people commit violence!
This is what happens when you don’t know or don’t respect the basics of safe gun handling.
thank you
Stay out the streets
You can be killed or hurt either way
@@Earl_TheSquirrel 👍
#ripstevenbsmith.