Florida high school softball star, 17, stabbed FIFTEEN times by stalking ex-boyfriend, reveals she’s paralyzed from the chest down: ‘It’s going to be a long, hard road, but I’m determined to walk again one day’
The Florida high school softball star who was allegedly stabbed 15 times by her ex-boyfriend says she is paralyzed from the chest down but is determined to learn to walk again.
Madison Schemitz, 17, has spoken publicly for the first time since the near-fatal attack outside a local restaurant on June 3.
She told reporters Friday from Brooks Rehabilitation, where she was flanked by her mother and bystander hero Kennedy Armstrong, that she “is currently paralyzed from the chest down.”
“It will be a long and hard road, but I am determined and sure of myself that I will reach my goals to one day walk again… My story is just beginning,” she said.
Schemitz was a star on the softball team at Ponte Vedra High School, in a Jacksonville suburb.
Spencer Pearson, 18, a former Schemitz high school student, attacked the softball player, her mother and a Good Samaritan with a knife before turning on himself.
He is charging two counts of attempted first-degree premeditated murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Schemitz expressed her sincere thanks to everyone who helped treat her after the gruesome injury and ultimately saved her life.
‘The attention and individualized attention has not gone unnoticed. Without you, I don’t know where I would be today. So thank you all for pushing me every day to reach my goals while also being a light in the dark,” she said.
‘More specifically, I thank my mom. My mom was one of my heroes that day. My love for her is infinite and I am very lucky to be her daughter.
And finally, Kennedy Armstrong, the man who saved my life that day. I will always be infinitely grateful for the brave acts he displayed. Kennedy is and always will be my hero and now he is a family for life,” he said.
Armstrong, 23, was also stabbed when he intervened to stop Pearson from further harming Schemitz and his mother.
Armstrong was stabbed in the hand multiple times. Since then he has had surgery. His wound is still evident on his bandaged hand which appears to have pins sticking out.
‘I think there is no going back. Everything happens for a reason. I am incredibly lucky to be alive today. I will take each day as its own opportunity to live and make a difference in the world,’ said Schemitz.
“In the future, I will start a One Love chapter at my high school in hopes of raising awareness about unhealthy behaviors and relationships.”
Schemitz was a star on the softball team at Ponte Vedra High School, in a Jacksonville suburb.
Pearson posted effusive tributes to Schemitz on his social media.
Schemitz’s physical therapist, Sydney Dalton, said during the conference that the 17-year-old is one of the hardest-working patients he has ever worked with.
‘No matter what you ask her to do, she is ready and willing to work for it. Whether she’s tired, physically or mentally, she still says, ‘Sure, come on, let’s do it,’ she said. ‘Phenomenal work ethic, phenomenal character – overall a great person and hard worker.’
