Key Takeaways:
– Cristián de la Fuente revealed an unsettling experience from two years ago on a podcast episode with Cheryl Burke.
– His daughter, Laura, was shot in the leg when criminals attempted to steal his watch.
– After a miraculous recovery, Laura has picked herself up and moved forward, even participating in a mini Ironman race.
– The criminals are currently in prison, while de la Fuente and his family celebrate life every birthday.
“Dancing with the Stars” Star on Family Trauma
Former contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) Cristián de la Fuente, a Season 6 participant, recently shared an alarming incident involving his daughter Laura. The revelation came during an episode of his former dancing partner Cheryl Burke’s podcast, where they were reminiscing about their days on the famous dance show.
A Birthday Celebration that Turned into a Nightmare
It all took place two years ago on Cristián de la Fuente’s birthday. The day began like any other, with de la Fuente picking up his daughter from school before heading off to a birthday bash. However, things took a terrifying turn when the DWTS star realized he was being followed. The aim of their pursuit? His watch.
Danger at the Door
With his daughter in the car, de la Fuente tried to lose the followers by stopping at a friend’s house. But just as he was doing so, one of the men brandished a gun, knocking on the car’s window. As quick instincts kicked in, de la Fuente fled, hoping to distract the men. But one shot was fired, narrowly missing him by a few centimeters to hit Laura in her leg.
A Swift and Successful Recovery
De la Fuente swiftly drove his injured daughter to a hospital where thank God, the injury was discovered to be non-fatal. There were neither broken bones nor arterial damage. “The bullet went in one leg, got out, and then it ended up in the other leg,” he explained on the podcast. Laura spent the next two months in a wheelchair, followed by rigorous therapy to regain her ability to walk, run, and play sports.
Back to Life and Living it Fully
Today, Laura is not only back on her feet but is also actively participating in sports. She recently completed a mini version of the Ironman race. Also, she is enjoying her soccer games and overall, living a healthy life. De la Fuente shared that the perpetrators of the traumatic occurrence are now behind bars and would be there for a while.
The Birthday that Now Celebrates Resiliency
Since the incident, birthdays are celebrated quite differently in the de la Fuente household. Not only do they acknowledge the day as de la Fuente’s birthday, but also as a celebration of Laura’s sustained life and her brave recovery. The DWTS alum now only wears plastic watches, a change prompted by the incident.
Laura’s Gratitude and Hope
After being released from the hospital, Laura expressed her gratitude to her parents for their unwavering support during her recovery. She also extended her thanks to the medical staff for their assistance and to all the well-wishers who sent their prayers and positive energy. She ended her message with optimism towards a safer society, saying, “I hope that one day we can again feel calm, safe, without fear and free on the streets of our country that I love so much!”
In celebrating their lives and victories together, the courage of Cristián de la Fuente and his daughter Laura stands as an inspirational light for many who have gone through traumatic experiences. Their story is a touching reminder that resilience, love, and hope can indeed turn pain into power.