Overcoming Emotional Aftermath
Young survivors of the mass shooting at Kansas City Chief’s Super Bowl parade are struggling to heal from physical and emotional traumas. Gabriella Magers-Darger, 14, who suffered leg burns during the incident, has been dealing with constant reminders of that fateful day. Despite looking forward to the excitement of high school, her trauma manifests in unexpected ways, such as problems with loud noises or even the sight of a family friend’s accidental injury.
Furthermore, Gabriella has visibly hardened since the traumatic event. Her mother, Bridget Barton, believes that her once gentle and soft-spoken daughter now carries an intense air of reserve and defense.
Invisible Scars of Gun Violence on Kids
Children are particularly susceptible to the stress that gun violence brings. The shooting left ten out of the twenty-four injured as under 18’s, enduring a heightened fear, anger, sleep problems, and hypersensitivity to noise and crowds. One 15-year-old girl even dropped out of school due to daily panic attacks, while an 11-year-old boy could not articulate why he grew angry at school and a 5-year-old girl now fears her father will be shot every time he falls sick.
As a worrying sign of the times, gun violence overtook motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death for children in 2020. However, research suggests that children more often survive firearm injuries, subjected to the resultant trauma and fear for years to come.
Managing Long-Term Effects of Gun Trauma
Despite the widespread nature of this issue, scientists lament that the long-term impacts of gun violence on children are poorly researched and understood. A study by researchers at Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital affirms that such violence causes a significant surge in mental health disorders and substance abuse. This effect spills over to affect family members too.
The Persistent Struggles, Six Months On
Survivors find stimuli such as loud noises and high-energy crowds especially distressing. One eleven-year-old survivor even had a break-down when thousands of fans clapped for him during a basketball game, while Gabriella felt uncomfortable at the sight of fireworks or handguns. The Kansas City shooting has scarred these children, leading to personality changes, sleeping problems, and heightened anger.
The Hope for Healing
While the trauma persists, young survivors are taking steps towards healing. Their respective families are providing support, patience, and seeking professional help to navigate the challenging road to recovery. Gabriella found boxing to be a source of confidence, and another family found that getting a new puppy worked wonders on their 5-year-old daughter who had become withdrawn since the event.
With therapy and time, the hope is for these children to reclaim their childhoods, step back into their schools and communities, and eventually find peace and normalcy. It is an uphill battle, but one that they are willing to fight for a shot at a better tomorrow.