A 7-Year-Old's Forgiveness to the Shooter Who Left Her Paralyzed—and Her Mother's Faith to See Her Walk Again
"It's kind of hard (to forgive), but, as soon as you do it, it's not that hard anymore." –Kai Leigh Harriot (Age 7)
EDITOR'S NOTE: After reading a headline about this story recently, I knew it would be a special one, but when I found there was a video, I had to watch it, and then make it available to our readers. This little girl, and her mother, have given the world a truly remarkable example of the power of forgiveness...and faith. I would urge our readers to watch the CBS video, as well as visit the website established for little Kai...and of course, we can join with her family in praying for her healing. –Aimee Herd, BCN.
(Dorchester, Mass.)—Four years ago, Kai Leigh Harriot (age 3) was playing on her porch with her big sister Aja. On the street near the house, a man named Anthony Warren began to argue with the others he was with and suddenly, shots were fired into the air.
Those bullets found their way to where the girls were playing, and when one flew right past Aja's face, she quickly grabbed her little sister Kai, and ran inside the house.
It was then that Aja turned Kai over and found a pool of blood from where a bullet had entered her back and shattered her spine. The injured 3-year-old was rushed to the hospital where doctors spared her life, but diagnosed that she would likely never walk again—being paralyzed from the waist down.
"I've never had anger," said Tonya, Kai's mother. "I don't know why I was given this cup to drink, but I never had anger for him." Perhaps some of Tonya's amazing attitude rubbed off on little Kai, as when the trial finally approached—3 years later—Kai insisted on being present to speak a word to her assailant. (Photo: www.sheshallwalkagain.org)
Kai (5-years-old by that time) took the stand and—looking directly at the shooter—said, "Anthony Warren, what you did was wrong, but I still forgive you." The action moved Warren, who then changed his plea to guilty and apologized. After the trial, Kai's mother, Tonya, not only shook his hand, but embraced Anthony Warren.
To watch this remarkable video from CBS's The Early Show, CLICK HERE.
Tonya has set up a website for Kai, to visit it, CLICK HERE.
