Cedar Rapids teen paralyzed by bullet staying positive

CEDAR RAPIDS - The wooden steps leading up to Denisha Davis' home creak and sag.

Someone with normal mobility might not even notice the condition of the stairs, but for Davis - who requires a leg brace to go up the stairs and often is confined to a wheelchair - the steps represent a barrier between her in the outside world. Since returning home to Cedar Rapids a few weeks ago after months of rehabilitation, Davis' few outings have been to church with her mother, Denia.

Although a stray bullet at a house party left the teenager robbed of feeling beneath her waist, her bright smile and upbeat attitude shows that Davis refuses to be a victim.

'This has been a really great life lesson for me,” she said. 'Not to take things for granted. Not to take life for granted, especially.”

Davis was at a friend's birthday party at the Pheasant Ridge Apartment complex in the 2600 block of Bartelt Road on the west side of Iowa City when more than a dozen shots rang out shortly before midnight on March 7. Davis said panic ensued and people began to take cover. As she tried to take refuge in a bathroom, a bullet pierced her side, destroying her gallbladder, lacerating her liver and kidney and breaking two ribs before it hit her between the T12 and L1 vertebra. The hot bullet stopped and cauterized her nerves.

Davis spent two weeks at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City before being moved to St. Luke's rehabilitation facility for another two months. On May 16, she left for Omaha, Neb. where she continued her rehabilitation at Quality Living, Inc., a facility that specializes in brain and spinal cord injuries. She returned to Cedar Rapids the day after Thanksgiving.

As evidence of how far she has come, Davis and two other QLI clients competed in the Corporate Cup two-mile race in September. With the aid of her walker, Davis crossed the finish line on her feet.

'This is so inspiring and amazing,” Denia Davis said of her daughter. 'I can say, ‘My daughter did that.'”

Back in Cedar Rapids, Denisha Davis continues to adjust to life back home. She does her own laundry, cleans dishes and learned to cook while in Omaha. Her mother, who expected to take on more of a caretaker role when her daughter returned, instead marvels at her progress.

'She's more independent now than she was before,” Denia Davis said. 'She's completely, ‘I've got this. I can do it.'”

Though they both credit a support network of family and friends, the Davis women rely mostly on each other. It's been a challenge, they both admit. In addition to Denisha's injury, the women have dealt with sick relatives, a death in the family and losing their home to flooding this summer. Their new home is more expensive and is not built for someone with a disability.

Being homebound is difficult, especially for a 19-year-old that wants to go to the mall and get back to work. The Davises have their eyes set on installing a ramp in the spring that will make it easier for Denisha to leave the home and getting a vehicle she'll be able to ride in.

Denisha Davis said her old employer, KFC, said they would welcome her back and allow her to work the register from her wheelchair. She's also on the waiting list for housing in Omaha built for those with disabilities.

'I always have that opportunity to go back,” she said. 'I really enjoyed it there.”

Through it all, Denisha Davis said she doesn't blame anyone for her injury.

'I don't hold grudges over that any more,” she said.

Denia Davis said she and her daughter will continue to rely on each other and overcome whatever obstacles come their way.

'God gives his best challenges to his best soldiers,” she said. 'I'm a fighter. She's a fighter.”