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Mpls. Girl Shot In The Neck Now Able To Tell Story

By James Schugel, WCCO-TV

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- For the first time, a Twin Cities teenager who was shot in the neck is talking about the night that changed her life forever.

Guadalupe Galeno-Hernandez was shot in South Minneapolis in November while walking with family to their Aunt's home. She is currently recovering at Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul.

Now, she longs to do the simple things in life that so many people take for granted.

"I want to go, like, outside to see the snow and touch it, but I can't," she said from her hospital bed.

Her family believes in miracles. She is theirs, they truly believe.

"Vivo," said Guadalupe's mother, Hilda, which means "alive."

The translator, Pedro Bustamante, continued with what Hilda said, adding, "She's with her, alive!"

In fact, there's been a lot to celebrate following that drive-by shooting at East 34th Street and Chicago Avenue South. Big milestones have been made with small steps, like the fact Guadalupe can talk.

"I got shot in the neck," she said, recalling the pain and the people who helped her. "And then the car person shot, and then I fell, and then my brothers were carrying me to the back."

Guadalupe's been in the hospital ever since. She was first rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center, and then she was transferred to Gillette Children's Hospital.

The news has only gotten tougher for her to take.

"Lupita keeps telling her, 'Why? Why me? I didn't do nothing to them," her mother said through the translator.

Guadalupe's mother has had to tell her she'll likely use a wheelchair the rest of her life. That bullet went through Guadalupe's spinal cord and likely paralyzed her.

Guadalupe wants police to catch her shooter.

"Find them and take them to jail," she said. "I didn't like what they did to me."

Among the sadness, however, there are days she smiles, like the day Minnesota Wild players visited before Christmas, along with the day she celebrated her 13th birthday.

St. Paul Police officers also visited her in the hospital before Christmas.

Guadalupe and her family are now praying for another miracle. They know that's what it'll take for her to walk and dance again.

There will be a fundraiser for Guadalupe on Saturday, Jan. 15 at All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church in Minneapolis from 4 to 6 p.m. The event is open to the public. There will be food, Latin music and a silent auction. All the money raised through selling food and the auction will help pay her medical bills. You can also help by clicking here.

WCCO-TV's James Schugel Reports

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