Young Woman Still Recovering From Gunshots

By Lori Fullbright, News On 6

COWETA, OK -- A young Green Country woman has overcome great odds with a positive attitude and sense of humor. She was shot twice by her step-father in April of 2007 and even doctors didn't think she would survive.

The News On 6 talked to Angie Thompson on Wednesday about all she's been through in the past 18 months.

Thompson is 21-years-old, walks with a limp and is missing her left hand. The fact she's walking or alive at all, is nothing short of miraculous.

"God has a plan for me, it's the reason. If I wasn't meant to be here, I wouldn't be here," said Thompson.

Angie was 19 when her step-father got mad at her for leaving home. He confronted her at her grandmother's home in Coweta.

"He said, if you're going to be like that, you're dead and I turned around because I thought, what the heck are you talking about and as I turned around and looked, that's when he shot me," said Thompson.

She was holding her dog and the first shotgun blast blew through her hand and went into her stomach. She has a scar from her chest to belly button and is missing her gallbladder, spleen, intestines, kidney, pancreas and appendix. She turned to run and that's when he shot her in the back, which left a hole and partially severed her spinal cord.

She was in a coma for two weeks, in the hospital three months and has had too many surgeries to count. She takes 11 medications every day and had to re-learn to walk and live one-handed.

"I had to learn to do everything with one hand, tying my shoes, things people take for granted everyday, yeah, putting in my contacts, makeup, putting on clothes, buttoning pants, can be difficult," said Thompson.

Michael Henson was sentenced to 30 years for shooting Angie and 30 for shooting her grandmother, who ran outside to help. Angie would like to know why he did it, but he only spoke in court.

"He apologized, said he didn't mean to do it and that he was sorry for everything he's done and hoped we would forgive him. I've forgiven him because I know I'm supposed to, but, I can't say I'm not still angry and have a grudge against him, because I really do," said Thompson.

Angie's grandmother has also had a difficult recovery. Angie is determined not to let this turn her into a bitter or angry person.

She was even chosen as this year's Saint Francis patient of the year.