‘The girl who got shot’ speaks out

As Gill Lindsell lay on her kitchen floor with a bullet in her back, she heard the words, “There’s no hope for her.”

Lindsell spoke to a crowded room at the Rivonia Recreation Club in the first of the Self Seekers inspirational talks.

Known as ‘the girl who got shot’, she described her story of resilience, entitled, Bulletproof, in the hope of inspiring others.

Her story began on the night of a robbery at her house. Lindsell was talking to her domestic worker in the kitchen when the perpetrators reversed their car into the driveway.

They told Lindsell and her domestic worker to lie on the kitchen floor and then she heard loud banging. As she lifted her head, she felt an unbelievable pain in her lower back, and she realised that she had been shot.

Her house guest was also pulled out of her room and marched to the kitchen with a gun to her head. The men took some items. “Then they were gone,” said Lindsell.

As paramedics attended the scene, Lindsell heard her mother’s telling her, “Do not die”.

Lindsell was overwhelmed by the love and compassion from her family and friends. Her mother was at her side and helped to raise funds, her brother started a Facebook page to raise awareness and funds for her medical expenses, and her students at Damelin even offered to donate blood.

While the odds of survival were against her, Lindsell triumphed.
However, just as she was on the mend, her brother and best friend passed away.

She explained that she used various applications to help her through the hard times, and she encouraged others to develop their own skills to deal with adversity. Her survival kit included courage, tenacity, patience, acceptance and faith.

Everyone lit candles as the song ‘Stand By Me’ played out to end the evening.

The talks are organised by her and Chris Page to inspire the community. Members of the public are welcome to share their own stories. The next talk is on 21 August and the venue is to be confirmed.

Details: Chris Page chris@chrispage.co.za