Citation

Teven CM. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. Glob. Open 2022; 10(12): e4714.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/GOX.0000000000004714

PMID

36569248

PMCID

PMC9760602

Abstract

July 4, 2022, began as usual. This quickly changed, however, when a shooter opened fire at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. My family usually attends this parade, but this year went to a different parade five miles away. The attack left numerous people dead and dozens more injured. As the tragedy unfolded, my family and I could not safely reach our home in Highland Park and sought refuge at the nearby Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital (NMLFH). While sheltering my family, I learned that shooting victims would be arriving at NMLFH. I did as any of us would have and rushed to the emergency room to assist. My training had prepared me for this. I was unprepared, however, for the phone call I was about to receive. A close friend had been shot. Her family asked if I could help.

It has been one month since this tragedy. Although grateful to have been able to help my community, I continue to experience a profound sense of helplessness. The same helplessness, in fact, that accompanies each and every mass shooting (Table ​(Table11).1 When is enough, enough?

Language: en