Girl Shot In Face Donates To Hospital That Saved Her Life

OAK FOREST, IL — An 11-year-old girl whose life was changed forever in one moment four years ago is doing what she can to help those in similar circumstances.

In July 2018, Camryn Cox was just 7 years old when she was shot in the face by her cousin while playing in a bedroom during a birthday party in Monee, and nearly lost her life.

There were several children present that day, and Camryn was shot when she asked her cousin if the gun she was holding was real. The gun was not locked, and the cousin fired one round. The bullet hit Camryn in the jaw, causing extensive damage to her tongue, vertebrae and main artery in her neck. She was airlifted to University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital and endured a tenuous recovery period, with 27 days spent hospitalized and undergoing several surgeries.

The gun owner was charged with unlawful storage of a firearm, but not child endangerment, Raeann said. He spent one night in jail.

Now, four years later, Camryn and her family can still recall the uncertainty of those days and what helped a scared 7-year-old make it through. During her time at the hospital and followup visits, hospital staff gave her stuffed animals, art supplies and other toys to help distract her from the unpleasant nature of what was ahead of her. It inspired them both to find a way to give back.

"She loved the stuffed animals and art supplies," Raeann Cox said. "When she would visit for scans and surgeries, they’d bring her stuffed animals. And while we were there, there were many children there without visitors or parents there with them, which broke my heart. Camryn and I wanted to do something to give back to all those children."

Each year, Camryn and her mother hold a Christmas in July donation-based campaign, with an Amazon Wishlist from which people can purchase items for donation to Comer. This year's efforts brought in 700 items, which the pair will deliver on Aug. 18.

"I think it helps her, in many of ways, to be able to give back to all the children that are going through everything that she went through," Cox said.

A Fierke student at the time of the accident, Camryn has lingering PTSD and anxiety. She is homeschooled now as a result. Camryn and her immediate family have become estranged from her father and the side of the family at whose home the incident occurred.

"I think it’s a struggle, too, because of the abandonment of her dad’s side of the family," Cox said. " ... But my family’s amazing. And I have a lot of good friends that have become like her family."

Cox believes in gun ownership, but also urges parents to lock up guns, out of reach of children. Cox also urges parents sending their children to other people's homes to ask the important questions.

"I always speak about asking the questions before sending your kids anywhere," Cox said. "Do you have guns, are they locked up? Who has access to the guns? It’s so important to ask those questions, that’s the most important thing you can do. Let’s be honest, gun control laws need to be more strict. It’s common sense."