DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. _ When Lt. Laz Ojeda of the Coral Springs Fire Department reached Maddy Wilford at Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, he initially believed she was dead. Her body looked pale and she wasn't moving, he recounted Monday.
Maddy was alive but she had been shot three times and was barely clinging to life. One bullet pierced her chest, the other her torso and the third traveled through her right arm. She was rushed to Broward Health North Medical Center in Deerfield Beach where she had three surgeries.
On Monday morning, Maddy joined Ojeda during a press conference at the hospital. Her arm was heavily bandaged but her cheeks were rosy and she smiled during most of the hour-long event. Maddy was flanked by her parents and two doctors who treated her.
"I'm Madeline Wilford," she said, and then paused for about 15 seconds. "And I'd just like to say that I'm so grateful to be here ... "
Her recovery, according the doctors is remarkable, and they expect her to make a full recovery and go back to school next week. She sustained some ligament damage to her right hand _ the one she uses for writing and shooting basketballs as a member of the girl's basketball team. She will undergo rehabilitation on her hand in the coming weeks but is expected to be able to eventually regain full motion in her hand.
She was discharged last Wednesday, only 7 days after arriving at the hospital in critical condition. The family was escorted back to Parkland, four officers on motorcycle, and three Chevy Tahoes behind them, and traffic was briefly halted on the Sawgrass Expressway.
The doctors who treated Maddy said her age is playing a role in her recovery.
"Young people have a tendency to heal very fast," said Dr. Evan Boyar, but he added "She is very, very lucky." High-velocity bullets can cause extensive tissue damage, even leave organs beyond repair, he said.
Maddy's mother, Missy Wilford, thanked the hospital staff and the first responders, and then she looked in the eyes of her daughter.
"I could probably spend an hour talking about my daughter...she's a fighter," Wilford said. She then had a message for other students at Stoneman Douglas.
"As a mom, I just have to say to you, do not be afraid if you need help," she said.
Three days after the shooting, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited Wilford in her hospital room. Despite the surgeries and pain, she managed a smile as photographers snapped pictures of them.
Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people. Wilford is among 16 who are recovering from gunshot wounds.
