A Dover woman shot in the head by an ex-boyfriend has a long road to recovery, but a year later she’s making amazing progress.
Every day is a challenge mentally and physically, but the Dudleys don’t see it that way, this is their new normal. They’re building strength in more ways than one.
Just a year ago, 22-year-old Alyssa Dudley was in a hospital bed. She was shot in the head by an ex-boyfriend.
“I truly think that the night in the E.R. when they let us in to see her before surgery they were preparing us to tell her goodbye,” said Diana Dudley, Alyssa’s mom.
Her father Eddie quit his job to take care of her.
“I’m here with her all day, the smile on her face, and it just encourages me to help her,” he said.
Her mother Diana works around the clock. She has a full time job and then she’s on mom duty for Alyssa.
“She’s the one that suffered, she’s the one that keeps it so light around her,” said Diana Dudley.
A year later, the progress is incredible. Alyssa walks and she talks. Occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy have helped Alyssa begin again. Alyssa didn’t think she would make it to where she is today.
“No, definitely not,” she said.
Her speech still has a long way to go, but four words mean the world to her parents.
“I love you guys," Dudley said.
Alyssa was shot by her ex-boyfriend during a domestic dispute in St. Petersburg. Carlos Compton was shot and killed by police.