TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa couple is turning something tragic and devastating into something of hope and understanding for others.

The story of Romulo and Gabriella Camargo, or Romy and Gaby, who met at the age of 12, is one of love and courage.

Founders of Stay in Step brain and spinal cord injury recovery center in Tampa, their journey began when Romy, a U.S. Army Special Forces Ranger, Airborne, and Green Beret sustained life changing injuries while serving in Afghanistan.

“On September 16, 2008 we were on a humanitarian mission and I suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the neck during an ambush,” Romy Camargo said.

That day, Gaby received a call from one of Romy’s teammates who was not deployed at the time.

“I would say that no more than 30 minutes later he was knocking at my door with two other people in uniform and that’s when they told me about what had happened to my husband,” she said.

Paralyzed from the shoulders down, what followed was years of hospital stays and therapy and as both faced a new life’s journey they decided to create stay in step which Gaby calls the only area rehab center providing long term physical therapy for vets and non-vets alike.

“We cover brain injury, spinal cord injuries and all neurological disorders that result in paralysis,” Romy said.

A non-profit, Stay in Step will hold its 6th annual fundraising gala on September 25. All are welcome.

“People are looking for hope,” Gaby Camargo said. “And that’s what we provide here.”