Crystal’s son Donell and daughter Jenea were shot and killed in the parking lot of Jenea’s business in Columbus, Ohio on April 1, 2015 during an argument with Jenea’s estranged husband. Crystal recently relocated to Florida from Ohio, where she served as a Survivor Membership Lead for the Ohio Moms Demand Action chapter. She is also the founder of Mothers in Healing Support Group through A Hand Up to Success nonprofit.
The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for survivors. Do you have any tips for navigating this time?
I pray that during this difficult time of the year, you make the decision to do whatever makes you happy. Whether that be surrounding yourself with loved ones who can support you in your need for love, comfort, and peace or spending time alone. Whether this is your first holiday without your child or this is another year you are acknowledging your child will not be physically present, know that you are not alone in your feelings.
What has it meant to you to be part of Moms Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network?
Being a part of Moms Demand Action and the Everytown Survivor Network has been comforting during a time that life has been uncomfortable for me. I have been given a wealth of knowledge, a platform to share my experience as a gun survivor, and bond with some of the most amazing people who are choosing to turn their pain into purpose. But most of all, it’s given me an opportunity to help change the experience of those in the future who will unfortunately be known as gun survivors.
What is one thing you hope to personally accomplish as a survivor leader in the coming year?
To amplify the voices of survivors by reminding our community leaders that when gun violence happens to one, it happens to us all.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Yes, that on April 1, 2015 I went to sleep in a nightmare, but woke with purpose.
