Bianca’s Story

On Valentine’s Day of 2018, I was in my last period of the day of my freshman year at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida, when an event completely changed my life from that day onward. That historic day marked a senseless mass shooting where 17 innocent souls were lost, and my school and community would never be the same. I was so shocked and shaken from what I had experienced that within hours of returning home safely, I sat down and recorded myself retelling my experience and uploaded the video to YouTube. At that moment I didn’t realize that this documentation of my perspective and feelings from a very raw and unfiltered aspect would be the beginning of a cathartic journey towards mental health, self-care, and healing.  

Once the aftershock subsided, it was obvious that I needed professional trauma therapy. Over the course of the last two and a half years, I have been treated by three licensed therapists certified in different techniques for PTSD, all of which have helped me take steps toward healing. Therapy, medication, and subsequent outreach experiences have allowed me to learn vital coping skills and has given me a new empathy and compassion for others, as well as broadened my outlook on the power of community.  

Meanwhile, to my astonishment, my video began to gain tens of thousands of views on YouTube. What I originally thought was just a way to vent my thoughts, suddenly turned into something much bigger. In the summer of 2019, a college student from California Institute of the Arts reached out to me presenting her concept of a one-woman play detailing and retelling the stories of six students who have experienced gun violence. She viewed my video multiple times and was touched by my emotional recount, and in return, I was humbled and appreciative of her kindness and her goal of sharing my experience to bring awareness to victims and survivors. The play, “I Hear So Extremely Loud,” a quote directly from my video, debuted in August 2021, and although I was nervous for the debut, my hope is that by hearing all our stories, the audience will become more aware of the tremendous pain and suffering that results from gun violence.

Based upon my experiences with professional counseling as well as the outreach I received and in turn shared with people who would normally be strangers, I will always advocate for mental therapy in all its forms regardless of the circumstances.  No one is immune to pain or trauma, but it’s imperative that individuals realize there are many avenues for healing, some less apparent than others. And although the catalyst of my enlightenment and personal growth was horrific beyond any words, these life experiences have helped me become a mature and sympathetic person with a deeper appreciation for emotional support and the importance of mental health. The outpouring of love and thoughtfulness my broken community has received has given me confidence and hope that survivors like myself will have a chance to heal wounds and thrive in a society that demonstrates more good than evil.

My Bloom Story written by Bianca Romano | Published 09/18/2021