The Florida high school softball star – who was allegedly stabbed 15 times by her ex-boyfriend – says she is paralyzed but determined to learn to walk again.
Madison Schemitz, 17, spoke publicly for the first time since the near fatal attack outside a local restaurant on June 3.
Wearing a Madison Strong t-shirt, the brave teenager was flanked by her mother and hero connoisseur Kennedy Armstrong as she revealed she is “currently paralyzed from the chest down”.
“It will be a long and hard road, but I am determined and confident that I will achieve my goals of walking again one day… My story is just beginning,” she said on Friday.
The Ponte Verde High School graduate is currently undergoing intensive rehab at Brooks Rehabilitation and said she hopes to start a One Love chapter at her school to raise awareness of unhealthy relationships.
Madison Schemitz, 17, spoke publicly for the first time since the near fatal attack outside a local restaurant on June 3
Spencer Pearson, 18, Schemitz’s high school ex, attacked the softball player, her mother and a Good Samaritan with a knife before turning the blade on himself. He faces two counts of attempted murder and serious bodily harm with a deadly weapon
Spencer Pearson, 18, her high school ex, is said to have attacked the softball player, her mother and the Good Samaritan Armstrong with a knife before turning the blade on himself.
He faces two counts of attempted murder and serious bodily harm with a deadly weapon.
Schemitz expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone who helped treat her after the gruesome injury and ultimately saved her life.
“The individual care and attention has not gone unnoticed.” Without you I wouldn’t know where I would be today. “Thank you all for spurring me on every day to achieve my goals while being a light in the darkness,” she said.
“More specifically, I thank my mother. My mother was one of my heroes that day. My love for her knows no bounds and I am so lucky to be her daughter.
“And finally, Kennedy Armstrong, the man who saved my life that day.” I am eternally grateful for the brave acts he showed. “Kennedy is and will always be my hero and is now a family for life,” she said.
Armstrong, 23, was also stabbed when he intervened to stop Pearson from continuing to harm Schemitz and her mother in front of Mr. Chubby’s Wings.
He was stabbed several times in the hand and has since had surgery, but needles appeared to be sticking out of his bandaged hand.
“I believe there is no turning back now.” Everything happens for a reason. I am incredibly lucky to be alive today. “I will use each day as its own chance to live and make a difference in the world,” Schemitz said.
“In the future, I will be starting a One Love chapter in my high school in hopes of raising awareness of unhealthy behaviors and relationships.”
Schemitz (right) poses with her mother (center) and the care team at Brooks Rehabilitation on Friday
Schemitz was a star on the softball team at Ponte Vedra High School in suburban Jacksonville
Schemitz was a star on the softball team at Ponte Vedra High School in suburban Jacksonville
Pearson posted effusive tributes to Schemitz on his social media
Schemitz’s physical therapist, Sydney Dalton, said during the conference that the 17-year-old was one of the hardest-working patients she’s ever worked with.
“No matter what I ask of her, she’s ready and willing to put in the work.” Whether she’s physically or mentally tired, she still says, “Sure, let’s go, let’s do it,” she said.
“Phenomenal work ethic, phenomenal character – all in all a great person and hard worker.”
Schemitz’s mother, Jacki Rogé, filed a criminal complaint against 18-year-old Pearson less than a week before he allegedly sued the couple outside a local restaurant.
According to the report, obtained by a local news channel, the teen’s mother claimed Pearson molested her daughter – by following her on her way to school, leaving notes on her car and messaging her via fake social media accounts .
Rogé told law enforcement that Pearson struggled with his mental health and that she had previously told his mother about several troubling incidents.
His mother said she will deal with it “accordingly.”
Pearson had just graduated from high school, where he had been a star football player.
Jackie Roge, the mother of Madison Schemitz (left), was seriously injured in last month’s attack, as was a bystander who was helping, Kennedy Armstrong (right).
Then, on June 3, Schemitz, her mother, and a friend met at Mr. Chubby’s Wings in Ponte Vedra Beach.
After being seated, the group noticed that Pearson was seated at a nearby table.
Because Pearson had allegedly been stalking and harassing Schemitz since April, when the couple split, the mother and daughter decided to leave the restaurant.
Pearson followed them to the parking lot and “charged” the couple, according to the warrant.
Schemitz and her mother’s screams alerted 23-year-old Kennedy Armstrong to the problem.
Pearson grabbed Schemitz’s arm and stabbed her at least 15 times. Rogé was stabbed in the leg and forehead.
A GoFundMe for Schemitz and her family has raised more than $154,000 following last month’s horrific attack.