For five years, she was known as the Bloomingdale Library attack survivor.
This weekend, the public finally will put a name and face to her, as Queena celebrates her 23rd birthday with a party in Plant City.
Queena, her mother and full-time caregiver, Vanna, and sister, Anna, are inviting the public to help celebrate her birthday and launch Queena’s new website, JoinQUEENA.com. The party will be from 1 to 5 p.m. April 20, at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road. A prayer vigil will be at 2 p.m., followed by a special surprise from Queena at 2:30 p.m.
“It’s important to Queena that her story is shared,” Vanna said. “Queena believes she has a purpose and a reason for being alive and with us today, and we hope others will be inspired and find hope in her progress and continued recovery.”
Anna agreed.
“It’s been five years, and we do not want to be forgotten,” she said. “The website allows the community to take a closer look into her life. The community has been so generous and caring to our family, and we would like them to see the progress that she makes every day, and how their financial and emotional support have helped us through the years.
“Also, we feel it’s time for Queena to reveal her face and name and no longer hide behind her ‘victim’ title,” she said. “She would like to be an inspiration to the community and show everyone that all of life’s obstacles can be overcome with a little faith, hope and love.”
Five years ago, Queena, then 17, was a senior honor student at East Bay High School. She loved all things pink. She volunteered at local hospices, was active in National Honor Society, student government and played varsity soccer and volleyball. She had just been accepted to the University of Florida on a full scholarship.
Everything changed April 24, 2008.
Queena was returning books to the Bloomingdale Library, when Kendrick Morris, then 16 years old, brutally attacked, raped, beat and left her to die. Queena suffered a fractured nose and eye socket, and the attack cut off oxygen to her brain. She slipped into a coma hours after the attack, and doctors didn’t expect her to recover.
Because of the severe brain damage, Queena was left almost blind and unable to speak, walk or swallow.
She spent two months in intensive care and another four in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Today, she requires 24-hour care and attends daily physical, occupational and experimental therapies to aid her recovery.
Through a variety of traditional and experimental therapies, Queena has made significant strides, and the family is excited by her progress, Anna said.
“Queena is eating pureed foods, forming some syllables and standing for long periods of time with little assistance,” she said. “She has also taken a few steps with the help of her therapists. She seems to be tracking objects with her eyes better now than before.”
Paula MacDonald met Queena and her family when her daughter, Kendall, helped organize a benefit run, called 5K4Q, at East Bay. MacDonald said Queena has had great success through TheraSuit, a treatment she is receiving at Pediatric Therapy Services, in Lakeland. The full-body suit utilizes bungee cords to connect various parts of her body to help them relearn how to work together.
MacDonald connected the family to Gainseville, Ga.-based Full Media, which built the website. The family will publish updates on Queena’s progress on the new site. JoinQUEENA.com also features exclusive photos, updates from Queena’s physicians and a donation page for her trust fund.
“Before, I was not able to know the names of those who made donations,” Vanna said. “This way, I can know the names and send thank-you cards.
“The month of April is not overshadowed by tragedy for us,” she said. “Instead, we look at this as a time of celebration and a time of thanks for all that she has accomplished and those who have helped her to get here.”
Medicaid covers only $1,500 of the nearly $70,000 required annually for all of Queena’s treatments. Additional expenses are funded through the generosity of the community.
In addition to the new website, donations can be made payable to the Bloomingdale Library Assault Victim Trust at any Bank of Tampa or SunTrust Bank.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
Queena’s 23rd Birthday Party and JoinQUEENA.com Launch Party
WHEN: 1 to 5 p.m. April 20
WHERE: Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City
WEBSITE: JoinQUEENA.com