5 Years Later: Bloomingdale Library Attack Survivor Celebrates 23rd Birthday

For the past five years, she’s been known to the general public as the Bloomingdale library attack survivor.

Only family, friends and select members of the media knew the name and face behind the accounts of her slow journey to recovery.

However, the one-time East Bay High School student who was making plans to graduate and head to the University of Florida on a full scholarship before the attack, is now ready to share her name, her struggles and her triumphs with the public through her own website.

"My name is Queena and I'm a survivor," she says in the introduction to her site, www.joinqueena.com.

The website tells the story of an outgoing 18-year-old high school senior who was on her way to an overnight get-together with friends one evening in April 2008. But before heading out, she dutifully dropped some books off at the Bloomingdale Regional Library’s drive-through book drop so they wouldn’t be overdue.

There, while talking on her cell phone to a friend, Queena was attacked by 16-year-old Bloomingdale High School student Kendrick Morris, who brutally raped, beat and left her to die in a secluded location next to the library.

Morris was convicted in May 2011 and sentenced to 65 years in prison.

In the meantime, the community rallied around Queena and her family, hosting fundraisers to pay for the therapy and equipment she needed to put her on the path of healing.

It hasn't been the miraculous recovery for which her family prayed. Her injuries left her blind, unable to walk or talk. She requires around-the-clock care and attends daily physical, occupational and experimental therapies to aid her recovery.

But she is making improvements, said her mother, Vanna. Queena is able to communicate by widening her eyes, smiling and clenching her fists.

Through prayers, the community’s support and Queena’s determination, Vanna said her daughter makes strides every day.

“Her warmth, determination and ability to connect with others has remained strong,” said Vanna.

Friends and family will celebrate those triumphs along with Queena’s 23^rd birthday, Saturday, April 20, with a party and the unveiling of the new website at Keel & Curley Winery in Plant City.

Among those invited are the health-care professionals and therapists who have worked with her as well as her many classmates who have supported her and the members of the community who raised funds for Queena.

The event also will include a prayer vigil for the victims and survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings.

“The month of April is not overshadowed by tragedy for us,” said Vanna. “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.”  

She said it was her daughter’s decision to share her personal journey with the public.

“She wants the world to know her side of the story and follow her remarkable progress as she continues her recovery,” said her mother.

The website created by FullMedia of Gainesville, Ga., documents Queena’s journey over the past five years including updates on her most recent treatments, therapies and never-before-revealed details of her daily life.

The website includes family photos, doctors’ and therapists’ notes, and insights from Queena’s family and friends on her recovery.

The site also emphasizes her continuing need for funds for her treatments. Medicaid covers only $1,500 per year of her physical and speech therapy. However, her treatments cost nearly $70,000 a year. The website includes an online donation page, permitting supporters to donate directly to Queena’s trust fund.

“It’s important to Queena that her story is shared,” said Vanna. “Queena believes that she has a purpose and a reason for being alive and with us today, and we hope that others will be inspired and find hope in her progress and continued recovery.”