I am shaken. I am distraught. I am half an hour away from where 50 people were killed and 53 were put in critical condition less than 24 hours ago. I am 16 years old and live in Orlando, FL.
I heard about the shooting and it seemed fake. It seemed unreal. Pulse Night Club isn't just a night club - no. It was a safe haven. It was a dream. It was where in 367 days, I was supposed to be having my 18th birthday party. It's strange. It's so weird. If it had been then, I would've been killed - I can't imagine where I'll be then. I am so shaken. At first, we heard 20. Then, we heard 49. 49?! 49. 102 people were critically/fatally injured. 102 people out, trying to have a good time, 102 people celebrating. 49 people with their blood splattered across the once safe haven and fatally wounded and 53 people critically injured and will forever be scarred while they were trying to have a great time at one of the best LGBT+ clubs in Orlando. These 53 people were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center where the hospital was temporarily shut down to care for the victims.
With this, I hope all the victims will recover quickly but this is traumatic for me and I wasn't even there so the reality may be, they may need mental help forever. Only about 30 of the 49 names have been released but 48 families have been notified about their loved ones deaths- additionally, while the cops were walking around Pulse with blood splattered and bodies everywhere, cellphones have been reported to have been going off in the murdered victims pockets.
Wow. What did they do? The police, did they answer the phones in an attempt to identify? Did they just let the phones frantically ring? We have no idea.
This is heartbreaking. This is reality. I have no idea what to write on this tragedy that not only happened in my community but affected my LGBTQ+ family. I pray, hope, and am thinking about those who have lost or have injured victims. I encourage you to express support over social media. I encourage you to donate blood (oneblood.org). I encourage you to donate money. I encourage you to find a way to help. Thank you.
