‘Miracle of the decade’: Madison school shooting survivor’s family leans on faith during 10-month hospitalization

 

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MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – It’s a parent’s unending love and faith in God, that’s held the Garduno-Martinez family together in the 10 months since the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.

The Madison family has experienced some of the most painful times imaginable, as Samy Garduno-Martinez was one of the students critically wounded following the school shooting.

As a student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School on Dec. 16, 2024, Gabi Martinez was working from home.

She said she got a text message from her other son, saying Samy had been shot.

Samy had been shot four times, including twice in the head. Trauma doctors at American Family Children’s Hospital rushed him into surgery.

“I don’t know if he was minutes or hours from losing his life, but that was certainly life saving surgery,” said Dr. Brian Williams.

“The doctors came out and said we’ve done everything we could,” remembered Samy’s dad, Espiri Garduno-Cruz.

Doctors gave Samy an almost 3% chance of survival.

“We cannot describe with words how painful it is to see your son die,” Gabi Martinez said. “…But God has been giving us the strength to keep it moving forward. To see multiple miracles and wonders.”

Nine days later, one of those miracles came to be. Samy was off of a breathing tube, and he started eating, talking and walking.

“I see how much he can do on his own, you know, just getting a little help here and there,” said Espiri Garduno. “He was working really hard.”

“Incredible progress for somebody that presented with so much trauma, so much damage, especially to his brain,” Dr. Williams said.

Doctors gave the family a discharge date, and then the unthinkable happened. Samy had a setback in March, as doctors discovered a rare form of autoimmune encephalitis.

“It was absolutely shocking and devastating to his care team,” Dr. Williams said.

Samy was back in the ICU and in an induced coma for five weeks.

For months, Samy was unable to speak or move. But Gabi and Espiri’s faith never faltered.

“I said, God, I don’t want to hear,” Gabi said. “It’s too much. It’s so painful. But he remained silent.”

Little by little, Samy began coming back.

Samy’s seizures have stopped, he can breathe on his own again and his signature smile has returned too.

“Samy has been the miracle of the decade,” Espiri said.

Lining the hospital hallway, many of Samy’s 350 care team members cheered him on as he left American Family Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Dr. Williams. “It’s it’s tragic. But at the same time, hopefully there’s some hope and optimism.”

Dr. Williams said Samy will likely always need some level of care.

Samy’s family plans to be in Chicago for the next two months while he is being treated at Shirley Ryan Rehabilitation Hospital in Chicago, but they do plan to return to Madison.

The GoFundMe for Samy’s family is up to around $190,000.

While that amount is incredible, the family explained their long-term needs include a different home and van, which is both hospital bed and wheelchair accessible.

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