On Aug. 4, 2007, Christine Kent was the victim of a horrible crime that has left her changed forever. On that date, Kent was attacked by a stalker at her Fort Lauderdale, Fla. home.
Allan Sinclair had become obsessed with her when she did not want to be his girlfriend. She rebuffed his advances toward her and told him that they could only be friends. After not seeing Sinclair for three years, he showed up at her house and said that he was in the area and thought that he’d stop by to say hello. He wanted what he couldn’t have and put a gun to the back of her head. Christine spoke to him about God and pleaded with him to let her go. When she fled for her life, he shot her twice, with one of the bullets obliterating her spine.
Paralyzed, she laid on the gravel beside her driveway as Sinclair ran over her with his SUV, turning the tire while on top of her abdomen, further shattering her body. Sinclair fled the scene and Christine desperately screamed for help, but no one came. Her neighbor’s phoned the police when they heard the shots fired, but they were too afraid to go to her aid.
Thinking the horrific ordeal was over; Christine was shocked to find that her attacker came back within minutes in an attempt to hide her from view. He grabbed her by the ankles and dragged her across the driveway, leaving her behind the hedges. Being left there to die, she prayed for her life and to be saved while waiting to be rescued. Christine survived, by the grace of God.
Fortunately for Christine and for all of us, this dangerous man was apprehended the very next day. Sinclair pled guilty to attempted rape and attempted murder first degree on Oct.2, 2009 and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Now Christine has some closure and peace of mind knowing that he’ll never get out to hurt her or anyone else ever again. Christine’s injuries have left her paralyzed from the waist down, in unrelenting pain and fear of what the future holds.
The doctors confirm that the injury to her spine is so severe that she’ll never walk again. Having spent over five months in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, she is blessed to be back in her own home. Christine tries to remain positive despite her disability and feels that everyday is a gift and life is a blessing. She is thankful that her condition is not worse, and at least she’s able to use her upper body.
The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group of South Florida has been a big help to her with adjusting, problem solving, goal setting and offering encouragement. Christine wishes so much to be independent and looks forward to being active again, at least as far as her circumstances allow.
The costs associated with her injuries are quite high. These include medications, medical equipment, medical treatments, rehabilitation, home modifications and the purchase of a handicap accessible van in the near future. Unfortunately, she cannot afford all these necessary changes. Would you please help? Your consideration is greatly appreciated.
To assist with Christine’s injury-related uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign has been established with the Catastrophic Injury Program of the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF). NTAF is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the transplant and catastrophic injury community for 25 years. All contributions are tax-deductible and are ad-ministered for injury-related expenses only.
If you wish to make a donation: Make check payable to: NTAF Southeast Spinal Cord Injury Fund. Write on check memo line: In honor of Christine Kent. Mail to: NTAF 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120 Radnor, PA 19087.
To use a credit card, please visit www.catastrophicfund.org and type “Kent” into the yellow box on the left or call 800-642-8399.
Thank you for your prayers, support and donations.
Christine Kent
