Patricia's legs don't work but she can still fish and preach

“Just because my legs don’t work doesn’t mean I can’t fish.”

I have been to the Fairhope pier hundreds of times and have never seen anyone fishing off the end of the boardwalk in a wheelchair. Her name is Patricia and she can't walk today because she was shot in 1996 by friendly fire while she was a nurse in Germany. The soldier was on PCP. She had been a military nurse for 16 years and started life over after her medical discharge.

She had to decide between feeling sorry for herself or accepting this happened for a reason and get out and have a life. She says if God had meant for her to die, she would have died with that bullet. Patricia "doesn't do pity parties" and is making the most of being alive. She went back to school and got her Ph.D. in religious education. After experiencing how hard it is to get around in a wheelchair, she worked with the legislature to make access a little easier for others.

I met Patricia the same day I met a Mobile police officer who was angry about gun violence in Mobile. He spoke out against men with guns and a public that no longer seems to care about the life each deadly shot takes. He told me I was going to help tell the stories of the victims and start an honest conversation about what is going on. I said yes, but went to the bay that afternoon to tell God there is no way because I am not qualified to tell a story like that.

He sent me Patricia instead. Six months ago, she started Say Not to Guns and Yes to Life in Birmingham. She said it seemed like everyone was waiting for someone else to do something about violence so she did something herself. The only way gun violence changes if people of God speak out and step up because the government isn't going to do it.

"This is starting at home and we have to find out what is bothering the young people and how can we help them and get them to stop killing each other," she says. "I want to show them another way of life."

She cares about kids because she raised three of her own and is proud that two work in home healthcare and the other is a lawyer.

Patricia believes that love is the answer to everything in the world. She says it is as easy as just loving one person and it will be contagious and pass on. Every day her purpose is to love and help someone else.

"At night I thank God for the people I came into contact with and want Him to bless them and bring joy into their life,” she says. “I am going to pray for you tonight."

I have prayed for Patricia, too. God speaks to me through strangers. This one was loud and clear.