NEW YORK – A New York City girl paralyzed by a stray bullet from a gang member three years ago has delivered an inspirational speech to her middle school graduating class.
Fourteen-year-old Tayloni Mazyck told the New Design Middle School in Harlem on Monday, "Today I am a winner."
She says the shooting "does not limit me, it just helps the fighter in me stay alive."
The girl was 11 when the stray bullet hit her chin and became lodged in her spine. She lost the use of her legs.
Kane Cooper was sentenced to 17 years in prison in the shooting.
Tayloni, who made her school's merit roll, plans to attend the city's High School for Law, Advocacy and Community Justice in the fall.
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