Shot by a disgruntled employee, I discovered the heroism of ordinary people. | Dennis Charney

TL;DR

A renowned doctor recounts his experience of being a victim of a violent crime and how his prior research on resilience helped him recover.

Transcript

I was the victim of a violent crime. In August of 2016 I was coming out of a local deli in Chappaqua, New York, where I live, and I was walking out with a bagel and ice coffee, which was my regular routine, turned toward my car and all of a sudden I heard a loud boom, looked at my shoulder and saw blood gushing out. It turned out I was hit by a sho... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔇 The speaker's personal experience highlights the importance of resilience in overcoming trauma.
• 🧑‍🏭 Ordinary individuals can display extraordinary acts of courage during crisis situations.
• 👨‍🔬 Prior research on resilience can have a profound impact on personal recovery, even for the researchers themselves.
• 🖐️ Trauma victims are permanently affected, but resilience factors play a vital role in their recovery.
• 🤔 Social support, positive thinking, and self-identification as a resilient person can aid in the healing process.
• 🧑‍🏭 Trauma can cause individuals to reevaluate their past experiences to identify potential motives for the violent act.
• 🚶 The notion of walking the walk and proving resilience became critical for the speaker during his recovery.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker's prior research on resilience help him in his own recovery?

The speaker had studied resilience for 25 years and identified ten factors that contribute to resilience. These factors, such as positive thinking and social support, helped him navigate his own trauma and aid in his recovery.

Q: Why did the speaker initially suspect a disgruntled faculty member as the assailant?

The speaker had terminated a faculty member years before due to scientific misconduct. As he pondered who would want to harm him, he recalled this individual and later confirmed that the shooter was indeed that person.

Q: What were some of the acts of bravery showcased during the incident?

Ordinary individuals in the deli intervened to prevent the assailant from causing further harm. The local police also displayed courage by apprehending the armed assailant, while an off-duty police officer offered protection and stated he wished he had taken the bullets.

Q: How did the speaker's experience personally validate his research on resilience?

During his recovery, the speaker realized that many of the factors he had identified in resilient individuals were helping him overcome his trauma. This personal validation demonstrated the effectiveness of the research on resilience.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In August 2016, the speaker was shot outside a deli in Chappaqua, New York, but remained conscious and assessed that he would survive.

• Ordinary people in the deli showed immense courage by preventing the assailant from causing further harm and calling for help.

• The speaker's son, a doctor, and an off-duty police officer also displayed heroic actions to protect him and his family.