Healing From Tragedy & Emotional Trauma | Debbi Hixon | TEDxDavieRoadExtension | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

After losing her husband in a tragic shooting, Debbie Hickson found ways to honor his memory by advocating for gun control, providing scholarships, and running for the school board.

Key Insights

• 🥰 Tragedies can inspire individuals to find purpose and make a difference in honor of their lost loved ones.
• 🥰 Support from a community and a "one crazy family of love" can provide strength and help in the healing process.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Advocacy for gun control, mental health support, and responsible firearm ownership are important means of preventing further tragedies.

Transcript

Transcriber: Mariana Pasquale Reviewer: Walaa Mohammed (Music) (Applause) Thank you so much. My name is Debbie Hickson. I am the widow of Chris Hickson, one of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas mass shooting on February 14th of 2018. And today, I’m just gonna share a little bit about our story and really how you can take a tragedy and tur... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Chris Hickson die?

Chris Hickson was one of the victims of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. He was shot by someone with easy access to an AR-15 rifle.

Q: What initiatives did Debbie Hickson and other families start to honor their loved ones?

Debbie Hickson and the families of the victims started an organization called Stand With Parkland. They worked together to advocate for gun control legislation and mental health support. Additionally, Debbie started the Chris Hixon Foundation, which provides scholarships to student athletes.

Q: How did Chris Hixon impact his community?

Chris Hixon was an athletic director and coach who had a strong passion for sports and mentoring students. He volunteered his time to coach various teams, ensuring that all students had the opportunity to participate.

Q: How has Debbie Hickson continued to honor her husband's memory?

Debbie Hickson organizes an annual 5K run to raise funds for scholarships through the Chris Hixon Foundation. She also ran for the Broward County School Board, continuing her commitment to education and making a positive change in the community.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Debbie Hickson shares her personal story of losing her husband, Chris, in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas mass shooting.

• She highlights the importance of finding purpose in the midst of pain and grief.

• Debbie explains how she and other families affected by the tragedy have worked together and individually to honor their loved ones' memories.