BY LEXI GROSS
On Tuesday, March 6th, FHSU students and the community of Hays had the chance to listen to a powerful and uplifting message by Angel Colon. Colon is a survivor of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, which was — until Las Vegas in October — the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Colon is a proud member of the LGBTQ and Hispanic community. Today, he uses his voice to advocate diversity and love. He travels nationwide speaking to audiences about his story and how everything he accomplished was almost taken away by one man’s hate. He remembered those that lost their lives and thanked the first responders, officers and other survivors that were so courageous during this time.
His presentation started with his story of Sunday, June 12th when the shooting took place. He could remember hugging his friend goodbye when he first heard the pop of the gun. Colon’s injuries that night included a broken leg that left him unable to move and multiple gunshot wounds. But despite these injuries, he is able to walk again and has changed his attitude on life.
One of the biggest things that helped turn him around was when he saw his family in the hospital for the first time after Pulse. After spending a few days with them, Colon decided he was not going to spend his days being miserable. Knowing this was his second chance at life, he thought of how he could make his life and this world a better place.
Three words kept repeating in his head as his mind was racing: love, hope, and positivity. The love and support that spread throughout his community gave him hope and encouraged him to spread his own love and take action. And finally, he knew he had to spread positivity and it was as simple as smiling while recovering.
“As I went into depths with these three words, love, hope and positivity, I learned the power of one word and that was forgiveness,” Colon said. “Forgiveness was something that I really fought and struggled with. But I wanted to feel happy again. And forgiveness was the one powerful word that would get me there.”
Colon learned how to forgive not only the gunman, but to forgive within and change his way. This was his big step in making a difference.
Colon’s sister, Denise, also spoke that night about how to be a supportive family member especially with someone that suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) like Colon does. The biggest advice she had was to be supportive of the family member and listen to what they have to say. She said how they need to feel comfort and know that they are loved.
To close the presentation, a question and answer was opened up to the audience. Many of the questions were about ways Colon copes with PTSD or how he handles all the negative comments from people with different beliefs. His best advice was to treat people with kindness and respect. Colon said we are all different and diverse and that’s what makes us unique. If we spread love and positivity throughout, it will become contagious and make the problems we face better.
Colon’s message was empowering and it is safe to say that a few hearts might have been changed that night in the Beach Schmidt auditorium.
