In light of the random, fatal stabbing of Tiffany Ferguson, similar stabbing victim, Austin Stuck, spoke out about his experience.
For him, the road to recovery after nearly being stabbed to death has been a long one, but one that has shown the power of perseverance and determination.
"Miracles can happen. I know it sounds cliché, but they do happen because I am a miracle," Stuck said not only of his survival, but his recovery also.
It was back in November when Stuck's life changed forever. He was asleep on the couch after a night out with friends in the Five Points area when he woke up to his attacker.
He was confronted by the intruder, who entered through an unlocked door and stabbed Stuck numerous times.
He was able to get away and call for his roommates and friends' help, who administered CPR until paramedics arrived, likely saving his life.
At one point, when one of his roommates was administering the CPR, Stuck stopped breathing.
"He actually said out loud, 'he's dead,'" Stuck said. "Then for some reason, he just decided to start doing it again. Then all of the sudden, I just came back to life."
Stuck lost a lot of blood and suffered a stroke, but his body never gave up.
"When I finally realized I was going to make it, I was just shocked. It was just incredible," Stuck explained.
Months later, after having to spend a month in a wheelchair and go through intense physical and cognitive rehab, Stuck was ready to get his life back on track.
"I think I was saved for a reason," Stuck explained. "Obviously, you can't survive the impossible and not think it was for a reason."
Stuck said he plans to continue working at Utilize Health, where he worked before the stabbing, using his story and new outlook on life to inspire others on their road to recovery.
"I just want everyone to know who's going through something really hard in their life that you can persevere and it's just the power of your mind that can do it for you," Stuck said.
The man who police believed stabbed Stuck was captured and is behind bars.
