Rachel's Miracle

COLUMBUS -- The gun shots rang out in August of 2006 in Worthington.
Seventeen-year-old Rachel Barezinsky and some friends wanted to see if a home was haunted. That's when the man who lives in the home, Allen Davis, fired his rifle from inside.

Some of the bullets hit Barezinsky in the head and shoulder, critically injuring her.  Davis is now serving 19 years in prison.
 
Five years after the shooting, a crowd at Columbus State Community College gave the now 22-year-old a standing ovation after she talked about the journey she's been on and the night that almost killed her.
    
But her message was one of hope.
    
She's worked excruciatingly hard to get to this point, and has had to redefine some goals.

"Before I was injured, I wanted to be a teacher," said Barezinsky. "Now I'm not sure. I may take a college class or 2 in the future, I don't know. One day I'd like to have my own family and gain full independence, move out of my parents house and live my own life."  
 
Rachel has become an inspiration to others, even reaching out to Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot last January.  "My mom and I sent her a care package and we received something from her."  She hopes to meet the congresswoman some day.  
 
In the meantime, the young woman with the golden smile says everyone has their own struggles, but a positive  attitude is everything.      

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Reporter: Terri Sullivan