Christy Carlson Romano, the former Disney star known for her role in "Even Stevens," recently experienced a terrifying incident while celebrating her husband’s birthday. During a clay pigeon shooting outing, Romano was accidentally shot in the face by a member of another party who fired unsafely in the wrong direction. The incident occurred over the weekend, leaving her with injuries that could have resulted in permanent blindness.
Romano shared her harrowing experience on social media, revealing that she was struck in five locations, including directly beneath her eye. In an Instagram post, she expressed her gratitude for surviving the ordeal, stating, "It is a miracle" that she wasn’t blinded. Doctors informed her that the shot missed critical areas of her eye by less than one millimeter, a fortunate turn of events given the severity of her injuries.
The actress detailed her injuries, which included a bruise under her eye and a "subconjunctival hemorrhage," a condition characterized by bleeding underneath the conjunctiva of the eye. Fortunately, there was no damage to her actual eye, as confirmed by Dr. Sean Paul of Austin Face & Body. However, a lead fragment from the shot remains lodged in her face, as doctors advised that removing it could jeopardize her vision. Another fragment embedded in her skull will also stay in place to aid in her healing.
Romano, who is 40 years old, explained that the shooting incident has left her feeling sore and fatigued, but she is on the road to recovery. She expressed her appreciation for the support from her family, friends, and fans during this challenging time. "I am very sore and tired, but I am resting and healing up well," she stated.
In her reflections on the incident, Romano emphasized the fragility of life, urging her followers to cherish their loved ones. "With everything that happened, all I can think about is how grateful I am to be alive," she wrote. The actress’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety during outdoor activities, particularly those involving firearms.
Clay pigeon shooting, typically considered a safe sport when proper precautions are taken, involves shooting at clay targets launched into the air. However, this incident highlights the potential dangers when safety protocols are not followed. Romano’s experience has sparked discussions about the importance of responsible gun use and the need for vigilance in recreational shooting environments.