I Choose to be Happy

On December 1, 1997, a fourteen-year-old boy pulled a semi-automatic pistol from his backpack and randomly opened fire in the Heath High School lobby in West Paducah, Kentucky. Eight students were shot; three of them were killed.

Among the injured was fifteen-year-old Missy Jenkins. The FHA president and flutist in the marching band was hit by a bullet that clipped her spine. Later that day, though knowing she was paralyzed from the chest down and would likely never walk again, Missy forgave the shooter and accepted her disability, ultimately reclaiming her life.

With an unbreakable spirit, Missy finished high school, graduated from college, became a school counselor, married her college sweetheart, gave birth to two children, met with the shooter in prison, and now speaks publicly about her life with messages on empathy, bullying, forgiveness, and overcoming obstacles.

Missy has received several honors, from “Kentuckian of the Year” to being named one of Ladies’ Home Journal’s “Most Fascinating Women.” She has been featured on “Oprah,” “Good Morning America,” “Dateline,” and “Anderson Cooper 360.”

This is one woman’s incredible story of hope, love, courage, and determination that will leave readers inspired to make the most of each day.

This book was updated in the summer of 2014 and features discussion questions for teachers to use in their classrooms.