(Courtesy of the Chambliss family)

Update: A GoFundMe campaign has been set up, and the funds will be put in a 529 college savings plan for Taije.

Original:

The media has finally decamped from their front lawn, and Taije Chambliss has been slowly recovering from gunshot wounds to her legs with more fortitude than any 13-year-old could be expected to have.

It is most painful at night and in the early morning, Taije says, as she spends the days doing her Chinese homework and hanging out at home after being released from the hospital in just one day. “I’m feeling better though,” she said.

A few days after starting the new school year, Taije returned from the library and was playing on a stoop with a group of other girls. A man ran up to the house, apparently to escape his pursuers. Despite the presence of children, they shot anyway—wounding both Taije and the unnamed man.

It could have been even worse. Taije moved immediately to shield another girl. “She was like 7 and she’s short and little and tiny,” she said. “If she would’ve been shot, she wouldn’t have been as strong as I was.”

Awed by Taije’s bravery and dismayed by the violence, neighbors have been coming by to bring meals and help out, says Deitra Nealy-Shane, a ministry leader at the Chambliss’ church and a kind of “adopted aunt.” The family is hoping that the shooting might help them finally get out of the neighborhood.

“There has been a lot of violence for a long time, and they’ve been trying to get a new location for quite some time,” said Nealy-Shane. “Hopefully now there will be some kind of movement toward that.”

D.C. Police have not made any arrests in the case, and a spokeswoman wouldn’t say if there are any suspects because it remains an open investigation.

When they do move, Nealy-Shane expressed hope that the community will continue to help the family out with donated furnishings and other necessities. For now, they are working to put together a crowdfunding page for the steady stream of people who have expressed an interest in helping such a remarkable child. They are also looking for any nurses who would be willing to help out with changing her bandages.

Taije told us that her favorite subject is Chinese, followed by P.E., but she also loves to write. So we asked if she wanted to pen her story in her own words. Here’s what she sent. It is everything.

1. “To be brave is not an action. It is putting your fear to the side to protect what’s good.

2. People may ask me how I am so strong. I take pride in what I do, I own it so I will go about life with no regrets with a head held high.” —Taije Chambliss