Ronny Ahmed, age 32 Ronny is a survivor of the 2014 Florida State University shooting. Today, he is courageously speaking out against the shocking increase in gun violence seen all over the country. Ahmed was paralyzed after being shot in the spine during the tragic shooting spree on FSU’s Strozier Library. Today, he is a board member and the vice president of Life Worth Leading, a faith-based nonprofit headquartered in Tallahassee. The nonprofit is focused on creating a better life for veterans and people with disabilities. From scuba diving to cycling and therapy animals, these organizations are on the frontline actively supporting underserved communities.
At 21, Ahmed’s life was upended in a major way. He took a bullet that left him paralyzed from the waist down and greatly limited his ability to use his right arm. As one of the three people shot in the FSU shooting, Ahmed went through a great deal but fought back and overcame so many obstacles. Through the persistence of his mother, Baker ultimately sued and settled with Florida State University for $1 million for damages. This financial win has given him the confidence to pursue his dreams, like entering flight school to earn his pilot’s license and eventually hopes to attend grad school.
Although there’s a lot Ahmed can’t do physically, he communicates an inspiring wish to enjoy life to the fullest. He emphasizes the importance of community and connection, stating, “I still do everything I can to help the people around me, to check on my friends, to ask and care about the people around me.” He is an advocate for social awareness and education, which he believes are crucial in stopping future tragedies from occurring due to gun violence.
Ahmed is still doubtful that an America without gun violence is possible. He names a profound civilizational shift toward apathy, especially in younger people. “We don’t talk to our kids. We put them in front of iPads and expect them to raise themselves,” he remarked. This communication gap may play a role in the persistent problems of violence and mental health.
Roshan Ahmed, reflecting on how dire things are, says it doesn’t have to be this way. “We only have one life here, and for some people, it’s very short,” he shared. His personal experiences serve to further remind us that no action is too small. It inspires each of us to more intentionally cultivate compassion and respect in our relationships with others.
Ahmed is excited to continue advocacy work at Life Worth Leading. Through this work, he hopes to motivate others to engage with their communities and address the issues that matter most. Though he admits that answers are not easily found, he believes that candid conversation can inspire transformation. “There’s no putting Pandora back in the box,” he concluded, emphasizing the need for proactive measures against violence.
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