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Library rape survivor continues recovery nine years later,

Posted at 6:45 PM, Jul 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-24 18:45:37-04

Queena's therapy sessions are two hours of hard work.

RELATED: Bloomingdale Library rapist Kendrick Morris to be resentenced on March 9th

Her mom stays the whole time by her side.

Still her family needs your support.

"Queena, you're standing up right now girl. Good job,” said physical trainer George Palang.

Her face is flushed and cheeks sweaty.

"Start walking ok. Move that right foot. Right leg, there you go,” said Palang.

Her legs are shaking.

"Yeah, there you go girl! Put it down. Put it down. Good."

Every step is a fight.

"I know it's not easy for her,” said mom Vanna Nguyen.

Queena can't walk, talk or see after being brutally attacked at the Bloomingdale Library in 2008.

Now at 27 years old severe brain damage means her mom is her 24-hour caretaker, nurse and sometimes doctor.

"She tries so hard,” she said.

Her trainers take care of the rest.

"Lately, we try to get her to laugh. She knows our voices I think at least. We yell at her, like,
'Queena!' when she comes in she gives us a little smile,” said Palang.

A slight smile, an unsteady step and the shaking are all signs Queena is making progress at Stay in Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center.

But keeping her here is a huge financial stress on her family—one session costs $180 dollars.

"That lifts us up and keeps us going every day and we really need it,” said her mom.

Queena's sessions are not covered by health insurance.

Her family is holding a fundraiser August 6th from 5 to 9 at Top Golf in Brandon to pay for more time.