In March 2010, news of a vicious attack spread across Stephenville and much of Texas. Today, the victim of that attack is a freshman at Tarleton State University. Brandi Todd is a history major with dreams of joining the education system.

Todd was stabbed in the back while watching her children at a local Stephenville park, and was left paralyzed from the waist down. When asked what she might consider the hardest part about life after the attack, Todd had more than one answer.

“The hardest part about my life now is figuring out where I belong, missing my legs and being content with myself,” Todd said. “Trusting God’s plan, getting on my horse and [the] guilt I carry around, and medical issues that come with being crippled and changing light bulbs and being comfortable with the way I look and keeping my high heel shoes on my feet.”

Todd, who was 29 at the time of the attack, went back to work following the event. After some time, she came to the conclusion that something in her life needed to change.

“After my attack I actually went back to work, against my parents’ better judgment.  I just felt I needed to be working,” Todd said. “After working two years I began to see that things weren’t the same. Not only did I no longer have the ability to be promoted, I had actually been given a job where I made less money than before. I asked myself if in 30 years I would look back and be proud of what I’d done. The answer was no. The answer was school. I’ve lived here my whole life and my family is here so there was no question that Tarleton was where I’d go.”

News sources have been covering stories of Todd’s recovery, which has included a trip to California for Project Walk, and more recently, countless hours in the TSU Psycle Lab.

“I think I do about as well as anyone in my position could do,” Todd said. “I still ride horses and I work out with all the fabulous guys and gals at the Psycle Lab. Those things help keep me motivated. I have days when I’d like to give up. I have a great support system in my family that always encourages me to just keep moving.”

Todd has come a long way from where she once was, and continues to strive to move forward, with hopes of contributing to the education world.

“Upon graduating I’d like to find a job teaching, then hopefully work my way up to administration,” Todd said.

Even though life took an unexpected turn for her four years ago, Todd’s greatest hopes for the future are centered around her children.

“My greatest hopes for the future are that my kids grow up to be compassionate, hardworking and honest adults,” Todd said. “I hope they are proud of me.  That I can look back on my life and know that I gave it 110% and be proud of myself.  That people will have more good than bad to say about me. If I can achieve those things then I’ll consider it a life well lived.”