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‘Book dream has come true’

Gunshot victim-turned-author basks in triumph amid tragedy

Published:Wednesday | August 25, 2021 | 12:10 AMOlivia Brown/Gleaner Writer
Kevin Robinson, who was disabled because of a gunshot wound, shows off his new book, ‘True Pain: A Real Life Story’, at his home in Sevens Heights, Clarendon.
Kevin Robinson, who was disabled because of a gunshot wound, shows off his new book, ‘True Pain: A Real Life Story’, at his home in Sevens Heights, Clarendon.
Kevin Robinson, who was shot and paralysed in 1998, oozes optimism in this September 2020 Gleaner photograph.
Kevin Robinson, who was shot and paralysed in 1998, oozes optimism in this September 2020 Gleaner photograph.
Anthony Beckford, Campbell's spouse.
Anthony Beckford, Campbell's spouse.
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Almost 23 years after his life appeared to have been shattered by a gunman's bullet, Kevin Robinson is opening a new chapter – literally.

The 38-year-old released his book, True Pain: A R eal Life Story, on August 2 narrating a tale of triumph amid tribulation.

Paralysed from his waist down, Robinson shot to prominence in a Gleaner video last September when he told of his motivation to inspire others after surviving tragedy. He was only 16 when his life changed forever from that gun attack.

Images of his broad smile and infectious optimism, from his bedroom in Sevens Heights, Clarendon, heartened a nation that has long battled violent crime and been weighed down by its trauma.

Robinson had long nurtured ambitions of documenting his life story and getting it published.

His interest piqued, Leroy Hutchinson, director of OYR Books and Publishing, reached out and offered to assist Robinson with his lifelong dream.

“Me finally have a dream weh come true. I never know I would live to see a dream like this come true. As the song say, 'I got to be dreaming', but me nah dream at all 'cause me hold the [book] in a mi hand, and mi give God thanks and praise,” said an enthused Robinson.

The first chapter of his book, dubbed 'Angry Bullets', tells the tale of that fateful incident in 1998 that crippled his aspirations.

“Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! People began to scatter, running in all directions, and that's when I finally tried to escape the horrors of that moment. For a minute, I was running down the road, and the next minute, I found myself on the ground.

“Reality slowly crawled to my side and painfully kicked me. I noticed that something terrible was wrong with me. I could not move my feet. They shot me. A bullet had punctured my skin and forced its way right through my back,” the book reads.

Robinson lauded Hutchinson and his team for their help in making his dream a reality. He calls the publisher a godsend who has always been frank.

The fledgling author, who began penning his story in 2019, said writing is the best channel to share his life journey with others.

“Even when I'm no more, I would like this book to be a like the legend that will never die, and the hero that will always be remembered. I want my story to reach out there and be a motivation and inspiration to others,” he told The Gleaner.

Hutchinson, who is also an author, said that Robinson's story is full of teachable moments.

“His story could have ended at 16 after he was shot, but somehow, he managed to turn a horror story into one of triumph, hope, and strength. His story taught us that life doesn't end with tragedy – unless we allow it to. Life is a choice we have to make daily,” Hutchinson said.

“Kevin's survival over these years was not by accident ... . The purpose was hidden somewhere in there,” continued Hutchinson, adding that his wife had shared the Gleaner video that went viral last September.

In the first six days, close to 50 copies of the book had been sold. The OYR team has since purchased 30 copies for Robinson to hand-sell locally.

“Kevin's story is clearly an impactful one, and the world needed to hear it. It was our pleasure playing a part in telling his story. It can only get better for Kevin from here,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson's wife, author and co-director, Ann-Monique Bailey Hutchinson, said she is enthused to have shared in Robinson's journey.

“Other persons dream of becoming millionaires, or owning their first home, but Kevin dreamt of telling and making a difference with his story, and we are about making sure that we do our part so that purpose can come alive,” she said.

OYR is to host a virtual book launch for Robinson's book on Saturday, September 25.