Woman shot in face speaks out after final surgery

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Though a South Florida mother obeyed a robber's commands, she would still come under fire. After being shot in the face, doctors said, her recovery is nothing short of remarkable.

"I feel so blessed," said Evelin Matamoros during a press conference at Jackson Memorial Hospital, "because now I have a second life."

Evelin Matamoros still has some swelling and stitches, but considering a bullet fractured her jaw and ended up lodged in her neck, she has made a remarkable recovery. "I'm very thankful to God and with all the people that love me," said Matamoros.

Two weeks ago, a robber shot Matamoros in the face as she left a Chinese restaurant in Miami with her two daughters. Even though she handed the robber her purse, he still fired a shot aimed right at her.

She remembers keeping her eyes open so that her daughters would know their mother had not died. "My priorities," said Matamoros, "are my daughters."

"She was brave to stay alive for us," cried Allison Matamoros.

Her two daughters said they are proud of their mother and how shot fought to stay alive after the shooting and are proud at how she has stayed strong during the series of surgeries that have followed. "I'm very grateful for her," said Allison, "because she gave me life, just like my dad did."

Matamoros said the support from her daughters is what continues to drive her recovery. Doctors said it will probably take a year for her wounds to heal.

Matamoros said she knows she will have those she loves by her side, helping her with the healing process. "I'm really so happy," said Matamoros, "for all of the support from my friends and family."

Fortunately, Matamoros is expected to make a full recovery. However, she does not have insurance, so she faces a mountain of medical bills. Anyone interested in helping Matamoros can make a donation through the Jackson Memorial Foundation website: http://www.jmf.org .

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