LAKEWOOD PARK — Jackie Beck usually takes care of everyone else, but now she’s the one getting the attention.
Beck’s mere presence in her Lakewood Park home is nothing short of remarkable. Three months ago, her estranged husband shot her twice — once in the back and a second time in the face.
He then killed himself.
It happened Nov. 18. Billy Beck called her to the home the couple had shared until she moved out two weeks beforehand. He said he wanted to talk about a medical condition.
Beck said when she arrived, Billy pulled out a gun.
“I went to the front door, tried to get out of it fast and he shot me in the back,” she said. “And I started crawling to my neighbor’s house.
“As I was going across the outside, he dragged me back into the house, had another verbal something, I couldn’t tell you, and shot me in the head. ... At that point I said, ‘I’m not dying here in this hell hole, I’ve got to go outside.’ ”
The second gunshot caused the bones in Beck’s upper palate and sinus to pierce her brain.
Doctors first thought they couldn’t operate. When the 54-year old showed signs of movement the next day, they decided to try.
Beck underwent nine hours of brain surgery and spent time in a coma. She spent three months in the hospital before coming home Tuesday afternoon.
However, also coming home are the medical bills — and they are quickly piling up. Friends have organized a fundraiser to help her pay them Wednesday afternoon at Big Apple Pizza in Fort Pierce, across from Indian River State College.
Beck is most looking forward to getting back to her job. She’s an employee with the St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation Department. The job requires her to spend hours each day in the sun, something she hasn’t been able to do since November.
Jackie says she can’t wait to work on her tan.
“I’m working on fixing the leg, growing the hair, getting the eyeball and going back to work because I love my job,” she said.
FUNDRAISER
Family and friends of Jackie Beck have set up a fundraiser to help her with medical bills.
When: 4 p.m.-close Wednesday
Where: Big Apple Pizza, 2311 S. 35th St., Fort Pierce, across from Indian River State College.
More information: (772) 464-5200
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