BRANDON, Fla. — Wednesday marked a tragic anniversary for a Tampa Bay-area family.
Queena Phu, just barely 18 years old, was set to graduate and attend college. However, she was beaten, raped, and left for dead at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library exactly sixteen years ago.
The attack left her with a severe traumatic brain injury and in need of around-the-clock care. Phu cannot walk, talk, or eat on her own, but her family said her story of survival continues to inspire people around the world.
"Queena has become an inspiration for everyone," her mother Vanna Nguyen said.
Nguyen said she wants to keep sharing her daughter's story in hopes it encourages others to never give up despite their own struggles.
10 Tampa Bay connected with Phu and her family at The Overton Clinic in Brandon for a neurosomatic therapy session.
Phu has been receiving care from therapists there for years. There, she's considered family.
"We love having her here," Melinda Lugo, one of the center's owners, said. "We really feel blessed to be part of the team that gets to be kind of part of her healthcare team."
The team helps Phu with a variety of functions, including helping with movement control and relieving pain. For instance, with Phu's verbal communication affected by the attack, therapists are able to identify pain affecting her body through different techniques, massages and stretches.
"We feel very privileged to be able to do that," Lugo said.
Phu's mother published a book titled, "The Life She Once Knew." It details the impact the attack has had on her family, however, it also goes in-depth on Nguyen's life prior as a refugee from South Vietnam.
A portion of the prologue of her book writes, "It is my hope that the memories shared within this book will inspire people to get up and fight no matter what their current battles might be."
Years after the attack, Nguyen said she's thankful for the support she receives from strangers. She added it keeps her going on days when she feels down.
Phu's attacker Kendrick Morris, who was 16 years old at the time of the attack, is serving life in prison.
If you'd like to donate to Phu's medical expenses or learn more about her journey, visit this link.