Former Disney star Christy Carlson Romano has shared the harrowing details of an incident that nearly cost her her eye during a clay pigeon shooting event with her husband, Brendan Rooney, for his birthday. The 41-year-old actress revealed that she was shot in the face, with fragments of birdshot landing dangerously close to her eye, leaving some pellets lodged in her face and behind her eye. Romano described the event as a ‘miracle’ that she is not blind, highlighting the life-threatening nature of the injury and the importance of gun safety during recreational shooting.
During an appearance on the ‘Not a Damn Chance!’ podcast, Romano recounted the incident, explaining that she was hit with a birdshot spray from another party while shooting clay pigeons. Despite the initial shock, Romano maintained a calm demeanor, reacting with a knee-jerk response shaped by her experiences on the TV show ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.’ She gave a thumbs-up to her husband, Brendan Rooney, to signal her condition, but he quickly realized she was injured and acted to ensure her safety. Romano emphasized the critical moments that followed, including the potential for severe injury or even death had she been a millimeter off.
Romano also shared her fears of losing her sight, noting that the pellet fragment is just 1 millimeter away from blinding her. Doctors have decided to leave the fragment in place due to the risk of further damage, as removing it could lead to blindness. The injury has had a profound impact on Romano, who admits it has been challenging to accept her status as a ‘gunshot survivor.’ The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of even seemingly safe recreational activities like clay pigeon shooting, reinforcing the need for strict safety protocols and awareness among participants.
Despite the alarming nature of the incident, Romano has tried to maintain a sense of humor, as she was making light of her medical crisis in the hospital. However, she admitted that the experience has left her with a deep appreciation for the fragility of life and the importance of preparedness. Romano’s story not only highlights the unpredictable nature of such events but also underscores the necessity of responsible gun handling and the potential consequences of negligence in recreational shooting sports.