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AMERICAN FORK — An American Fork woman just returned from a visit to Newtown, Conn. She was there to share a book of healing and her own experiences with families still recovering from the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Amber Wright survived the shooting at Columbine High School more than a dozen years ago.
KSL-TV first introduced you to Amber Wright three months ago when she was [raising money to self-publish a book](
Last week, Wright gave the books to parents in Connecticut, and also gave them new hope.
"You may think you will never feel normal again, but it gets much better," Wright said.
One father said that he felt like I wrote the book for him.
–Amber Wright, author and Columbine survivor
"It Gets Better: A Book of Healing" was written for kids with pictures and messages of hope. "One father said that he felt like I wrote the book for him," she said.
Wright was in the library when the shooting started at Columbine High School in Colorado 14 years ago. After the shooting at Sandy Hook, she wanted to help.
"They can see me and see how I'm doing, and that gave them hope," Wright said.
And it gave them hope especially for their children. Wright only met with a few kids, because their emotions are still fragile.
One parent emailed a positive message about her daughter.
"She hasn't felt this much hope since December, and I feel grateful that I could be there and give them that hope," Wright said.
The parents eagerly listened to Wright's story, which gave them insight into the recovery of their children.
"It was even amazing to me that I would say something, and they would say, 'Yeah, I feel that way too,' " Wright said. "Or, ‘My child is going through that, too.' "
I remember, years ago, saying to myself, 'With all that I'm going through right now, if I can help somebody later, it will be worth it to me.'
–Amber Wright, author and Columbine survivor
Wright self-published the book with the help of fellow Columbine survivor Liz Carlston. The photographs are by Sarah Wood of American Fork.
The families also thanked Wright for the outpouring of support from those in Utah communities who donated money for the books.
"I remember, years ago, saying to myself, 'With all that I'm going through right now, if I can help somebody later, it will be worth it to me,' " she said.
The book is available on amazon.com. Proceeds will be rolled back into printing more books for kids in need of healing.
