Through the Eyes of Destiny Campbell

September 2012, The Giayana Monae Genesis Foundation LLC hosted their 2nd annual Extravaganza in Edwin, NJ. They honored several children. One of the honorees was 10-year-old Destiny Campbell from Wilmington, Delaware.  This was the first time this foundation honored a child who wasn't diagnosed with a major illness that causes hair loss. Destiny's hair lost was contributed to a viscous pit bull attack in 2006. Crystal Blakeley-Feliciano fought back tear during the presentation for Destiny. Feliciano presented Destiny with a gift cards and flowers from Model/Actress Nacone Martin. Than Feliciano gave her a large gift basket full of toys and gift card from Toys “R”US from Ted Fernando from the Greek Orthodox Church in New Jersey. Also she stated that Ana Vera would be making a custom hairpiece on her behalf.

NBC 10 reporter Tim Furlong reported,  "On January 30, 2006 UPDATED: 9:07 am EST January 31, 2006 NEW CASTLE, Del. -- A 3-year-old girl remains in critical condition at Christiana Hospital. Police said the incident happened on Oakmont Avenue at 10:30 a.m. in New Castle. Police and paramedics responded after they received the report of a child who was attacked by a pit bull. When they arrived, they found Destiny Campbell suffering from massive head and shoulder injuries. Police said the victim and her mother had driven to a home to pick up the child's grandmother. While inside the home, a dog, named Diamond, attacked the child. Police said that the attack was unprovoked.

 

The Destiny Campbell Story Video done by Shereen Williams

And began beating the dog with sticks and broom handles. The SPCA later responded to the scene and caught the dog, which had fled from the residents. Witnesses said that the dog was generally peaceful and calmed down immediately after the attack. "After this happened, the dog appeared to be polite. The tail was wagging. Even when the SPCA arrived and had to corral the dog with the lasso, the dog was still listening," said Trinidad Navarro, of the New Castle County Police Department."
 In 2006 Steve Sailor  reported, “One bit of good news: the dog, which was put down, has been determined to be non-rabid."

During a face-to-face interview with Destiny and her godmother Turquoise Robinson Destiny stated, that she is not afraid of dogs anymore. However she is still afraid if pit bulls do to the attack.  I actually have a small dog and she reads to a service dog in her classroom. Turquoise Robinson stated, that it was a struggle dealing with all the issues surrounding this attack. However their family has healed and she currently has children and they all play together as a family

The Destiny Campbell and Turquoise Robinson interview done by Shereen Williams

Morieka Johnson stated, “Reintroduce pets slowly: Each situation differs, but psychiatrists often use exposure therapy to help patients deal with phobias, Avasthi says. The process resembles slow and deliberate steps that his parents took many years ago. Therapy may begin with kids seeing photos of puppies, then pint-sized pups and, eventually, larger dogs.