Former child star Christy Carlson Romano, who rose to fame on the Disney Channel sitcom “Even Stevens,” was rushed to the hospital last week after being shot in the face during a clay pigeon shooting excursion.
The 40-year-old actress detailed the harrowing accident in a video posted to her Instagram account on Friday.
Romano lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, film producer Brendan Rooney. The couple married in 2013 and have two daughters: Isabella, 8, and Sophia, who turns 6 on Feb. 18.
The actress said the incident occurred on Feb. 7 while she and her husband were out shooting clay targets in celebration of his 42nd birthday. The popular shotgun sport, also known as clay shooting, involves firing shells loaded with small lead pellets at flying clay discs.
“There was another party with us and they unsafely fired in the wrong direction and shot me in the face,” Romano said in the caption.
Romano said her husband immediately sprung into action and rushed her to St. David’s South Austin Medical Center.
“I was hit in 5 places, one was less than an inch from hitting me directly in my right eye,” she wrote.
Wounds were visible on the actress’s face in the video, including a small, round hole below her eye.
Romano said fragments remained lodged in her forehead and behind her eye, noting that the latter was “too risky to remove surgically at this time.”
“Doctors will continue to monitor me (I can see normally at the moment),” she said.
Romano expressed gratitude to first responders, describing them as superheroes, as well as the doctors and nurses who cared for her while she was in the hospital.
“With everything that happened, all I can think about is how grateful I am to be alive,” she penned.
“I love my daughters, husband, family, and friends so much. I saw my life flash before my eyes and I’m telling you, hug the people around you every chance you can. Life can change in an instant.”
Romano’s followers were quick to share their well wishes in the comment section.
“I’m so sorry that happened. Wishing you a speedy recovery,” wrote actor Walter E. Jones, who starred in the ‘90s superhero television series “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.”
Actress Daniella Monet also wrote that she hoped Romano would heal soon.
“Holy moly Christy! What a miracle you’re ok and in good decent spirits. So so strong!” she said.
“Whoa—I’m so sorry this happened! So scary and glad you’re safe,” wrote “Full House” star Candace Cameron Bure.
“Praying for your complete and quick recovery!” said “Mean Girls” actress Lacey Chabert.
Romano’s husband noted that he was thankful his wife was alive.
“You are the bravest, toughest, most stoic and badass woman I have ever met,” he commented. “I am so thankful you are the mother to our children. I wouldn’t know what to do without you.”
The day after the accident, Rooney, a former Marine, posted a photo of Romano lying in a hospital bed to his Instagram feed.
In 2000, Romano garnered her breakout role as Ren Stevens on the television series “Even Stevens,” starring actors Shia LaBeouf and Tom Virtue.
The actress played the character for three seasons until the show’s conclusion in 2003, reprising her role that year in the film “The Even Stevens Movie.”
Romano is also known for voicing the animated character Kim Possible on the Disney Channel series of the same name, which aired from 2002 to 2007. The role earned her a Daytime Emmy nod in 2005 for “Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program.”
The actress also voiced the titular crime-fighting character in television movies such as “Kim Possible: A Stitch in Time” (2003) and “Kim Possible: So the Drama” (2005).
Romano now hosts the podcast “Vulnerable,” which she launched in early 2022.
