WINNIPEG – Maria Mitousis has been released from hospital and is at home recovering from wounds received in a bombing earlier this month.
The 38 year old lawyer posted a picture Friday of her injured left hand in front of a pillow marked ‘be amazing’ on her Facebook account. Her cat is perched on a chair.
In a written statement, Mitousis repeated some of the sentiments released last week by police officers who met with her in hospital: she is determined to recover, and isn’t bitter about what happened to her.
“The good news is that I am home now and will continue my recovery. I was very lucky in all respects. I will heal physically and emotionally. This terrible thing that has happened has not dampened my spirits. This event will shape my future and impact all of you on some level. But take comfort in that we can control how. Do not let thoughts of anger, fear or hate overcome you. I have not. In fact, from the moment I awoke after surgery I was filled with feelings of gratitude, love and support. I am so eager to get back to what I do, back to the small firm that I have grown to love, and to the legal community that has shown such solidarity and support not only to me but to my family and my family at Petersen King,” Mitousis wrote in her Facebook post.
Police say Mitousis lost her right hand and suffered injuries to her left hand, face, chest and thighs in the blast July 3rd at her law office on River Avenue.
Guido Amsel, 49, whose ex-wife was represented by Mitousis, has been charged with attempted murder and other offenses in connection with the explosion, and the discovery of two other letter bombs at other addresses. Police say the bombs consisted of explosives packed into small voice recorders and sent through the mail.
READ MORE: Letter carrier shocked to discover he delivered bomb to Winnipeg business
In her Facebook post, Mitousis doesn’t mention the suspect, the details of the bombing, or her injuries. Her message is full of praise for friends and family who have supported her since the attack.
“I have always believed in the inherent goodness of people. That belief has not been shaken in the least, in fact, it has been strengthened by these events. If I have shown any bravery or strength throughout this ordeal it is a direct result of the bravery and strength displayed to me by others: Connie Petersen who was there by my side from the first moment, the women of Petersen King who stood by us and assured that help was on the way, the first responders who made us all feel safe, and by (partner) Barry and my mother who never left my bedside and provided me comfort when I needed it,” Mitousis wrote.
“It is in times of crisis and during horrific events that people come together. I’m so proud of how we’ve all come together.”
Full text of Mitousis Facebook statement:
Dear friends,
It’s hard to believe that it is two weeks to the day that my place of work was targeted and I was injured. Many dear to me have suffered: my colleagues, my family, my friends, my clients. I have suffered too. But I know, from what I’ve seen over these two weeks, that the acts of violence we experienced need not carry on with us as we recover from what happened.
The good news is that I am home now and will continue my recovery. I was very lucky in all respects. I will heal physically and emotionally. This terrible thing that has happened has not dampened my spirits. This event will shape my future and impact all of you on some level. But take comfort in that we can control how. Do not let thoughts of anger, fear or hate overcome you. I have not. In fact, from the moment I awoke after surgery I was filled with feelings of gratitude, love and support. I am so eager to get back to what I do, back to the small firm that I have grown to love, and to the legal community that has shown such solidarity and support not only to me but to my family and my family at Petersen King.
I have always believed in the inherent goodness of people. That belief has not been shaken in the least, in fact, it has been strengthened by these events. If I have shown any bravery or strength throughout this ordeal it is a direct result of the bravery and strength displayed to me by others: Connie Petersen who was there by my side from the first moment, the women of Petersen King who stood by us and assured that help was on the way, the first responders who made us all feel safe, and by Barry and my mother who never left my bedside and provided me comfort when I needed it.
The support and love that I’ve received from family, friends and strangers alike have been breathtaking and beyond my expectations. I know that my recovery has been aided significantly by the prayers, cards, well-wishes, flowers and love that so many of you have sent my way.
Thank you especially to those who have supported my family – my partner Barry, my mother Dorothea, my brother Tony, and my grandmother – during what has been an unimaginably stressful time for them. Samantha and Adam, Ryan, Alexandra and Gregory, not only were you there to take care of your Dad when he needed you, the kindness you showed my mother and brother will stay with us forever.
Thank you to Connie and my colleagues at Petersen King for being there for me – I was not alone, not even for a moment. And now as I recover at home, thank you for still making me feel like a part of the firm and for taking care of things relating to my practice.
My sincere thanks also to Kelli Potter and Laurelle Harris for their selfless desire to do something to help, which turned out to be something quite extraordinary. To all of you – those I know and those I do not (yet!) – who have sent me their wishes for recovery and support through the “gofundme”campaign – I can’t thank you enough or express how humbled I feel by the generosity and kindness you have shown.
It is in times of crisis and during horrific events that people come together. I’m so proud of how we’ve all come together.
I look forward also to sharing with you through social media how I am recovering. I want to share photographs of the beautiful gestures and gifts that I received. This will help me get back to all of you and to stay connected with all my dear friends and well-wishers. The photo attached to this message shows the pillow that my friend Michelle brought me to the hospital the day after the explosion. The message is clear: We all have the opportunity to be amazing to each other so let’s keep doing that. My cat Figaro has not left my side since I’ve been home – I think he is guarding me. smile emoticon I am truly surrounded by love.
Over the next weeks and months I’m going to work hard at getting better. As part of my recovery, I intend to connect with each of you who have sent messages of support and love – as that love has impacted me so profoundly and promoted my ongoing healing.
If nothing else, this experience has reinforced my practice of gratitude – and I just have so much to be grateful for.
With a heart full of love, your friend,
Maria Mitousis
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