Shooting survivor uses art to help domestic violence victims
By Morgan Kirsch
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GRAND BLANC, Michigan (WJRT) — A Lapeer woman who survived being shot by her ex-partner in 2017 is using her art to help other domestic violence survivors.
Stephanie Stamper suffered brain trauma and other injuries that have continued to impact her life.
“I have a second chance at life and I want to do something good with it,” Stamper said.
She turned to art to help her cope with the trauma.
“I started about a year after I was hurt. It was my outlet,” Stamper said. “This kind of gives me purpose.”
Stamper set up shop at the Smetanka Spring Craft Show at Grand Blanc High School on Saturday.
Her business is called Little Dude Skeletons™. She makes skeletons of every size, shape and color by hand.
“Skeletons—everybody has one, so they can reach anybody, any ethnicity, any culture, anything in domestic violence. It touches everybody,” Stamper said.
She calls one of her collections her “battle-cry” collection. Purple represents people who have survived domestic violence and black represents those who have not survived.
A dollar from every craft purchase goes to LACADA, a Lapeer domestic violence shelter and resource center.
Stamper said she had attended free support group meetings the shelter offered on Wednesday evenings. She said having access to something like that during such a difficult time meant a lot to her.
Some of Stamper’s children have also gotten involved, helping her make the crafts and donate to survivors.
“I think it’s awesome what she does—giving back to the community and helping with LACADA. I also help with LACADA, which also makes me happy. So, we work together. It’s kind of like a mom and son duo,” Stamper’s son, Chase, said.
Stamper said many people helped her and her four children after the shooting. She wanted to find a way to give back.
“I didn’t have a way to go back and pay them back, so I figured I could pay it forward,” Stamper said.
Stamper will be setting up to sell her crafts at the Hot Rod and Bike Fest at the Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds in Imlay City, June 20 and 21.
LACADA’s free and confidential help line can be reached at (810) 667-4175.
The YWCA of Greater Flint also provides comprehensive services and crisis interventions for those experiencing domestic violence. The YWCA’s help line can be reached 24/7 at 810-238-7233.
The state of Michigan’s Help & Human Services webpage also lists various state resources for sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking survivors.
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