In what CBS 42 is calling “a walk to remember,” an Alabama woman who was paralyzed 11 years ago held a different kind of surprise birthday party.

Birmingham’s LaShundra Glenn Smith recently shocked guests at her own birthday celebration by walking in, with the help of leg braces and a walker. She has been using a wheelchair, without feeling in her legs, since being shot two times by her then-husband. Smith was shot one time in the back and one time in the thigh.

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The mother of four kids still gets emotional when thinking about the betrayal that led to her paralyzation.

“The person that said they loved me then shot me, and I never a thought that this would ever happen to me, you know, I didn’t know the signs because I’d never been in a domestic violent relationship or around it,” Smith said.

Smith, who now speaks to young people about her experiences to save others from domestic violence, managed to bring the group of friends and families to tears of joy at her 43rd birthday celebration.

“You know I just wanted to surprise them,” she shared. “I didn’t want to tell nobody. They were surprised, especially my kids they had no earthly idea. … To take steps in there and to see their faces was just priceless because it hasn’t been just me going through this – my kids, my support system, I have a great support system.”

Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn