ATLANTA — Eleven years after she saved her sister from an oncoming truck, a senior at Berry College will soon walk across the stage in her cap and gown.
It’s a milestone she wasn’t always sure she’d reach.
At 10 years old, Rucker pushed her then 5-year-old sister out of the way of an oncoming truck, and got hit herself. She was given a small chance to survive, but she did — and even thrived. Dubbed a hero sister, she was featured on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover,” and given a full scholarship to Berry College. Channel 2 was there when she moved into her dormitory in freshman year.
Channel 2′s Lori Wilson caught up with Rucker ahead of her graduation.
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Rucker, 21, is like most college seniors. After her final exams, she wants to take a year or two off just to take a break and create more life experiences.
Last week, she finished her senior final exams.
“Relief and overwhelmed, kind of at the same time,” Rucker said, describing her feelings.
Rucker has put in the hard work, and will graduate with a degree in psychology. Yet, even after 11 years, the traumatic event that took her leg and could have cost her life, is never far from her mind.
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“There will be days where it will just randomly pop up in my head ... and I will just sit here and reminisce on the times it happened,” Rucker said.
As Rucker gets ready to graduate, her little sister — Camry, whom she saved 11 years ago — is about to graduate from high school. The sisters are best friends and comrades in completing milestones.
As you hear Rucker speak, you know that overcoming her own trauma has given her a unique ability to help others.
‘Don’t give up. ... There will be times when you’ll want to give up because you’re either physically tired ... or ... emotionally tired because you’ve got so much on your shoulders. But you can’t let that stop you,” Rucker said.
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