Homeless shelter employee starting to speak again after being attacked with machete

ATHENS, Ga. — An Athens man who survived a machete attack spoke for the first time publicly Friday from his hospital room at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Chris Sullens, 53, is regaining his ability to speak.

When asked how he was feeling Sullens said, “Much, much better.”

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Sullens has worked in the homeless community for more than a decade. He was at Advantage Homeless Day Center where he works to help people get jobs and housing when police said Cedric Smith began hitting him in the head with the weapon in the parking lot on June 20.

Police arrested Smith in minutes. Criminal records show he was out on probation when the attack happened. He was serving prison time for cutting a man in the neck with a razor blade. In 2013, he threatened a woman with a knife on an Athens sidewalk, according to court records.

Channel 2′s Courtney Francisco has followed Sullens’ story since it first happened.

Sullens shook his head in agreement Friday when his sister said, “He wants to make sure this does not shed a negative light on the homeless community. He really does love those people.”

The machete attack left Sullens on a ventilator with a broken skull and cuts across his head and face. Doctors had to remove one of his eyes. He crossed his fingers when he said he hopes to get the vision back in the other eye.

“I hope. I hope. I don’t know,” said Sullens.

Friday was a good day, Sullens said. He stood for the first time during physical therapy.

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“It’s a miracle just to see,” said James Cornett.

Cornett was by his side in the hospital.

The survival story has inspired donors to raise more than $25,000 for Sullens’ recovery.

“In this world, where there’s all this division, there has been so much love,” said his sister.

Sullens put his hands up in thanks and said he is in disbelief.

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