Vicki Gardner says family, community helped her recovery following tragedy

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SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE (WSLS 10) - Vicki Gardner, the lone survivor of the shooting that killed Alison Parker and Adam Ward, opens up about her recovery and community's support.

"From the moment that it happened," says Gardner, "It came in front of me, because I saw I was the only one that was alive and it was very helpless."

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The days following the shooting Gardner was in the hospital with her husband, two daughters, and dog Buddy by her side.

She says they helped with the healing process both emotionally and physically.

"When I woke up I had two towers of tubes all over and each day we would get through something slowly and surely removing those," says Gardner. "Everyday was a physical challenged."

In addition to healing, she believes part of the reason she's alive today is to make the lake an even better place and wants to build a community center.

'This has really put a fire under me to make a big different and complete that mission," says Gardner. "I hope I'm here for a long long time so I can sit back and enjoy the accomplishments."

Gardner says with all the hundreds of cards and letters she's received, her daughter is planning on making a collage.