Standing in Solidarity with Ashley Wasielewski
The heart of Savannah, Georgia, is breaking today as we stand in a collective, “shattering grief” for Ashley Wasielewski. A woman known for her “fearless spirit” and radical kindness, Ashley’s life was forever altered last Wednesday night by an act of “unfathomable cruelty.” While walking laps in the beautiful Forsyth Park, a place that should have been a sanctuary of peace, Ashley was targeted in a vicious acid attack that has left her family and our entire city in a state of stunned disbelief. To see such a “vibrant light” subjected to such a “monstrous and random” act of violence is a piercing heartbreak that reminds us of the darkness that can exist in the world, and the urgent need for the light of community.
A Night of Horror in Forsyth Park: The Long Fight for a Genuinely Good Soul
The details of that Wednesday evening are a harrowing reminder of how quickly safety can turn into a nightmare. Ashley was simply finishing a walk after a church Christmas program when a shadow approached from behind and poured a corrosive chemical over her. The “sudden and violent” impact of the acid was so severe that it melted her clothing and her keys, leaving her with third-degree burns over half of her body. From her hospital bed in Augusta, Ashley’s strength remains a “source of inspiration,” yet the shattering reality of her injuries means she may never grow hair on her scalp again and faces months of painful skin grafts. There is an “immeasurable sorrow” in knowing that a woman who spent her time packing grocery bags for the homeless was targeted for such a “shattering departure” from her normal life.
A Community Response of Love: Surrounding Ashley with Unwavering Support
In the face of this unimaginable heartbreak, Savannah has proven that it will not let tragedy define Ashley’s future. An outpouring of “radical generosity” has seen a GoFundMe for her medical care surpass $170,000, a testament to the fact that Ashley is “truly loved beyond measure.” Her son, Westley, and her close friends describe her as a “proud Christian woman” who will win this fight. As we navigate this “dark valley” with her, we must also support the FBI and Savannah Police in their tireless search for the perpetrator. We wrap our arms around Ashley’s children and family, offering our prayers as a shield. Ashley’s spirit is not broken; it is merely being tested by fire, and the “vibrant light” of her soul will continue to shine far brighter than the darkness of this shattering sorrow.
A Prayer for Recovery: Wishing Peace and Healing for Our Ashley
We extend our deepest and most sincere sympathies to Ashley Wasielewski and her family as they begin this long and arduous journey. There are no words to ease the “piercing wound” of such a traumatic assault, but we pray that the love of Georgia provides a small flicker of warmth in this dark season. May Ashley find the “supernatural strength” to breathe through the pain, and may she find tranquility in the knowledge that she is not fighting alone. We stand with you, Ashley—today, tomorrow, and every day until you are home. Rest your weary heart in our love, for you are a survivor, a hero, and a “genuinely beautiful” part of our city.