Woman given ‘less than 2%’ chance of survival after being shot in the face shares important message about horrific trauma

Warning: This article discusses domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.

A woman who was given tiny odds on surviving after being shot in the face aged 18 has shared an important message after going through the life-changing ordeal.

Amedy Dewey loved playing soccer and enjoyed the competitive cheerleading scene in her teens, but what was going on at home was truly devastating.

She witnessed first-hand the domestic violence inflicted by her stepfather, who in 2018 took his gun and shot her in the face in the backseat of a car while driving down a Michigan highway.

He then shot and killed Amedy's mother, Lisa, before turning the gun on herself.

But Amedy managed to survive her horrific injuries, and in the seven years since, she's undergone a staggering 37 different surgeries after doctors told her she had 'less than 2 percent' chance of surviving.

Dewey was shot in the face by her stepfather (Amedy Dewey)

"I felt like I didn't have a purpose in this world. It was just surgery after surgery after surgery," Amedy told PEOPLE. "I just want people to see the signs of danger, domestic violence and abuse, and be able to realize, ’I'm not in a safe environment. My kids aren't safe. I need to get them out'."

She continued: "I keep reopening these wounds. I keep going for my family, for strangers. I don't want anybody to suffer what I went through."

After going through the terrible ordeal and being in and out of hospital, Amedy is speaking now to share an important message and hope.

She said: "Now I share what I went through to help others. I finally have the opportunity to have a voice and to tell people: This is what I saw from my stepfather for five years before the shooting; these are the signs.

"This is what I went through. I want you guys to know when somebody is unstable, especially if they have firearms. He threatened to shoot my dog when I was 15. I want people to see the signs."

Amedy Dewey was told she had very low odds of surviving (Northwell Lenox Hill)

The 25-year-old's most recent surgery came in November last year, and it was one of the most important yet as it allowed Amedy to properly eat for the first time since the attack.

Health experts created an upper jaw with bone grafted from her fibula, while she was also fitted with new teeth.

"It's another piece to put in the puzzle," Amedy added to PEOPLE

She continued: "I've had a lot of surgeries, but the most recent one made me so happy that I started dancing. I was at home with my dad and my mouth had healed enough to eat real food."

If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline on 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7. You can find a list of local resources here.