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Las Vegas shooting survivor to meet Kenny Chesney in Phoenix

Posted at 6:53 PM, Jun 23, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-24 18:46:29-04

She still struggles, but each day is a step forward.

It has been a long nine months for Jovanna Calzadillas, but she's already survived the worst.

Jovanna and her husband Frank, a Salt River police officer, were at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas on October 1 when gunfire erupted.   

The shooting left 58 people dead, and 851 people hurt.

Jovanna was shot in the head. Her injury was so severe; doctors didn't think she'd survive.  

Her family refused to take her off life support, and nearly two months later, Jovanna mysteriously came out of a coma.

She's worked through hours of therapy each day to regain her speech and coordination. 

RELATED: Arizona woman shot in Las Vegas attack to leave hospital

Because her home needed to be modified for a wheelchair, Jovanna raffled off the tickets she'd purchased to see her favorite artist, Kenny Chesney.

ABC15 learned about the raffle and reached out to our friends at KNIX Country radio. They were able to provide tickets and backstage passes for Jovanna to go to Chesney's concert this weekend.

"People have come together for me, just a blessing," Jovanna said.  

The quiet couple from San Tan Valley is still a little overwhelmed by the strength and support Jovanna has received from all over the country.

"We kind of think, how can we inspire people? Maybe they're just trying to be nice," Frank said. "I really think it does help people, and it's good for us because it makes us stronger."