Atlanta Man Triumphs Over Harrowing Machete Attack, Resumes Life with Courage
ATLANTA — In an extraordinary tale of resilience and courage, Chris Sullens has finally returned home after enduring nearly three months in Atlanta hospitals following a brutal machete attack at his workplace. Sullens’ journey, marked by indomitable spirit and unwavering determination, has been a roller coaster of emotions since the horrific incident in June.
Sullens was attacked on June 20 at the Advantage Homeless Day Center on North Ave, where he worked. The assailant, a client named Cedric Smith, reportedly struck Sullens in the head multiple times with a machete. The attack led to life-threatening injuries, with Sullens placed on life support as doctors worked tirelessly to save him, eventually having to remove one of his eyes.
“The only thing that I really dread out of all of this is having to go to court,” Sullens shared, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and apprehension. Returning home is a significant milestone in his recovery journey, one step closer to reclaiming his life. “I wouldn’t want anybody to go through this,” he added, reflecting on the traumatic experience.
Initially treated at Grady Memorial Hospital, Sullens later moved to the Shepherd Center in Buckhead, renowned for its specialization in traumatic brain injuries. Despite the grueling recovery process, Sullens remains upbeat. “It’s tiring. It’s just been go, go, go, go, go,” he said, laughing despite the ordeal.
In a courageous act of reclaiming control over his narrative, Sullens revisited the scene of the attack. “I made up my mind that I was just going to get it over with and not let it control me,” he explained. This brave decision signifies not only a physical return but an emotional triumph as well.
Sullens was also able to provide his official statement to the investigators, an empowering step towards justice. Along with his statement, he was reunited with his two small dogs, who were cared for by a local pet boarding business, Mutty Paws, at no cost. “They went right into the old routine,” Sullens said, highlighting how the familiarity of their presence greatly contributed to his sense of normalcy.
The community’s support hasn’t stopped there. Strangers have rallied to raise thousands of dollars to help ease his financial burden. However, the future remains uncertain for Sullens as he contemplates his return to work. He’s open to the possibility of volunteering and counseling others who are living with traumatic brain injuries, aiming to drive himself again in the coming year. For now, Sullens is focusing on living in the moment. “I’m planning on taking some trips, having a little fun, and taking care of me right now,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cedric Smith faces serious charges, including two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a knife during the commission of a felony. Disturbingly, records show Smith was on probation at the time of the attack, with a history of violent offenses, including prison time for cutting a man with a razor blade and threatening a woman with a knife in 2013. A date for the Grand Jury hearing has yet to be announced.
As this story of courage and recovery unfolds, Chris Sullens’ journey stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome even the most harrowing challenges.
