![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/i-was-paralysed-aged-5-in-a-gangland-shootout/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/crop-24224618.jpg&description=Exclusive 'SO PROUD' Published : 21:09, 1 Oct 2023 BECOMING a top dancer or doctor has long been a dream for Thusha Kamaleswaran. But in 2011, at the age of five, she was left with devastating spinal injuries after being caught in the crossfire of a gangland shoot-out while playing in the aisle of her uncle's grocery shop. 8 Thusha Kamaleswaran was paralysed due to devastating spinal injuries she suffered at age 5 Credit: Damien McFadden 8 Thusha was caught in the crossfire of a gangland shoot-out while playing in the aisle of her uncle's grocery shop Credit: PA:Press Association 8 Chilling CCTV footage shows the moment Thusha was hit by a stray bullet while playing in the shop Credit: PA:Press Association It ended any dancing ambitions. But today, Thusha, 18 , reveals her dream of becoming a doctor is very much alive after she won a place at Cambridge University to study medicine. Thusha, who last month achieved three A* grades in her A-levels, also tells how she will specialise in spinal injuries. She said: 'I might not be able to dance but I'm one step closer to being a doctor like the ones who saved and helped me. 'I've never been happier. "Hopefully I am proof that you can succeed after disaster strikes. I'm so proud of myself.' In an exclusive interview, she also reveals how she wants to meet the three men who left her wheelchair-bound following the 2011 attack. All of them were jailed for life in 2012. Thusha said: 'I want to look them in the eyes. "I want to find out what they have learned from their time in prison and if they understand the consequences of what they did. 'In some ways I forgive them but in others I really don't. T "hey robbed me of parts of my childhood. 'I want them to see me, see what I have achieved. "I want to tell them I'm studying medicine at Cambridge University. "I want them to see I'm making a success of my life and find out what they are doing.' Thusha's ordeal shocked the nation in March 2011. 'I know how precious what we have is){kind=link}
BECOMING a top dancer or doctor has long been a dream for Thusha Kamaleswaran.
But in 2011, at the age of five, she was left with devastating spinal injuries after being caught in the crossfire of a gangland shoot-out while playing in the aisle of her uncle’s grocery shop.
It ended any dancing ambitions.
But today, Thusha, 18, reveals her dream of becoming a doctor is very much alive after she won a place at Cambridge University to study medicine.
Thusha, who last month achieved three A* grades in her A-levels, also tells how she will specialise in spinal injuries.