TROY, NY - On Friday Troy resident Shontal Gaymon was greeted with a hero's homecoming.
Troy Mayor Lou Rosamilia handed Gaymon flowers and said, "On behalf of all the residents of the city of Troy we thank you for your heroism, thank you for coming home to us."
Gaymon was showered with appreciation as she was welcomed home from the hospital by friends, family and community leaders.
Gaymon says, "I didn't know it was going to be like that I was very happy."
She spent the last three weeks recovering from second and third degree burns on her face, arms and upper body.
"I'm still healing. I'm still healing but I'm here."
Gaymon suffered the injuries in heroic fashion, by going into her neighbor's burning apartment in order to save one-year-old Nikia Frasier.
"Hot, smoke, flames, fire, the fire was very big."
Nikia was alone, sleeping at the time.
"I actually thought she was dead because she wasn't crying or anything until I actually picked her up."
Gaymon says her actions were purely based on impulse.
"I came out and that's when I realized I was burnt and all my skin started falling off."
Gaymon says all the pain was worth one kiss with little Nikia.
"It was nice seeing somebody I saved, alive, healthy and well, I'm happy, very happy."
There are still months of recovery left for Gaymon, but her spirits are high.
"I had to cut my hair off because the back of my head got burnt but now me and my son look like twins."
She will also have to get used to a word that will now be attached to her forever...hero.
"I'm a good person at heart so I'll take it I'll take the hero."
The Troy Fire and Police unions also donated the funds to pay for Gaymon's next six months' rent, considering how much work she will be missing.
A donation fund has been set up for Gaymon. Donations may be dropped off at any Trustco Bank branch. The funds will be utilized only for unreimbursed medical expenses, transportation for follow up treatment and specific expenses related to her treatment and recovery.
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