Christy Carlson Romano Shares Her Experience and Recovery After Shooting Accident

Christy Carlson Romano is working to protect her vision after a clay pigeon shooting accident in 2025. The incident left birdshot near her eye, threatening blindness. Romano revealed, “I was hit with birdshot from 250 feet away. It struck a fat pocket under my eye and my forehead.” The birdshot remains close to critical areas. “If it moves, I could go blind. We hope that doesn’t happen,” she shared.

Romano explores childhood fame and toxic relationships in her memoir, “Once Upon a Trainwreck.” She also recounts the accident in Texas. “At one point, I felt like I might die,” said the “Even Stevens” and “Kim Possible” star. She added, “With children, your perspective changes after such an accident.”

Her husband, Brendan Rooney, a former Marine, was celebrating his birthday when they decided to go clay pigeon shooting. Romano explained, “In Texas, it’s normal to do such activities. I thought he’d enjoy it. Unfortunately, someone in our group wasn’t careful and shot too close to me.” Clay pigeon shooting involves launching clay targets for shooters to hit with shotguns.

Romano collapsed during the outing, thinking, “Am I dead? Oh God — my girls.” Her vision blurred as “dark liquid” spread across her contact lenses. Helped by Rooney and a remorseful shooter, Romano thought, “It’s been a good run, right?,” looking at her husband. Despite the beautiful Texas sky, she mused, “It’s a beautiful day to die.” She has two daughters with Rooney.

Rushed to the hospital, Romano recalled speeding at 112 mph. Her oculoplastic surgeon noted the birdshot narrowly missed critical eye parts by about a millimeter. She suffered a subconjunctival hemorrhage but not direct eye penetration.

Romano considers her recovery “miraculous.” Doctors chose to leave the birdshot fragments due to removal risks. She expressed gratitude to the medical team at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center.

Reflecting on her experience, Romano stated, “Life is short. You must focus on what you truly want.” Her chaotic past lifestyle prompted her to write letters to her daughters in her book.

Her life-threatening experience and later health scares, including a cancer screening, pushed her to write her memoir at 40. Romano and her husband had screenings due to her family’s cancer history. Her negative result and her father’s past death from cancer influenced her.

Romano now feels a renewed purpose, commenting, “My focus is on personal growth. Faith has become important, and I hope my book helps others.” She aims to make readers feel less alone through her vulnerability.