Fort Myers girl perseveres in the face of devastating obstacles

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

At 17 years old, Tori Fulcher is like most juniors at Fort Myers High. Deciding what the future brings is a lesson in itself.

"I'm not like a kid anymore, really, so it's a little nerve-wracking," said Tori. "Next year I'll be a senior. It's like I have to get my life together. Well, I don't have to get my life together, but I have to start figuring out what I want to do now."

But like her mom, Schwanda Smith, Tori has faced one obstacle after another.

"It's like everything is piled up," said Tori.

While striving to earn straight A's, Tori found herself having to help her mom stay alive.

"She never left my side," said Schwanda. "I was sick, going through chemo every day, and she was there."

Two years ago, Schwanda had breast cancer. Her chance of survival was slim.

"I don't want to leave my kids. I can't leave my kids," said Schwanda.

While Schwanda is in remission and has healed, the family still lives with a never-ending pain.

"My father passed away when I was 9 years old, so it's like, coming from that, seeing my mom work so hard to become the person she's become, working her long days and long hours that pushed me to do what I want to do in life," said Tori.

"Losing both parents could have been awful, but I'm here for them," said Schwanda.

At 41 years old, the father of this family, Torre Fulcher, was killed in a drive-by shooting. It's a case that's still unsolved.

"Their dad, they were the light of his world. There was nothing in the world he wouldn't do for those two," said Schwanda.

Instead of letting suffering crush her, Tori's used it to push her towards a brighter future.

"I have goals," said Tori. "If I want to reach those goals, I have to put in the work to get there."

She's even earned a full-ride scholarship to FSW from the nonprofit "Take Stock in Children."

"She's very energetic, she's very articulate, and she always does a great job," said Tori's mentor from Take Stock in Children, Yohan Arane.

"It just makes me feel good about myself," said Tori.

Tori proves that no matter what hurdles life throws our way, we can use them as fuel for a greater purpose.

"Just put in the work, just do it," said Tori. "Even if you feel like you can't, just get it done."

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