Three years ago today, 22 people went to an Ariana Grande Concert at Manchester Arena - and never went home. That night, as the concert ended, a suicide bomber attack killed them and injured 139 people - more than half of them children. Amelia Mae-Thompson, 14, was there that night, and told Grazia her story.
Me and Mum had tickets to the Ariana Grande concert on 22 May in Manchester. We’d been though a lot that year – we lost my uncle and my dad had two heart attacks – so we needed a night out. I danced and sang all through the gig; the atmosphere was amazing.
As the lights came up, big pink balloons fell from the ceiling. That’s when we heard the blast. The ground shook, like a huge earthquake, then there was a surge of noise and screaming. People started running in all directions. There was smoke everywhere. Mum grabbed me and just said, ‘Run.’
I had no idea what was happening, I just knew we had to keep moving. But panic overwhelmed me and my legs went. I sat on the floor screaming. It triggered my asthma; I found it hard to breathe and my lips turned blue. Then the Bomb Squad arrived and carried me to the back of the arena. People were injured and covered in blood. That’s when I knew how serious it was.
Screaming damaged my vocal chords, so I’ve had speech therapy, as well as counselling for severe PTSD.
Outside, it was chaos. People were running, screaming, there were bloody clothes, girls in bandages, people saying ‘bomb’. Nan and Grandad took us straight to hospital but after a few hours I asked to be discharged.
We got home around 6.30am and I told Mum I wanted to go to school. I just wanted to pretend it had never happened. I couldn’t listen to the news or look on social media.
But in those first weeks, I was terrified of crowds and loud noises, so when we heard about the One Love Manchester benefit concert that Ariana Grande was organising on 4 June, I didn’t think I could go. But my brother got tickets, and when my friend Vanessa (a fellow survivor) said she was going, I knew I couldn’t let fear stop me.
On the way there I was scared, but I’m glad I went. We were front row and, while it was emotional, and I found some of the songs hard to listen to, it was a good way to pay our respects to the 22 who died.
The bombing changed my life forever. Screaming damaged my vocal chords, so I’ve had speech therapy, as well as counselling for severe PTSD. But I try to stay positive.
I’m a junior ambassador for Liv’s Trust, a charity in memory of victim Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15, which helps young people in Manchester through music and dance. I’m lucky to be alive, and try to start each day with a smile. Because if I let this ruin my life, then the terrorists have won. I won’t let them.
To donate to Liv’s Trust, visit livstrust.org.uk.
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