Terrorist Attack Girl

How I Survived Terrorism and Reconstructed My Shattered Mind

By: Meyli Chapin

Narrated by: Meyli Chapin

This is the true story of how terrorism shattered my mind and what I did to survive.

In January of 2019, I was trapped in a hotel room in the DusitD2 in Nairobi for 17 long hours while Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked the property. I was completely alone and certain I was going to die. However, thanks to the incomprehensibly brave men who fought to get us out, led by now-retired SAS operator Christian Craighead, hundreds of us were extracted to safety. After the attack, though, PTSD made me so miserable that I started to wish I had died after all. Aside from the terrorist attack itself, PTSD is the hardest thing I have ever dealt with in my life.

This book is the in-depth retelling of the attack, combined with my personal journal entries about PTSD afterward. It's a true story about trauma. About how dark and ugly it can be. Because the unfortunate truth is the vast majority of us will experience a traumatic event in our lives. But when I was lying on the floor sobbing, unable to leave my apartment but also unable to sleep, wishing that I had died in that terrorist attack, I didn’t know that. I thought that I was uniquely traumatized and uniquely weak. I could think of so many stories of incredible, resilient, practically superhuman people who had overcome all manner of horrible things. Why couldn’t I?

So many of us know those stories about extraordinary resilience. Or at least we think we do. But what we usually know is actually just a tiny fraction of the story, a beginning and an end: This person went through something terrible, and now they are amazing. This book is the middle. It’s the nightmares and the flashbacks and the million times I wanted to quit trying, at therapy, at relationships, at life. It’s the dark, ugly truth that we usually try to keep locked away because it’s so painful and embarrassing to drag it into the light. But I wanted to pay tribute to all the other people who are struggling or who ever have struggled. And the only way to do that is to tell the whole truth, middle included, and offer that little bit of empathy, and the flicker of hope. The tunnel may be incredibly long, it may feel bleak and grueling and insurmountable, but at the end of it, there is light.

Please note: Because much of this book is personal journal entries, there is some crude language.

©2022 Meyli Chapin (P)2022 Meyli Chapin

Raw and brave

Terrorist Attack Girl is the true story of a US citizen's survival from a 2019 terrorist attack in Kenya. It is not a story about the soldiers who led the rescue mission. Rather, this is an emotional journey of survival, that weaves two stories together- Chapin’s flashbacks of 17 hours hiding in her hotel room when terrorists seized the DusitD2, and her personal journal entries from when she struggled with PTSD and worked to piece her life back together.

There is no sugar coating in this book, but that is what makes it great. Incredibly well written, Chapin pulls her readers in, as she depicts the raw and dirty details of survival.

If you have gone through a difficult time or are battling PTSD, this story may help you feel less alone. You may realize that although the process toward healing is both painful and challenging, your trauma does not have to define you. If you have not experienced trauma, this book may teach you empathy and help you better understand those who are struggling.

In any case, I highly recommend this book and encourage readers to experience Meyli's memoir. Thank you, Meyli Chapin, for sharing your story!

A moving, compelling first-hand look into PTSD

This first-hand account of how the author survived a terrorist attack and the ensuing struggles with PTSD is a must-listen. She narrates it herself, which adds a lot — she got through this, she wrote the book, she is now telling the story out loud. It's heartbreaking and uplifting in equal parts, and does a phenomenal job of focusing on the parts of PTSD that often get glossed over after someone has recovered. She doesn't shy away from the hard things, and in doing so, she creates an honest, inspiring look into the mind of someone working to piece themselves back together after a harrowing event.

insights into terrorism experience and aftermath

Wow, I stayed up way too late listening to Meyli voice her story of surviving a terrorist attack and share her insights about her journey to overcome the resulting PTSD which threatened her in the aftermath. Beautiful and insightful writing over a background of terrible events. I highly recommend this book!

Amazing

I'm pretty sure somewhere near the end I heard a bald eagle scream. Just saying....

Amazing journey

What incredible people will do to help and save others. Thank you Chris.
Thank you for sharing your amazing story which will certainly help others.
Wow!

One of the strongest people on earth.

Meyli’s words and voice will hit me to my core. As a Veteran with the typical baggage, it was amazing to hear Meyli put what have felt, into words that make sense. It was moving.

A serious experience

Terrifying experience. Amazing recount of her situation. Beautifully written and recorded. Easy to listen to and gripping. Loved it.

We were spellbound listening to Meyli tell her story!

WOW! We listened to Meyli tell her story as we drove to Florida. We were spellbound! (We even rewound it when the annoying GPS talked over her! lol) Meyli did an incredible job telling us of her terrifying experience trapped in a hotel while terrorist attacked. We experienced so many emotions while listening to her. Her story is so real and raw. It helped us understand PTSD in a different way. Meyli is using her experience to help others. Awesome book and an amazing young lady. A must read or listen!

Meyli Chapin- Terrorist Attack Girl

I had just listened to Meyli on the Jack Carr podcast recently and immediately went out and downloaded her book. I am so glad I did. The book was amazing. What she is doing today for other PTSD victims is admirable. I highly recommend the book. It is an emotional story but so worth listening to. I am also so glad that Meyli survived that terrible day in Kenya and is doing the work she is now.

Brilliant, unforgettable journey,

Brilliant, unforgettable journey outward and inward. Deeply touches ones soul, heart and mind. Should be required reading for every high school and college student. A courageous self examination of herself and beliefs in World where everyday, one may, and certainly someone you may never know will, no longer have the luxury of seeing it as only they choose.