BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Six months ago, Kelly Gandt’s life was changed forever.
On March 2, a man followed her home from a bar in Buffalo, attacked her in her driveway in Cheektowaga and dragged her into his vehicle. She then grabbed the steering wheel, caused the car to crash and ran away to safety.
On Wednesday , 24-year-old Abel Gebrehawaria was sentenced to five years in prison for kidnapping.
Gandt said she still has nightmares about what happened and has spent a lot of time struggling with PTSD, feeling like she has to look over her shoulder whenever she goes out, but she’s done living in fear.
“I think it’s really important to fully own my story authentically and to be able to have a voice if I’m encouraging other women to have a voice and come forward with their stories,” she said.
Gandt is channeling that toughness to empower other women. She’s teaming up with Hype Fitness Studio and SPAR Self Defense to offer a self-defense class to make sure women have the skills and confidence to protect themselves.