Christy Carlson Romano, known for her childhood roles in Disney classics such as *Even Stevens*, *Kim Possible*, and *Cadet Kelly*, recently shared a profoundly life-changing experience in her forthcoming memoir, *Once Upon a Trainwreck: The Fall and Rise of a Child Star*, set to be released on 6th October. The 42-year-old actress reflects on a harrowing near-death incident that occurred in 2025, when she was struck in the face by stray birdshot while participating in a clay-pigeon shooting event in Texas.
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In an interview with *PEOPLE*, Romano describes this traumatic incident as a moment of reckoning that transformed her perspective on life. “I think that I basically survived a medical miracle,” she stated, articulating the gravity of her situation. Romano revealed that the birdshot is perilously close to critical parts of her eye and remains lodged within her forehead. She continues to cope with the physical reminder of this incident, which has left her with small fragments that could not be safely removed.
Beyond this shocking experience, Romano also faced a cancer scare earlier this year, which further reinforced her views on resilience and personal growth. After undergoing an early-detection screening, she found herself confronting the realities of her health for the second time in recent years. “God keeps sending me things to kind of learn from and to test me,” she remarked, reflecting on how she is learning to turn challenging experiences into opportunities for personal development. She also emphasised the importance of monitoring her health with upcoming procedures like an endoscopy and colonoscopy, underscoring the necessity of vigilance in the wake of her recent health scares.
Romano’s memoir provides an introspective look into her life, including her struggles with substance abuse and an eating disorder that developed following her ascent to fame at a young age. She credits her husband, film producer Brendan Rooney, with helping her turn her life around after they met while she was re-enrolling in college. The couple has two daughters—Isabella, 9, and Sophia, 7—and Romano made the pivotal decision to give up drinking during her first pregnancy.
In her reflections, Romano acknowledges the challenges of parenting. She aims to impart valuable life lessons to her daughters. “I want them to know that life can get really, really hard,” she expressed, describing her book as a “love letter to her girls.” While she does not wish to burden them with trauma, she is keen on being a resource for them as they navigate their own journeys into adulthood.
The actress has undergone significant personal growth but emphasised that her journey is ongoing. “I have a strong worldview, but I don’t have all the answers,” she admitted. This admission speaks to her commitment to remaining open and evolving as both a person and a parent.
Romano’s story is one of surviving adversity and embracing the lessons life has to offer. She encourages others to look beyond their struggles to realise their self-worth and the importance of nurturing relationships with family and friends. Her upcoming memoir serves as both a candid account of her past and a guide for navigating life’s uncertainties with resilience.
*Once Upon a Trainwreck: The Fall and Rise of a Child Star* will be available in bookshops and online retailers nationwide from 6th October, promising to be a compelling read filled with humour, heart, and hard-won wisdom. As she prepares for this new chapter, Romano hopes her experiences can inspire others to find strength amidst their challenges.