Hill shares survival story on talk show

By Marilyn Tennissen

PORT ARTHUR — In the past eight years, Michael Hill of Port Arthur has been on numerous talk shows to tell his story of surviving a brutal knife attack. The event so changed Hill’s life that he took the opportunity again on Saturday to share it with millions of viewers for an upcoming segment of the Reuben Armstrong Show, which airs locally on Sundays on Fox 64.

On April 25, 1998, Hill was at his sister’s home in Jacksonville, Fla., when he answered a knock at the door. When the door opened, a stranger attacked Hill, plunging an 8-inch serrated hunting knife into his skull.

Though still suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and some paralysis on his left side, Hill amazed doctors by surviving the attack and says that the event changed his life forever.

“I believe Satan himself placed that guy in the position to kill me. Through this I have grown spiritually,” Hill said. “I can see the goodness of God. God had mercy on me.”

Hill said he believes that a higher power orchestrated the event so that through the story the younger generation can see that God is a reality.

“I had no connection to God before. I have the faith now,” Hill said.

Armstrong, whose program is based in Alexandria, La., said Hill’s experience is exactly the kind of story he wants to share with his viewers.

“On my show we talk about real life, and Michael has a story that needs to be heard. It’s truly a miracle survival story. When you start to say ‘I can’t’ then you see his story and what he has done,” Armstrong said.

For Hill, the experience has taught him compassion.

“Before, when I was a working man, I would see a homeless person and belittle them. Now I’ve learned that we can’t put people down. I do my best to be joyful and have no self pity,” Hill said.

He also urged everyone that has been subjected to a violent crime to contact their local victim’s assistance program for help.

The Jefferson County Victim's Assistance Center can be reached at 983-3377. Through the state attorney general, crime victims may be eligible for financial assistance for medical expenses, psychiatric care, lost wages and other expenses.

Hill’s story will be broadcast on the Reuben Armstrong Show at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 3 on Fox 64.

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