«I think we’ve learned that a family is such a beautiful, delicate thing. It needs to be treated that way.»
Mariellen had just gotten off work, and her coworkers were doing their best to convince her to grab a drink with them at a local bar. It was cold, it was getting late, she was tired from a long day of work, but she agreed to go.
After entering the small college bar, she immediately noticed the tall, handsome guy in the back, Ron. Ron was with a few of his buddies, debriefing after a long workweek. He was newly out of college and doing his best to navigate the adult world.
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Mariellen explained that although this bar was packed with people in their early 20s like herself, she just couldn’t keep her eyes off Ron.
As Ron and Mariellen spent more time with each other, they realized that they were truly a perfect match. They had similar morals, goals and personalities. In a world full of chaos, they were able to find ease in one another. They didn’t date long before Ron decided to take their relationship to the next level.
The couple married shortly after. They were blessed with two beautiful children, and their family truly felt complete. Ron explained that family was always something that was very important to him and his wife.
In 2015, the beautiful life this family created was shattered.
The next morning, Clark woke up and was still not feeling well.
When Mariellen and Ron were told that their son had fractured his skull and that his brain was bleeding, they were in complete shock. The doctors had to take immediate action in order to try to save Clark’s life, and even with that, there was no sure answer as to whether he would live. Mariellen, Ron and Kelsey waited anxiously for Clark to come out of surgery. Ron explained that not knowing if Clark was going to survive was the most heart wrenching-feeling he could have ever imagined.
Clark survived his surgery, but was put in a coma for four months. When he woke up from his coma, he had to relearn everything. He couldn’t talk, eat, use the bathroom or walk; he was virtually a 150-pound infant.
In the months that followed, the family could only hope and pray that one day, they would get their fourth member back. Their days were spent in tremendous emotional pain, as the family that seemed so strong was coming apart.
As the family pushed to find their new normal, Clark was also diligently working to regain the life he once had. His progress gave the family hope. He never complained about having to go to therapy or doctor appointments. Clark was a light to his family and everyone he came in contact with.
As time went by, the Clark everyone knew and loved began to resurface. He started talking, eating on his own, using the restroom and walking. After hundreds of hours in therapy and countless prayers, the family was starting to recreate their cracked foundation.
Throughout his son’s near-death experience, Ron learned what mattes most in this world: his family.
The family created the awareness page railagainstthedanger.org. Through this organization, Mairellen and Clark want other students and parents to be aware of the dangers that are associated with lofted bunk beds without safety rails. Clark wasn’t planning on falling from his lofted bed, but it happened. If it can happen to Clark, it can happen to anyone. No family should ever have to go through what the Jacobs have endured.
Help support this cause by visiting the family’s Change.org page.
