- B
We got the phone call that every parent dreads at 2am, August 21st. Our oldest son had been in an accident and his condition was critical.
McClendon had been working in Los Angeles and was walking back to his hotel after dinner that Sunday night. He was more than halfway through the crosswalk when a driver ran a red light, going 45-50 mph and hit him. It was 10pm in California. Witnesses to the accident heard what they thought was a gunshot, just before they saw McClendon's body fly through the air - 70 ft. from the point of impact.
A family driving in the opposite direction saw the accident and quickly went into action to protect McClendon. The son, Stephen, swerved their car into position to protect McClendon from oncoming traffic. He then got McClendon's phone, before it had a chance to go into lock mode, and retrieved the last phone number called. His mother, Donna, who was by this time holding our son's head, urging him to breathe, told Stephen to look up "Mom" and "Dad" in order to contact us. Other drivers got out of their cars to help direct traffic and shield McClendon, while someone else grabbed a towel for Donna to put under his head. Their quick action undoubtedly saved his life and Stephen's timely phone calls ensured that someone was able to be with McClendon at the hospital from the time he was in the ER. We will forever be in their debt.
McClendon was working on a project in LA with his longtime friend, Brandon. He and his wife went immediately to the hospital and were able to keep us informed of his condition. This was the only way we were able to function until we could get a flight out of Dallas and get to the hospital.
McClendon's injuries included bleeding on the brain, a broken left scapula, bruised lungs and a severely broken tibia and fibula. When he arrived at the ER, he was agitated and incoherent (common with head trauma), so they sedated him and put him on a breathing tube. As awful as this was, we were able to find out from the ER nurse that he was not dying. Before we got on a plane, McClendon was moved to ICU. Brandon was able to let us know that when the nurse decreased the sedation, there was slight movement in his hand. And a second CT scan revealed no new bleeding on his brain.
Soon after arriving at the hospital, we were told that he'd have surgery that day on his leg and didn't need an operation on his brain to alleviate any swelling. We were thrilled! After what appeared to be a successful surgery of inserting a titanium rod into his leg and taking him off of sedation and the breathing tube the following day, McClendon's recovery was miraculous! Although his speech was initially slurred and halting, he recognized us immediately and knew his own name and birthdate, as well as the month, the year and the name of the U.S. President.
After leaving ICU, he spent five nights in a regular room, working on his speech and getting accustomed to a wheelchair. A week after arriving in the ER, he was preparing to leave the hospital to spend a few days in an Airbnb before flying back to Dallas with us to recover. Before leaving LA, we were able to spend time with Stephen and Donna and thank them for all they did to shield McClendon and get him the help he needed. It was surreal to talk with them and see how God had used them and even answered their prayers for our son's life.
Once in Dallas, a quick succession of doctor visits revealed the need for some Neuro rehab (for a very slight slowing of speech and double vision) for the traumatic brain injury and another surgery to his leg. He is confined to a wheelchair and unable to get around outside of our apartment by himself, due to only one good leg and one good arm.
The driver who hit McClendon had the minimum auto coverage for the state of California. McClendon was uninsured. His hospital bill in California was just over $250,000. (While McClendon hopes to be able to negotiate that price down, the bill will still be significant. Also, this does not include bills from individual doctors or the cost of travel and lodging while the family was there.) A second surgery on his leg (done in Dallas) was $12,000. (We are hopeful another leg surgery will not be necessary, but the tibia is notoriously difficult to heal.) Costs continue to add up, and even after his insurance coverage begins (October 1), he will have a deductible.
As bad as McClendon's situation is, with every doctor visit and every telling of his "story," we continue to be amazed at what a miracle it is that he is alive. God truly protected him.
McClendon is a very chill, laid back, outgoing 29 year old. Friends and family describe him as adventurous, generous, kind-hearted, trustworthy, positive and very determined. Coworkers describe him as a "good man."
He loves his adopted hometown of Lake Tahoe, California, and is anxious to move back! Living in Tahoe has allowed him to explore his love of bouldering, snowboarding, mountain biking and photography. His job as Audio/Video Lead Tech has given him the opportunity to travel all over the country, installing systems in video trucks, churches and stadiums. When he's on the road, his routine is getting up in time to go to his favorite local coffee shop, order a 2 shot Macchiato and work the Washington Post crossword puzzle. He also makes a point of pursuing his love of ethnic foods - Thai, Indian and Mexican - with some heat. To burn off some of those calories, and to challenge himself, he often works out in a local yoga studio or climbing gym in the evenings.
McClendon has missed a month of work and will miss more while he recovers and goes through rehab. Everything donated will go directly to McClendon, helping to alleviate the financial stress so that he can focus on recovering. No donation is too small. And if you can't donate, he'd be grateful for your thoughts and prayers and enjoy your notes of encouragement.
McClendon had been working in Los Angeles and was walking back to his hotel after dinner that Sunday night. He was more than halfway through the crosswalk when a driver ran a red light, going 45-50 mph and hit him. It was 10pm in California. Witnesses to the accident heard what they thought was a gunshot, just before they saw McClendon's body fly through the air - 70 ft. from the point of impact.
A family driving in the opposite direction saw the accident and quickly went into action to protect McClendon. The son, Stephen, swerved their car into position to protect McClendon from oncoming traffic. He then got McClendon's phone, before it had a chance to go into lock mode, and retrieved the last phone number called. His mother, Donna, who was by this time holding our son's head, urging him to breathe, told Stephen to look up "Mom" and "Dad" in order to contact us. Other drivers got out of their cars to help direct traffic and shield McClendon, while someone else grabbed a towel for Donna to put under his head. Their quick action undoubtedly saved his life and Stephen's timely phone calls ensured that someone was able to be with McClendon at the hospital from the time he was in the ER. We will forever be in their debt.
McClendon was working on a project in LA with his longtime friend, Brandon. He and his wife went immediately to the hospital and were able to keep us informed of his condition. This was the only way we were able to function until we could get a flight out of Dallas and get to the hospital.
McClendon's injuries included bleeding on the brain, a broken left scapula, bruised lungs and a severely broken tibia and fibula. When he arrived at the ER, he was agitated and incoherent (common with head trauma), so they sedated him and put him on a breathing tube. As awful as this was, we were able to find out from the ER nurse that he was not dying. Before we got on a plane, McClendon was moved to ICU. Brandon was able to let us know that when the nurse decreased the sedation, there was slight movement in his hand. And a second CT scan revealed no new bleeding on his brain.
Soon after arriving at the hospital, we were told that he'd have surgery that day on his leg and didn't need an operation on his brain to alleviate any swelling. We were thrilled! After what appeared to be a successful surgery of inserting a titanium rod into his leg and taking him off of sedation and the breathing tube the following day, McClendon's recovery was miraculous! Although his speech was initially slurred and halting, he recognized us immediately and knew his own name and birthdate, as well as the month, the year and the name of the U.S. President.
After leaving ICU, he spent five nights in a regular room, working on his speech and getting accustomed to a wheelchair. A week after arriving in the ER, he was preparing to leave the hospital to spend a few days in an Airbnb before flying back to Dallas with us to recover. Before leaving LA, we were able to spend time with Stephen and Donna and thank them for all they did to shield McClendon and get him the help he needed. It was surreal to talk with them and see how God had used them and even answered their prayers for our son's life.
Once in Dallas, a quick succession of doctor visits revealed the need for some Neuro rehab (for a very slight slowing of speech and double vision) for the traumatic brain injury and another surgery to his leg. He is confined to a wheelchair and unable to get around outside of our apartment by himself, due to only one good leg and one good arm.
The driver who hit McClendon had the minimum auto coverage for the state of California. McClendon was uninsured. His hospital bill in California was just over $250,000. (While McClendon hopes to be able to negotiate that price down, the bill will still be significant. Also, this does not include bills from individual doctors or the cost of travel and lodging while the family was there.) A second surgery on his leg (done in Dallas) was $12,000. (We are hopeful another leg surgery will not be necessary, but the tibia is notoriously difficult to heal.) Costs continue to add up, and even after his insurance coverage begins (October 1), he will have a deductible.
As bad as McClendon's situation is, with every doctor visit and every telling of his "story," we continue to be amazed at what a miracle it is that he is alive. God truly protected him.
McClendon is a very chill, laid back, outgoing 29 year old. Friends and family describe him as adventurous, generous, kind-hearted, trustworthy, positive and very determined. Coworkers describe him as a "good man."
He loves his adopted hometown of Lake Tahoe, California, and is anxious to move back! Living in Tahoe has allowed him to explore his love of bouldering, snowboarding, mountain biking and photography. His job as Audio/Video Lead Tech has given him the opportunity to travel all over the country, installing systems in video trucks, churches and stadiums. When he's on the road, his routine is getting up in time to go to his favorite local coffee shop, order a 2 shot Macchiato and work the Washington Post crossword puzzle. He also makes a point of pursuing his love of ethnic foods - Thai, Indian and Mexican - with some heat. To burn off some of those calories, and to challenge himself, he often works out in a local yoga studio or climbing gym in the evenings.
McClendon has missed a month of work and will miss more while he recovers and goes through rehab. Everything donated will go directly to McClendon, helping to alleviate the financial stress so that he can focus on recovering. No donation is too small. And if you can't donate, he'd be grateful for your thoughts and prayers and enjoy your notes of encouragement.
Organizer and beneficiary
McClendon Clark
Beneficiary