Parents of a young girl from Tennessee afflicted with spinal meningitis following a major head injury are finding the Pray for Chloe Clark movement they initiated on her behalf is gaining surprising momentum.
At the time of writing, that video has been shared more than 7,800 times, viewed more than 691,000 times, and support is pouring in from across the globe.
Chloe’s father told about how on Jan. 11 a piece of plywood fell from the roof of a house he was building for his family and struck his daughter.
“As soon as I heard the scream I knew we were going to the emergency room, I knew it was bad enough just from the sound,” Clark said.
But the little girl’s injuries proved significant enough for specialized treatment at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.
But when she had recovered enough from the trauma and was about to go home, her condition unexpectedly deteriorated.
“She actually took a little nap and then she woke up screaming in pain, she grabs the back of her head and we’re kinda freaking out like what’s going on,” Clark said.
Tests showed she had somehow contracted meningitis, an infection of the fluid and membranes around her spinal cord.
Many well-wishers posted encouraging words. Some shared about how Chloe’s plight had made them reflect more deeply on their lives.
“I have had messages from people all around the world saying, I spend more time with my children today, my husband and wives, they actually took time off to be together,” Jared said.
Then on Jan. 18, Chloe made a breakthrough in her recovery and was taken off breathing apparatus. Her parents posted a video of the girl awake, speaking briefly to her parents, caressing her dog.
But the recovery hasn’t been a smooth one for Chloe.
“As we’ve never been through this, we had no knowledge of how rough getting off meds and just everything waking back up could be for Chloe. Please don’t let up on prayer for her, especially as her surgery date approaches,” she added.
On Jan. 23, Chloe’s father posted an update and this photo.
Several hours later, Clark took to Facebook to say that he had received news his daughter was being taken back to the intensive care unit, but that “all seems to be okay for now and today is going to be another “watching” day.”
He concluded by asking for continued prayers.
“It’s brought much comfort and encouragement to our entire family.”