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Subscribe to RSSAn Indiana woman lost both her legs when her family's home collapsed on top of her Friday as she was shielding her two children from a devastating tornado, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported. But thanks to the woman's efforts, her kids survived.
Stephanie Decker, 36, lost one leg above the knee and the other above the ankle, her husband Joe Decker said. She is in stable condition at a hospital in Louisville.
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“What I told her was, ‘You’re alive and you get to see your kids grow up,’” Joe Decker of Marysville, Ind. told the newspaper. “If you look in the basement, there’s no way anybody should have lived, let alone two kids who don’t have a scratch on them.”
Read the full story from the Courier-Journal
Decker told the newspaper he sent his wife a text message from work Friday, telling her the radar was showing a tornado headed straight for their three-story brick and stone house.
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Stephanie Decker had arrived home minutes before and immediately huddled in the basement with their 8-year-old son, Dominic, and 5-year-old daughter, Reese, the paper reported.
Then she “just stopped texting me,” Joe Decker told the Courier-Journal, standing outside his devastated home on Sunday afternoon. “She was on top of them.”
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Decker said that once the funnel cloud had passed, several neighbors came to his family's aid, after his son alerted them.
According to the report, the now destroyed 8,000-square-foot, three-level house was the couple's dream home.
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Seriously, there are families out there who were in bad financial straights to start with and could use some help. I'd suggest donating to charities where you can earmark what the money is to be used for and help those families rather than this family, which appears financially well off. This family is apparently not struggling financially. Personally, if that had happened to me, I have excellent homeowners and health insurance and would be out less than a thousand in copays. I expect this family is at least covered against catastrophic loss since the husband has an apparently good job. Most people who recently built their own 8000 square ft homes, as this family did, have a mortgage requiring an escrow account to pay for homeowner's insurance. On the other hand, there are people who aren't injured themselves but now have no home, no insurance, no money and have to bury loved ones.
How do you know that this family is well off? How do you know this family can afford to replace their home? Also, this story wasn't about their home, it was about how this mother lost her legs saving her children. Learn to read before you comment.
Really that is all you got out of this, its people like you is why the gene pool needs a good hard scrubbing.
Putting all the BS about 8,000 sq. ft. homes vs. mobile homes aside, it's obvious that tornadoes are indiscriminate killers and maimers. The intent of this story is meant to convey what the mom did and what she suffered so that her children would not. Please, for the love of whatever is holy in your life, or not, let the sniping go for a little while. Be happy that this family is still intact and sad for those who are not. Be helpful in ways that suit you - either contribute to this fund, or not. Contribute to whatever makes you feel good or where you think it will do the most good. Geez people, can't you just get over the hate and prejudice for a little while?
I'm totally impressed that she managed to do the right thing in that situation: most of the stories so far are about horrible injuries and deaths when people thought that hiding in a trailer or the upstairs part of a house would work. But, one thing I'm not sure of, WHO would build their "dream home" in Tornado Alley?
People build dream homes everywhere- "Hurricane alley" in the Gulf area, "earthquake alley" in CA, and "fire alley" in forest areas. Maybe thier employment kept them there, who cares why they had their dream home where they had it.
My thoughts and best wishes go out to all the families that lost thier homes in this disaster. I am in Oklahoma and we were spared this one, but I have many friends and some family that live in the affected areas. I am still waiting on check-in's from some of them. I am hoping for good news from all. My prayers and sympathies to all who lost loved one's.
That Mom is a hero in my book.
I am sure she is happy to be alive, but to lose both of her feet ,she has a very rough time ahead of her,but with her family's help, she is a strong woman,I have no doubt and will be able to do it. The hardest part will be learning to walk again,unless she opts for just using a wheel chair. My thoughts and prayers go out to her,which ever she decides.
The word Hero get's tossed around a lot... This Mom is a true Hero.
That woman is a TIGER and has my deepest respect.
This story brought tears to my eyes. Finally I am reading about a mom doing what we are suppose to do always, protect our children with our lives. If more moms behaved sacrificially we would see less neglected, abused and dead children in the news.
Way to stay on subject people ~ Jesus!!!!
I beleive she isn't going to give a rats rear end that she lost her legs. I know I wouldn't. Only thing on that womans mind was she had to save her babies no matter the cost. A real mama bear, thats for sure. Bless all the families that have been hit by these storms, and may the ignorant people on here talking about the size of thier home or how poorly this article was written may you all choke. Keep your stupidy to yourselves. Remember karma is a you know what sometimes.
Another great story of a Mom Hero! :)
I hope recovery is fast for her and her family (physically and emotionally). My prayers are with you!
I wish all the people who hurt their kids would stop and read this article about parents should do for their kids.!
Kudos Mom I hope you have a wonderful life deserved with yur children and a speedy recovery getting used to the new you!
You know what is a shame is that we have all of these so called millionaires, I do not read about any of them sending money t these unfortuante families heplin gthem out in even tthe smallest way.
I have thought about many times putting together or joining forces with other like minds to raise funds for the victims of these unfortunate circumstances....
Mrs. Decker, you are nothing but a hero, and a very brave one. I'd like to share a story with you and your family; My dad lost his legs over the skies in Germany in 1942, went on to fully recover, and went to the Pacific theatre in 1944, where he again was shot down, but his now artificial legs were jammed in the cockpit due to the damage to his aircraft, so he unbuckled them, bailed out, and was picked up by an Australian rescue craft. He came home from the war, married, and had 4 children, I of which am the youngest, and we're all glad he lost his legs to the Germans, or none of us would be here. He died in 2010 at the age of 91 a very happy grandpa of 9!
Ralph, completely off topic.. but lOVED the story.. thanks.
I don't live in tornado country-but perhaps it might be a good time to ask if homes should be built to a tornado standard. Eg; a well-protected basement that will survive the house collapsing on it.
It's going to be terrible for the kids if their mother is incapacitated, especially if health ins isn't forthcoming for a prosthetic and if they don't have tornado insurance: the family loses so much in a single night.
God bless this selfless mother. That is ALL i have to say.
She did a really great thing, and I hope they're able to get him the best prosthesis money can buy. Maybe it's because I've never had kids, but I don't think I would be willing to lose my legs for them if I did have some.
First of all, it is a "her" not a "him".. The mom lost her legs not the dad. Second, it is good you are chosing not to have kids if you are not willing to sacrafice all you have for them.
All about being a Mom! Made me cry but definitely would do the same for my babies.
THIS is what a mom looks like, not the ones pimping their daughter on a webcam to an adult, selling their kids, injecting them with heroin, or murdering them. Good job, mom. You have shown what a loving, dedicated mother you are and your children will never forget your sacrifice.
Oh Yes, I'm going to jump on the bandwagon of one woman who says to donate money to this poor family with the 8,000 square foot house and "no" insurance to help them get out of their tough situation. In reality, I cannot even start to fathom the income that the family with an 8,000 sf house has, when I can't even pay my bills in an apartment, soaring unemployment, home foreclosures, and people living paycheck to paycheck. Although I do feel bad for the series of events that they've endured, WHY IN @@@@ SHOULD WE STRUGGLING AMERICANS DONATE TO A FAMILY WHO MOST LIKELY HAS MORE ASSETS AND INSURANCES AND MONEY IN THE BANK THAN ALOT OF AMERICANS WILL EVER HAVE?????????????? Does anyone want to battle on this one? Well let me ask all you readers, one quick question, does anyone here live in an 8000 square foot house???? I didn't think so.... Is anyone here who DOES have an 8,000 sf house not able to pay their bills and make ends meet, or is totally uninsured???????????? I didn't think so.............. Does anyone here have any clue what the yearly taxes alone are, on an 8,000 sf house??????????????????? I didn't think so, the taxes alone are more than what some people make in a year......... How about donating money to the poor family that lost their trailer home in the trailer park, instead of donating money to the poor millionaire in the mansion???????? Wake up public, you're very disappointing to the rest of society.......................
This story is not about donating to this family. It is about a mom who risked all to save her kids. Maybe you might want to re-read to get the actual point of this story.
Who said they were millionaires or didn't have insurance? Some insurance does not cover prosthetics or dismemberment. With the surgerys and physical therapy she is going to endure, this could cost hundreds of thousands, and some insurance taps out well before that. You are making assumptions about this family. Also, yes there are many families who will be needing assistance. Above posters have provided information on how to donate, not just for this family but for all who's lives were forever changed.
While the story isn't about needed donations, there are several reasons to donate. Insurance and federal assistance won't come close to helping the families, towns, and counties that have been devestated by this destruction. You have no idea of what their assets/obligations are. Besides, do you want others to be as heartless, selfish and miserly as you when you need help?
Some of these post just amaze me. What does rich, poor or middle class have to do with her saving her children.
Clearly the size of her heart, sole and fearless protection of her children trumps anything else!
AWESOME mom and quite a refreshing change in the news.
Antelope1230, you seem very angry. I have lost my home and am unemployed with NO insurance. However, to compare my circumstances to someone that has lost their home (regardless of its size) to these horrific storms, or suffered broken bones while saving neighbors, their legs while shielding their children, their life, or the lives of their loved ones and neighbors? You are so callous that I can not imagine where your head is. Life is difficult for a lot of people right now. But really? Does the size of the home that crumbles on you make any more difference than if the limbs lost were skinny or fat, fair or tanned?? Of course not. Perhaps if you stopped spending your time spitting venom online, adjusted your attitued a bit, your situation would improve. I have my bad days too, but nothing I'm struggling through compares to the sudden loss suffered through these storms.
Great Job Mrs. Decker!!! You may have lost your legs but you have saved your children. I recently lost my left below the knee and was almost killed. It's hard at first, and it always lingers in you mind, "What if I had done something just a little different? Would I still have my leg?" But you just have to trudge on. Everyday is a new day and wake up and see the sun shining and hear your babies playing, you know its gonna be ok. I would really like to talk to Mrs. Decker. If the reporter that wrote this is reading these posts, please give her my email address. rjstiles at hot mail. Best wishes and good luck to Mr. and Mrs Decker and their children.
How do you lose a leg above the ankle? or above the knee? And if they meant below, does that mean she lost a foot?
Steve... it just refers to the area of the leg where it was amputated. its medical terms. Mine is a left bka. which stands for left leg, below the knee amputation. they took mine right below the knee.
ok, blonde moment!
It is truly a shame that there is no civilian equivilant to the Congressional Medal of Honor. If I had command of a company of soldiers with that level of courage... but then, a mother protecting her young is a truly awesome and frightening thing. After reading about a young mother killing her baby for crying during her 'facebook' session, or the mother/grandmother combo who made a girl run three hours for eating some snack (and the girl dies of dehydration), this restores my faith in the species. Madam,I mourn the loss of your legs... but I applaud the courage you have shown. You are an example to the rest of us, a reason for the continuation of our kind. Your children are fortunate not only to be alive, but to have such an example for a Mother.
PRESENT... ARMS!!!
the Old Sgt.