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Stories of Hope

Jack’s Story

By November 21, 2021January 26th, 2024No Comments

“Thank God Mercy Flight was there to take him. I am forever grateful.”

“As a mom, all I want for my children is health, happiness, and to find that special someone to share their life with,” said Kim Houseknecht. On April 20, 2021, Kim’s prayers for good health for her son, Jack, became front and center.

It was on that Tuesday afternoon she opened her door to a New York State Trooper, who delivered the devastating news that Jack, then 21, had been involved in a horrific automobile accident while on his way to work at a local manufacturer, and that she needed to get to the hospital.

At the hospital, Kim learned Jack had been airlifted by Mercy Flight after suffering life-threatening injuries – severe brain trauma, a broken neck, and spinal damage – when the car he was driving collided with a piece of farming equipment. Jack’s survival was hanging in the balance.

After spending 58 days in the hospital (more than half of them in a coma) enduring three major surgeries, a twice-collapsed lung, and various forms of therapy, Jack came home. Despite the loss of vision in his right eye and having limited mobility of his right hand, he continues to improve.

Recalling the events of that tragic day, Kim believes Jack never would have lived had Mercy Flight not been called to the disastrous scene by local first responders to transport him to the hospital. She said, “He was in such bad shape and needed to get to the hospital fast. Thank God Mercy Flight was there to take him. I am forever grateful.”

WHEN MINUTES MATTER, Mercy Flight will be there, just as we were for Jack – ensuring all persons in Western New York have access to the best possible medically directed transportation, and improving patients’ chances for an optimal outcome.