Facebook post from Chris: August 26, 2021

As Jenn and I continue to navigate this extremely difficult time we now live minute to minute, we are being fueled by our son and deep love of our family. We are also finding great comfort in the community and extremely deep and far reaching outpouring of support.
I simply cannot begin to express the brief moments of light it is bringing within such darkness and the gratitude we feel is immense. Thank you.
On the topic of gratitude, we also want to call out a few departments and people. Specifically the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCHP) Lexington County Sheriff's Department and County of Lexington Fire Department, and EMS Teams. I will note, I am noting a few individuals because we had direct and active contact during and throughout the event. We reference departments because there were many involved and both are what are important.
I will concede, this is very hard to write only because we are still so early in this process and the road is already grueling and extremely bumpy. However just as the support brings light so too did these departments that horrific Saturday night.
- Trooper Coffee of the SCHP met with us on scene and then maintained composure yet offered compassion at the hospital to make sure we arrived okay and also check again on how Julian was doing.
- Deputy Watlington from the Lexington County Sheriffs Office prevented us from getting to our son (yes we arrived on scene before even being called ; gut wrenching ) as the experts did their job. What is remarkable about her is that she comforted Jenn, allowing her to cry into her chest the whole time while also refereeing me desperately wanting to get through while also keeping us both updated with any signs of hope.
- EMT Lisa Dawkins. Lisa shielded our son from glass straddling and talking with him as he lay scared due to his injuries and what occurred as they worked to get him out of the car. Then when on the ambulance, where my wife was compassionately allowed to ride in with our son in, Jenn watched as she pulled shards of glass from her clothes that she took while shielding him.
Thank you all for the continued prayers and outpouring of support. If you get a chance please also take a minute to thank the first responders, we certainly do.
Edit - I’ve had a few requests and this is okay to share. I am typically a private person, but I am finding we have very little control right now and it only seems fair to offer insight on this road. But most importantly on this one, it recognizes a community, random acts of kindness, and departments that will never get the recognition they deserve and should.

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