It has already been two weeks since Paul and Gail Cline’s lives were changed.
People all over the country have been touched by the story of the 60-year-olds in Kentucky who saved each other’s lives while holding on to each other in the midst of a tornado.
Now, the app has received a strong new update.
The house in which they lived fell apart.
May 16 saw an extreme EF-4 tornado sweep through Russell, Pulaski and Laurel counties in Kentucky, leaving path of destruction and many lives altered. On May 18, authorities reported that at least 27 people were killed.
Among those who lived was the married couple Paul and Gail Cline who, in their 60s, lost an arm each while holding hands together as the storm hit their house.
Their story became important to many because of their remarkable injuries and even more so because of the strong bond they had. When their home collapsed, both Paul and Gail were quickly taken to the hospital with urgent injuries. They no longer had their arms around one another. Surprisingly, their will to fight did not weaken.
An emotional update is now bringing heartfelt tears to people everywhere in America.
After a 30-year marriage, the couple is now together in the hospital once again. Even with all the suffering, they tried to find something to smile about.
First words
Gail was taken off the ventilator safely on Thursday last week, after spending many days there. The event made a key difference in her recovery and was also when Paul saw his wife in person again.
One of the broken ribs poked her lung. Their niece said the dog had a damaged liver, a broken collar bone and was covered in scratches. I consider these nurses to be members of our family.
The first thing Rhonda spoke was “I love you,” Brandy Bowman related.
”I really felt the emotions watching it unfold,” said Baker. For all of them, seeing all the family together and for him, watching her without that breathing device. The photo we see shows her with the biggest smile, looking at him.
Paul and Gail’s coming together was lovely, though there is still a lot ahead for them, full of uncertainty.
Their son Jeff Cline shares, “For every one step the father made forward, he took three steps back.” There hasn’t been much progress lately. They are getting better, but they are in a tough spot for now. They aren’t sitting around waiting to go home anytime soon. There are tough challenges yet to come for them.
The heroes in capes are actually these people.
Jeff also thanked everyone in the community and those who helped rescue his parents. He mentioned neighbors Justin Messer and Brandon Hill and EMTs Tim Thompson and Mark Rudder, along with staff at St. Joseph’s London Hospital, the sheriff’s office, fire departments and local ministries.
“Our job is to help all these kids believe in Superman or Batman and all those legends,” he said. “I think the heroes are really these guys in the costumes.”
Paul is still in the hospital, but is soon expected to go to a rehabilitation center to receive more treatments and scans for possible inner injuries.
Paul and Gail Cline have demonstrated to the world what true love and strength look like, despite what they have gone through. Their meeting gives hope after all that has happened and shows that even in such tough times, people can keep shining. They must fight damage for a long time, yet their supporters and service members stand by them.
If you would like to assist the Clines through their recovery, go to their GoFundMe page for details. At the time of writing, the couple has raised more than $103,595.
