Children Spared in Fatal Crash Bringing Hope to Others by Beating the Odds

FORT WORTH, TX—The three Clemens children left severely injured in the tragic April 7 crash have begun their "incredible journey" to recovery, Susan Skillicorn, the children's grandmother, told NBC 5 in the metroplex.

"It's been an incredible journey but it's just starting,” Skillicorn said to NBC 5 reporter Scott Gordon. “I'm looking so forward to being a light in their future because they warm my heart."

Skillicorn didn't hesitate to depart from her Houston home to be by her grandkids' side at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth after their parents, Jim and Karisa, and 7-week-old sister Juliana perished in the crash.

She hasn't left their side yet.

"I learned a long time ago, you either rise above and make it a better situation or you can choose to be caught up in the drama and the sadness and not help anybody,” Skillicorn said. “And for this, the story is a beautiful story of love and hope and a good and a fresh future. That is the story and for that I am grateful."

Wyatt, 4, is walking again and could leave the hospital as soon as next week after suffering a stroke that left him partially paralyzed.

Angela, 8, suffered broken legs and a fractured skull that left her with brain injuries, but has shown tremendous progress according to Skillicorn.

"Now she can actually read. She can read!” Skillicorn said. “And they say they're amazed at the miracles that have happened."

Zachery, 5, was left in the worst shape of the three with internal injuries, a broken back and bruised lungs littering his road to recovery.

While the three children reside in separate rooms at the hospital, nurses occasionally let them see each other. That allows the children to discuss the tragedy and offer uplifting words for each other to get through these rough times.

"Angie said, 'I'm so glad that we're all still together and that none of us died,” their grandmother shared with NBC 5. “This is stuff they're saying and telling each other."

While the children have found a way to lift each other up through the haze, Skillicorn hopes families see the bigger message that has surfaced in this tragedy.

"I hope the message is love your little ones,” she said. “Take them and hug them because there is no guarantee for tomorrow. There is just no guarantee."