Still Life
November 12, 2022 2:03 PM Subscribe
Almost 50 years ago Dallas—and the country—was gripped by the tragic story of John McClamrock, a high school football player paralyzed during a violent tackle. But after the newspapers moved on, another story was quietly unfolding, one of courage, perseverance, and a mother’s fierce love.
I came upon this older story by stumbling upon Skip Hollandsworth recalling "the most moving story of my career."
I came upon this older story by stumbling upon Skip Hollandsworth recalling "the most moving story of my career."
I want to leave a comment but I don’t know what to say. It’s a heartbreaker.
I felt the same way when I was making the post. I used the editorial framing of the article because I wasn’t sure what I could possibly add- it’s a poignant, beautiful, and devastating story.
posted by charmedimsure at 6:53 PM on November 12, 2022 [4 favorites]
I felt the same way when I was making the post. I used the editorial framing of the article because I wasn’t sure what I could possibly add- it’s a poignant, beautiful, and devastating story.
posted by charmedimsure at 6:53 PM on November 12, 2022 [4 favorites]
.
Skip Hollandsworth is a treasure. Every Texas story he tells (he's been with Texas Monthly forever) is quality and worth a read.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 8:14 PM on November 12, 2022 [4 favorites]
Skip Hollandsworth is a treasure. Every Texas story he tells (he's been with Texas Monthly forever) is quality and worth a read.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 8:14 PM on November 12, 2022 [4 favorites]
Absolutely devastating and proof that humans can endure more than could seem possible. So much love and strength in that family. Amazing.
posted by gryphonlover at 8:22 PM on November 12, 2022
posted by gryphonlover at 8:22 PM on November 12, 2022
An amazing, sad but inspiring and hopeful story. I keep thinking about it. So well written, perfect. Thanks for posting this gem.
posted by j810c at 9:16 PM on November 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by j810c at 9:16 PM on November 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
How beautiful, and how unutterably sad.
posted by Nieshka at 11:04 PM on November 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Nieshka at 11:04 PM on November 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
What a heartbreaking story. I was curious if John would have been able to get better treatment now. The Shepherd Center is one of the best spinal rehabilitation centers in the world, and even their prognosis for someone with a high cervical injury is not that different from 50 years ago. I do wonder if modern rehab could have at least made it possible for him to sit in a wheelchair, if not operate it himself.
posted by hydropsyche at 6:46 AM on November 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by hydropsyche at 6:46 AM on November 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
.
A haunting story, full of beauty.
hydropsyche: I thought a lot about that too. I do believe that there are more adaptive technologies that would allow him to operate things with his mouth, breath, and eyes, to say nothing of what the internet would allow him to do. If he was able to get access to such things, which is certainly possible with such a supportive community, he would have been able to engage with the world.
posted by Countess Elena at 8:51 AM on November 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
A haunting story, full of beauty.
hydropsyche: I thought a lot about that too. I do believe that there are more adaptive technologies that would allow him to operate things with his mouth, breath, and eyes, to say nothing of what the internet would allow him to do. If he was able to get access to such things, which is certainly possible with such a supportive community, he would have been able to engage with the world.
posted by Countess Elena at 8:51 AM on November 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yes! He had a homemade puffer that operated the TV and radio. That suggests he could have used a modern puffer-operated wheelchair or computer, or an eye-controlled computer.
posted by hydropsyche at 9:28 AM on November 13, 2022
posted by hydropsyche at 9:28 AM on November 13, 2022
I’m glad some found this moving. Ann McClamrock was an amazing person and an obviously devoted parent. So, thanks for posting.
But the piece didn’t work for me. The story book tone, the writing style, and the descriptive flab were off putting.
The article describes a life of hardship and drapes it with romantic notions of mother love. Of course, Mrs. M. was Catholic, where the glorification of suffering is such a comfort. But there has to be more to the story then a pious woman who endures all privation and loss with a nightly prayer.
I found it problematic when the article said Mrs. McClamrock “refused help." It's presented as some kind of virtue, but it’s not clear what help could she have had anyway. It doesn’t sound like there was much money. Could she have even afforded it?
Can we all agree it is terribly unhealthy for one person to be a single caretaker?
In summary, I guess my main issue with the article is the way it echoed the Catholic admiration for female suffering and sacrifice, no matter how unhealthy or unfair.
Just my thoughts.
posted by rhonzo at 7:54 AM on November 14, 2022 [3 favorites]
But the piece didn’t work for me. The story book tone, the writing style, and the descriptive flab were off putting.
The article describes a life of hardship and drapes it with romantic notions of mother love. Of course, Mrs. M. was Catholic, where the glorification of suffering is such a comfort. But there has to be more to the story then a pious woman who endures all privation and loss with a nightly prayer.
I found it problematic when the article said Mrs. McClamrock “refused help." It's presented as some kind of virtue, but it’s not clear what help could she have had anyway. It doesn’t sound like there was much money. Could she have even afforded it?
Can we all agree it is terribly unhealthy for one person to be a single caretaker?
In summary, I guess my main issue with the article is the way it echoed the Catholic admiration for female suffering and sacrifice, no matter how unhealthy or unfair.
Just my thoughts.
posted by rhonzo at 7:54 AM on November 14, 2022 [3 favorites]
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