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Friday, February 12, 2010

The Accident

Caleb Michael Darling is a Sergent in the US Army, just finished up his two tours in Afghanistan and got back state side about a month and a half ago. He built up enough leave time to take the last three months until his discharge and go on a trip across country to visit friends and family. Him and his wife Kathleen had left their first stop in Virginia and were heading down to Beulaville, NC to visit Kathleen's brother.

They met up with her brother about 10 minutes from his house to follow him in. They were following behind her brother, when about 200 yards from her brothers house a car pulled out in front of Cale who swerved to miss him. They missed the car but over corrected, going off the road and hitting a tree about 20 feet away. The car hit the tree on the driver side door. It collapsed the door and roof around him pinning him against the steering wheel. Her brother saw all this in his rear view mirror and was the first to the car. Another member of the military stopped and together, he and her brother got Kathleen's door open. A nurse that was late for work drove up to the accident and was able to help keep Cale alive until paramedics arrived. Firefighters had to cut the roof of the car off to get him out. Kathleen was sent to one hospital for her injuries while Cale was airlifted to Pitt County Memorial Hospital, which is the best trauma hospital around.

When Cale arrived, Doctors didn't think he was going to pull through. They had a Chaplin and social worker come, but he was still showing that he had fight left in him. The Neurosurgeon decided to perform a surgery, removing a piece of his skull to decrease the pressure as his brain swelled. The Neurosurgeon said that most people in as serious condition as Cale die en route or on the operating table, but Cale pulled through it.

He has a broken femur, facial fractures, hip fractures, clavicle fracture, a severely damaged optical nerve, collapsed lung, cerebral spinal fluid leaking out of his ear due to possible brain damage.

Kathleen's OK, she had just a few staples in her head. At first they wouldn't tell her where Cale was but they transferred her from the hospital she was at up to Pitt. There she was able to make a deal with the doctor to discharge her as long as she stayed around the hospital which wasn't an issue considering she wouldn't leave his bedside.

Please be praying for both of them. We are in the process of setting up an account for donations to help with the expenses while everything settles. Luckily Cale is still property of the US Army and is insured by them so they are taking care of all the medical bills. The address of the hospital is posted on the top right of the blog if you would like to send gifts and flowers.

Kathleen is with friends and family here, and will be until Cale wakes up and they are sent home.

45 comments:

  1. The true meaning of friendship shows up when you give up everything to stay by your friends side. Love is the greatest of all emotions and you have shown true love for your friend.

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  2. Done and done. In Christ's name we pray.

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  3. Jean M. Benson2/20/10, 6:27 AM

    So even in this horror we can see Gods mighty hand... from the believeing Marine who gave Kathleen comfort to the divine intervention of the late nurse who was able to stabalize Cale until paramedics arrived. HE is ever faithful. He will answer all our prayers. Cale will wake up in Gods own timing. We are praying for his miraculous healing. Wake up Prince Charming. We love you all.

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  4. they are both in my thoughts and prayers and i pray that he makes it ok and glad she is ok and prays with her to help her be able to cope with this ordeal.. glad there is ppl out there that actually cares what happens to ppl..my name is shana

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  5. Cale Kathleen, Kathy my thoughts & prayers are with you. Cale you have turned into a wonderful young man. I pray for you every day several times/ hugs Connie

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  6. Yes, of course my prayers will be with your friends. I truly do hope and pray you friend will pull through all of this!!!

    Sincerely,
    Kethon

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  7. So thankful for our amazing God! Caleb is in the best hands - HIS ! Praying for your speedy total recovery !!!!!

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  8. My prayers are with this American Hero and his family, may God protect and watch over them.

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  9. SFC Iver Tokoi2/22/10, 5:50 AM

    Caleb and Kathy,

    I am praying for you. I just found out today and was shocked to hear about and see the pics of Caleb. Caleb is a bright, resilient young man and will pull through his injuries. The Soldiers of 4-25FA are thinking of the Darlings.

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  10. As I woke this morning and read Kathleen's latest post, my heart aches for them so I pray believing that God will raise him up and do great things in and through this. May the peace of God be upon you both and healing in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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  11. There's no question that if anybody can do it, you can Caleb.

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  12. So sad for your heartache. I'll be praying for you and your hubby. In God's perfect timing. From Jan

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  13. I thank you Father that you always here us, and like Jesus, standing in the authority He gave to us we boldly say, CALEB DARLING, COME FORTH! In Jesus' name. And we declare YOU SHALL LIVE, AND NOT DIE!

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  14. Prayers that the Almighty God will hold you in his arms and give you strength and comfort through all.

    Tracy

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  15. Well I had been bothered with the undaunting question of who was the nurse that showed up at the scene to help me when this all happened. I solved that mystery on Sunday as I was going to pick up my son from the beach. I drove right by their house and saw them outside. On the way home we stopped and I had a long conversation with them. Turns out they had been wondering about Cales condition the whole time, they have also been praying for him and Kathleen since it happened. He is in the coast guard and is trained to help in this situation as well. They have also asked me to keep them updated.

    Juan

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  16. Kathleen,
    Brent and I enjoyed meeting you today. Please know that our church is here to help you and your family. I have already sent out an urgent request to get you some help with meals. I have also forwarded your info to some co-workers so that other local churches in our area will lift you and Cale up in their prayers and provide any support to you that they can. God bless you and Cale. May he touch Cale with his healing hands.
    Amanda Anderson

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  17. We continue to pray for you all - for Cale's healing and for courage and strength for family and friends. God's peace bless you all.

    Walter & Teresa Byrum

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  18. You are all in my prayers. Be strong and know that with God all things are possible. The people that heal the fastest are the people with the best support systems. Keep the faith and know that everything will work according to his will.

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  19. KNOW THAT EVERYDAY GOD HAS HIS HEALING HANDS ON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MAY YOU CONTINUE TO FIND STRENGTH AND HEALING EACH AND EVERY COMING DAY. GOD BLESS, AND YOUR ARE IN MY PRAYERS.NANCY MCDONALD

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  20. Maddison - Staci and family3/7/10, 12:28 PM

    WE pray for Cale every night at dinner

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  21. Maddison - Staci and family3/7/10, 1:07 PM

    Dear Cale,
    I know what it is like to be in a Hospital for a great amount of time. When I was 3 months old I had to be rushed into the ER for surgery. Again, when I was 4 years old I had a more serious surgery operation although it was from the same thing. That time when I had the surgery, My mom was told twice I was not going to make it. So my momma calls me a miracle. Since the accident, we have prayed for you and your family.Almost every day we check the updates. We are so grateful you are getting better.
    Love your cousin, Maddison

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  22. the chapins are following cales progress and are praying for you both. we love cale very much and think the world of him. he is precious.

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  23. this is a huge recovery for cale.all i rember is my cusin cj say mom mom dad said come catlin from almost the end of the road.me and my cusin cameron darting in a very huge amount of speed.we heard sirens roar ran.faster amd faster i saw catlin on road side and her cry made me,cameron cry we asked wat happend she told us the tragict news.we were so sad yet angry at the same moment.so that is all remeber was that so hopefully he gets beter.


    sincerly,
    LOGAN BASS

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  24. I just read all the inofrmation on my Nephew's site, TJ Bechard. My heart and prayers go out to everyone Cale has touch. With all your love and prayers going his way, he is in peace and they can speed his Recovery. Kathleen, hang in there and keep the faith. I am not a deeply religious person but I DO BELIEVE IN MIRACLES.

    Andrea

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  25. I am writing for my Mom and myself. You know Mom as Edna Purvis or Amanda Purvis' great-grandma. We try to follow everyday what the news may be. Edna and myself, Claudia (Amanda'a Grandma) pray everyday that the vale will lift and Cale will come back to you and us. But also remember we pray and for you. I am amazed that such a young woman can be as strong as you are. Thank you for sharing your pain with us all.

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  26. Hang in there! Kathleen you are amazing, this was and is probably one of the most trying times of your life, know that you & Cale are in my prayers. I, like Cale ama KHS grad, Class of 93. Just know KHS is full of a bunch of fighters! One of my girlfriends and a fellow KHS 93'graduate as well, was in the fight of her life two years ago. Read her inspiring story ( sccsdecker.blogspot.com ) and see proof that God is great, miracles happen and human strength is amazing. He's going to back on his feet before you know it!

    God be with you, KariAnne

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  27. We are praying for God's mercy and healing grace for you both. The road is long, but know that our Lord is always with you. He is a loving God and will see you through this difficult time. CJ

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  28. God is with us through the deep waters. He is with you Kathleen and Cale. Praying for you. Susan

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  29. Paula Bass and Family4/10/10, 9:33 PM

    Cale And Kathleen, Im Carlos and Crystal's Aunt Paula I hope that you don't mind but i have aske dmy Pastor to keep you guys in all our prays and if there is anything you need olease just ask both crystal and carlos have my numbers As it God's been in room and heartd Since day one just know one the bad days he doesn't stand by and watch but he's holding you in his arms My many prayers are with you and you family

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  30. Maddison - Staci and family4/15/10, 5:08 PM

    This is Maddison Staci's daughter. My family prays for Cale every night and I am glad that he is getting better. My entire family checks the website to see Cale's improvement and so far we all agree that he looks much better. We are thankful that he made it through the accident. bye love Maddison on April 15th 2010 at 5:07 pm

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  31. Jesus is alive ... my supplications to God will never cease for all of y'all ... Remain Blessed ♥

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  32. Kathleen and Cale you both and your extended families continue to be in our prayers here at Cary Christian. Your faith and courage are an
    example to each of us who have chosen to come along side of you in prayer. To God be the Glory.
    Great things he has done and is doing!!!

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  33. Kathleen and Cale I am the Grandmother of your friends Shawna and Robby. I read your story and my heart goes out to you. I am praying for both of you and especially for Cale that he makes a full recovery. What an awesome God we have and I know you are both in His loving arms. We are on our knees in prayer for you and your entire family. Sandy

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  34. Pastor Earl & Lillie Hardy5/24/10, 1:44 PM

    Kathleen, one of our church members that has recently moved to Raleigh and heard you give your testimony at church a few weeks ago, asked us to put you & Cale on our prayer list ... we are praying for y'all here at Beulah Baptist Church in Sterrett, Alabama. May the God of miracles & wonders comfort you as only He is able.

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  35. I cried and prayed for you when I read your story and continue to read it. You inspire me! Thank you for being a light in the darkness.

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  36. I have been praying for you both, and I check this blog almost daily... I used to go to New Life before I came to California as a travel nurse. You have both been an encouragement, as I see you both growing and overcoming this with great faith!!!
    God Bless! Heather Favret

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  37. Kathleen and Caleb,

    Today was my first time visiting this blog and I am stunned. It feels like only yesterday I would give Caleb grief in Afghanistan to break the monotony. For his part, he left me feeling 'overly groped' sometimes. :-)

    I am taking opportunity leave at the end of this month and would love to come visit sometime between 5-8 July while in NC. Can that be arranged?

    I am not the prayerful sort of guy; however, if there is anything I can do then please let me know. I hope you are okay over there.

    Caleb looks like he is making so much progress since your February posts. I'm excited to see him, if I can.

    I send all my love to you and your family.

    ~CPL Andrew Roy

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  38. I want to tell you how touched I am by the faithfullness you are exhibiting throughout this trial God values our faithfullness and this is evident in the positive progression seen in the photos! God will be glorified! And He is faithfull to meet all of our needs!
    Bonnie

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  39. Saw this story through a friend's posting on Facebook. Just want to say that even though I dont know you or your family I appreciate your sacrifice for this country and for my family.
    You will be in my continued prayers. May God answer the many prayers that are being lifted up in your name.
    May God Bless you!
    Stacy from Iowa

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  40. i just hope things are getting better for you him i know at times it must be hard i will keep you guys in my prayer

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  41. It's been so long and every time I come back to where it all began ... where the light within you Kathleen conquered every single darkness that tried to overcome you ... You are an amazing woman with an amazing husband ... Remain blessed :)

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  42. I am so glad that I came across your site! I found your blog while googling Daniella Westlake after hearing about her accident on Facebook. I've checked out both your blog and your Youtube videos. What an inspiration Cale is! And you, you are beautiful and simply AMAZING! Stay strong and God bless you both!

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  43. I really hope things get better for you guys. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

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  44. It's a relief that both of them was able to pull through from the accident. I'm just wishing for their speedy recovery. My thoughts and prayers go out to both of them.

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  45. I'm praying for you both. :)

    In Christ,
    Moriah

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