Thankful people: Family counts blessings despite boy's accident

Thanksgiving is here, and the Stevens family has much to be thankful for this year. A quick glance at what they have faced may contradict that impression, but a slightly longer look makes everything clear.

On June 16, 4-year-old Declan's life took a turn. Some would say it took a turn for the worse. Others would say the turn it took strengthened the family.

Dr. Brian Stevens, Declan's dad and a local chiropractor, calls it "one of the most difficult things."

However, he speaks just as much of the blessings that have come.

On that day, Declan intended to surprise his father, who was mowing the lawn at their Jackson home. His mother, Vanessa, had left to run an errand.

Declan Stevens munches on the chocolate from a s'more Tuesday while surrounded by his parents Vanessa and Brian, and family dog, Millie. (Laura Simon)

"He decided he would sneak out and surprise me. I didn't know he was there, and I backed into him," Stevens said.

Feeling a bump, Stevens turned and could not believe what he saw.

"Declan was lying on the ground," he lamented.

His right leg was in serious trouble, and Stevens knew it.

"You think you've killed your kid ... bleeding as much as he was," he recalls.

Declan Stevens hugs his mother, Vanessa, at their Cape Girardeau County home, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. (Laura Simon)

But the doctor sprang into action. Living 10 miles out of town, he did not waste time calling 911. Instead, he wrapped his young son in a blanket to shield him from seeing the blood and the damage and whisked him to Southeast Hospital.

Stevens writes extensively about what happened, often using Facebook. He finds it therapeutic, and said it's "easier to deal with by talking about it and putting it out there."

In one particularly emotional story, he shares that even in the midst of the trauma, shock and fear immediately after the accident, Declan looked at him and said, "Dad, don't cry. Accidents happen, and Jesus is with me!"

Stevens phoned his wife, two sons and mother on the way to the hospital. When he arrived, his family was waiting for him, as were the doctors. He's thankful within two minutes, doctors were assessing Declan. But upon first seeing his leg, they already knew they only could stabilize him and send him to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis.

"They were pretty much in shock, too," Stevens said.

Vanessa, left, Brian, center, and Declan Stevens play Tuesday with their family dog, Millie, in Cape Girardeau County. (Laura Simon)

Within 45 minutes, they had Declan prepared to make the trip.

That was just the beginning of a journey. Declan underwent 10 surgeries in the next 30 days.

The family has endured many ups and downs on the road to a new foot for Declan -- knee flexion stallings, calcium buildups and physical therapy, for example -- and medical expenses.

Declan, however, continues to be an inspiration, Stevens said. Whenever the couple and their two other sons and daughter feel overwhelmed, they have to think of one thing: "He could have not been here," said the grateful father.

His voice breaking a few times, Stevens relayed how mindful he is things could be much different. They are blessed to have their son alive and full of energy.

Declan Stevens munches on the chocolate from a s'more Tuesday while surrounded by his parents, Vanessa and Brian. (Laura Simon)

"Here's a guy with one foot, and he goes wherever and does whatever he wants to do," Stevens said. He realizes when Declan receives his prosthetic, he will be hard to keep up with. On Tuesday, Declan will go back to Cardinal Glennon for a follow-up and will find out when he gets the prosthetic.

Declan calls his leg his "nub," so it is only fitting he will attend a NubAbility Athletics camp in Du Quoin, Illinois, in July. According to its website, the organization is "dedicated to helping kids with limb loss get off the bench and into the game." Its goal is to "teach the youth to not only play, but to play the best with less -- and win."

Stevens believes Declan and his family already are winners because they have so much support. He praises friends who started a GoFundMe page on the Internet for Declan and the many who have contributed.

Declan will have to receive a new prosthetic annually for the next 13 or 14 years at least, which is expensive, so the Stevens family is appreciative of the generosity extended to them.

"I could not be more thankful for the outpouring ... the things people brought to my office," Stevens says.

Declan Stevens roasts a marshmallow for a s'more Tuesday. (Laura Simon)

Stevens expresses thanksgiving for everyone who has supported Declan.

"I'm thankful for all those people ... and I get asked about it and talk about it every day, about how well he's doing," he says.

While some look at the challenges facing the Stevens family -- challenges he is well aware of -- Stevens remains focused on the blessings they have received.

"I am blessed and thankful every day," he says.