Can-Do-Ability: Answers and Solutions from my personal experiences of living with a disability

Strength To Carry On

9 Sep 2011The Coble family was a typical American family, living in California, living out their dream. But in an instant, their world came crashing down around them, changing their lives, forever.

While Chris Coble was at work, as a software engineer, Lori Coble, who was now a stay-at-home-mom, took their three children to a local shopping mall, along with her mother.

The Coble's eldest son, Kyle, just turned 5 years old, the previous day, 3rd May 2007, so Lori wanted to take the kids somewhere fun to continue the celebration. The particular shopping centre that they went to had a ferris wheel and other rides for them to play on. Lori enjoyed watching her three beautiful children, Kyle, 5, Emma, 4 and Katie, 2 and a half, playing and giggling together.

Lori decided that it was time to head home, as it was nearing closer to nap-time for the children. With Lori behind the wheel, they began driving home on a major freeway in California, they came to a stretch of freeway that was typically banked up near their exit, so Lori began to slow down.

Lori turned around to glance at her precious children, Kyle was playing on his new computer game that he got for his birthday, Emma was watching a movie, and Katie was dozing off to sleep. Lori squeezed Katie's toe to wake her, since they weren't far from home, she wanted her to be able to sleep more soundly, once she was in her own bed. That's the last thing Lori remembers...

Without warning, a large truck, travelling at around 100 km/h, carrying 40,000 pounds of electrical equipment, came slamming into the back of the Coble family's minivan, striking the back seat, where all three children were seated. During the impact, Lori was knocked unconscious, but her mother, Cindy, who sustained broken ribs, remembers the whole incident.

The two youngest girls Emma and Katie, died almost instantly, just moments apart from each other, Kyle, clinging to life, was rushed to one hospital, while Lori was taken to another with a severe concussion.

Chris was called at work and told to come to the hospital, but wasn't given any further information. When he arrived, the doctor advised him that both of his little girls had passed away. With Kyle lying in another hospital, alone, in a critical condition, Chris rushed to see him. His eyes were partially open, but doctors said that his brain wasn't receiving any oxygen and advised that they turn the life support system, which was keeping him alive, off.

Chris wanted both him and Lori there, for Kyle's last moments on earth, so arrangements were made for Lori to be transferred to where Kyle was. They sat together, with their son, while he took his last breath, with Chris's hand on Kyle's chest, feeling the last beat of his little heart, before he slipped away, to join his little sisters in heaven.

The driver of the truck, 37 year old, Jorge Miguel Romero, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, and sentenced to 364 days in prison, and five years probation, during which time he wouldn't be allowed to drive commercial trucks.

Jorge was allegedly speeding and talking on the phone at the time of the crash. Jorge, who had driven along the same stretch of freeway for the whole week, would've been aware of the usual traffic jam that was likely to occur, where the accident happened. It has been reported that with today's pressure for truck drivers to get their delivery's done on time, they are driving for more hours, without sufficient sleep, than they should be. With claims that some truck drivers are even doctoring their driver log books, so it looks like they've stopped and taken mandatory rest breaks, when they haven't.

Stricken with grief, Chris and Lori didn't want to go on, but through their pain, made a pact not to leave each other. Three months since the family tragedy, Chris and Lori decided to try again for a baby, as they always wanted children, and now having none, was just too strange for them.

After their youngest daughter Katie was born, they decided that they weren't going to have any more children, and took steps to ensure there would be no more pregnancies, so in order to conceive again, they required assistance via in-vitro fertilisation, which proved successful in the first month.

Almost exactly a year, to the day, since the tragic loss of the Coble's three little angels, Lori gave birth to triplets, two girls and a boy. They feel so blessed to have had a second chance, with three new little miracles. Chris and Lori named the triplets, Ashley, Ellie and Jake, and as a tribute to their older late sibling's, they each have one of their older brother and sisters' names as a middle name.

Lori and Chris say that the triplets will never replace their first born angels, but will certainly give them something to look forward to in the future, and believe that they were heaven sent, with a little help from Kyle, Emma and Katie. They are also working hard to get a law passed, that will require trucks to be equipped with on-board computers, which will record their moves, in hopes to avoid tragedies like this in the future.

This isn't one of my typical ‘disability' stories, but it does show you the incredible courage that is possible after such tragic circumstances. No matter how bad life is in the present, there is always an opportunity for it to improve. Time doesn't heal all wounds; it's what you do with that time that will give you healing, so make the most of it while you can.

I urge you to watch the Coble's story that was featured on Oprah; it's a four part series that captures the strength and determination, of this family, and the ability to carry on.

Please copy and paste the following links into your internet browser to watch their story from their own words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJSvJ_NkvJw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liQkLqTHhgE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNsTVIsop4Q&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLE74E59D979295E94
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhk3upJcpKw&feature=related



The Coble's minivan after the crash
Friends juristkipyn.ru,juristzwhec.ru,

Candle light vigil held by the community
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5 year old Kyle Coble
Friends juristkipyn.ru,juristzwhec.ru,

Chris and Lori Coble on the Oprah show
Friends juristkipyn.ru,juristzwhec.ru,

Chris and Lori Welcome their three new additions - Ashley, Ellie and Jake
Friends juristkipyn.ru,

Jorge Miguel Romero, driver of the truck that killed the Coble children
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4 year old Emma Coble
Friends juristkipyn.ru,juristzwhec.ru,

2 and a half year old Katie Coble


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Previous Comments

Sophie from England posted on 25 Aug 2013
I think about these children everyday <3I cried for hours when I first heard their story and how beautiful they are. But now they are in a better place where the love never ends. Rest In Peace Babies <3

Ella from Mission Viejo CA posted on 2 Aug 2013
I've played with Emma a few times but I don't remember anything I only remember a little bit of their looks but I watch their videos and wish we could still be playing miss you guys

Meagan from Ladera Ranch CA posted on 26 Jul 2013
Kyle, Emma and Katie:: You guys are closer then I ever thought you'd be..... As my cousins you should be... Yet I only saw you a few times. Being only a few years older than Kyle.... It feels like you are still 5, 4, and 2 while I am now 12. I'm trying to cope without you here.! Remember I'm always here. We're Watching down on you. XoXo

Kali from Australia posted on 14 Apr 2013
I think about these three children almost every day and I cry histerically every time I do. It's hard losing someone who never really had a chance in life, like James Bulger who was intentionally killed, his killers knowing that they were taking away a world of opportunities for a young boy. It's unimaginable that these three beautiful children are gone, but its even harder to imagine them not coming back. I think that's the worst part of life, knowing something you love is gone forever. R.I.P Every child that is gone. Gone but never forgotten.

Eva from Germany posted on 26 Feb 2013
Im still feeling with Chris & Lori and theire horible lost!And Im also so happy that they get the tripplets - a ray of light after all the darkness they had to stand.

elvia martinez from mexico posted on 18 Jan 2013
Rest in Peace those three little angels, and God bless the triplets.

Rebecca from Ontario posted on 6 Nov 2012
I think about this Family Often.Mom & Dad have the most incredible Stength, and I'm sure their 6 Beautiful Babies are so very Proud of them.

Sigi Kattner from Germany Koblenz posted on 23 Oct 2012
I always think about the coble children and I wish this Family all the best in the future life.God let the children R.I.P

sasha from bahamas posted on 20 Aug 2012
i am so very sorry for there lost.i hope you have three health baby

Demi from Australia posted on 19 Dec 2011
Such a sad story with a bit of happiness at the end.send all our love and happiness to the coble family

daphne tatum from Las Vegas Nevada posted on 23 Nov 2011
I feel bad for u guys

lupita from houston tx posted on 29 Sep 2011
i wish the best for the coble family. it is a miracle for them to be able to have 3 wounderful babies back into ther life. (God Bless)

Zach miller from Sacramento ca posted on 9 Sep 2011
This was a sad story children are not expected go before their parents

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