Erika (Brown) and Bob Clark are local natives of Benkelman Nebraska, population 1006. They were both born and raised in Benkelman and have dedicated their lives to working in the Elderly Care sector of Health Care in hopes of lending some ease and assistance to residents who are in their latter more challenging years.
Erika has a son Hunter from a previous relationship. From the moment Hunter was born he and Bob took to each other like father and son. In short order Bob and Erika found out they were going to be parents again, and this time it was going to be twins.
Erika and Bob welcomed the early arrival of their twin daughters — Aspen 1lb 14 ounces, and Jerri 1lb 15 ounces — on February 18th, 2010. Aspen and Jerri were born approximately 12 weeks premature of full term pregnancy. Because of the early delivery the girls were birthed by C-section to avoid possible trauma to their tiny, not yet fully developed, bodies. "Both girls were delivered pink and loud” said Grandma Brown with a smile.
The girls have been spending most of the first two weeks (of a possible 6-8 weeks in NICU) in High Risk NICU where the specialized staff has been doing a great job of caring for all the premature babies. It was reported yesterday on the Clark Family website (http://www.clarkfamilytoday.com) that both girls weight is up to 2lbs .5 ounces, and they will be moved to Graduate NICU most likely sometime today.
While Erika and Bob both work in the elderly care section of healthcare back home in Benkelman, Erika does not have maternity leave, and both Erika and Bob have now completely exhausted their paid time off.
In order to stay close to their premature daughters Erika and Bob have lived out the last 2 weeks at the Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Denver. Erika will continue to stay — another 4 to 6 weeks — on at the Ronald McDonald house because she’s not leaving Denver without her two girls’ under her wing. Bob, most likely will have to return to Benkelman soon to resume work and taking care of things on the home front.
"Put yourself in the Clark family shoes for just a minute...
You are away from home, you have two new babies that are so very small and helpless, you are out of vacation time and have no maternity leave. You want to stay with your children, but you are going to need help to make that happen. But how do you ask for that kind of help..."
~ Amy Frederick, Publisher - Benkelman Post and News Chronicle
It is indeed a scary place to be, watching your weak, but strong, daughters “fight the good fight” to live, grow, and mature. Some days are better than others, and so far most days have been good days and these little angels are growing and maturing as best their little bodies will allow.
Erika's brother-in-law Scott, and sister Michell Hammack designed the Clark Family website as a place for Erika and Bob to post pictures and updates about the girls as well as other Clark Family goings on.
Please come show your support at the Clark Family Website at: http://www.clarkfamilytoday.com
and leave a comment and or donation to help out this family in its time of need.
Cards and notes can be mailed to:
Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Denver, Inc.
Attention: Erika and Bob Clark
Room # 3F
1300 East 21st Ave
Denver, Co 80205-5218
