Rochester, N.Y. – It’s been over a month since two eight-year olds in a stroller plunged into the canal at Genesee Valley Park. This week, the family, who is from Florida, plan to head home.
But before they make their journey back, the Clanton family spent Sunday with the congregation at Christian Community Church in East Williamson. The father, Pastor Jon Clanton, was guest pastor at the church Sunday, preaching for the first time since the accident.
“We don't always understand everything that happens or why everything happens,” said Pastor Clanton. “But we do know that God is in control and he's going to help us through whatever we face in our lives.”
Pastor Clanton shared what happened on August 15th as he walked his two eight-year-old children that have special needs, in a stroller along the Erie Canal. Pastor Clanton said he pulled out his cell phone to check the time. The sun washed out his screen so he took two or three steps to a nearby bush, away from the stroller. When he turned around the stroller was already heading off the path into the canal.
Their son Sam had minor injuries, but daughter Selah was seriously injured, she remains in the hospital with very little brain activity.
“Everybody's doing really good, we all rally together,” said Pastor Clanton when asked how his family is doing. “It doesn't have to be that tragic things separate you, you actually find out it does exactly the opposite, you treasure your family.”
The family is heading home to Florida this week. Selah will fly in an air ambulance while the family drives. She'll go to a hospital for a few weeks and then to a care facility.
