Jackson's Story

15 year old Jackson Butcher is much like any other active teenager.  A sophomore at White County High School in Sparta, Tennessee, Jackson spends most of his free time playing sports, working on the computer, fishing and hanging out with his friends. 

His life was turned upside down on the night of October 6, 2007 while on his way home from an autumn event with his best friend and other teens. Jackson was involved in a motor vehicle accident and was thrown from the vehicle along with his best friend, who later died from his injuries. 

Amazingly, Jackson survived the accident but suffered a brain injury and remained in a coma for 14 days.  When he finally woke up and could open his eyes, his parents Don and Valarie were there by his side. Ronald McDonald House made it possible for the couple to stay close.

“We could just concentrate on taking care of Jackson and not worry about a place to stay,” says Don Butcher, Jackson’s father.

The Butchers found hope and comfort at Ronald McDonald House during their 5 week stay.  Families stay an average of about two weeks however, some depending on their child’s medical need, have stayed as long as a year.

Don and Valarie have 2 other sons, Greg and Isaac, who live with them in their hometown in Sparta plus two older children out west in Texas. Jackson can now walk and talk but with difficulty. He is completing the final stage of his rehabilitation at home.  The Butchers recall donating to Ronald McDonald House over the years without ever knowing they would one day need to use the "home away from home."