Marshall Clark was one of the few.
One of those few kiddos who suffer from a terribly rare disease. One of those few who have the privilege of only a tragically short life. Marshall Clark was also one of those few whose story sticks with you, and makes you feel more things than most.
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After just 18 months, Marshall had been robbed of his eyesight, as well as his ability to move freely and communicate. More than anything though, the boy who once lived to run and play outside had been robbed of his childhood.
He began suffering from seizures and tremors, which left Marshall completely unable to feed himself, and prone to falls.
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Elsie Clark, Marshall’s grandmother, is a trained nurse. She cared for the boy at her home throughout the final three years of his unimaginably short life. Marshall suffered tremendously, and it was difficult to watch, but Elsie says that “his determination and his happiness through it all has just amazed me.”
Watching Marshall’s disorder progress was heartbreaking for the family to endure, but through it all, they got to see incredible strength and resilience from one very positive little boy.
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“When he lost the ability to walk, he learned to crawl,” Elsie explained. “When he struggled to feed himself using a knife and fork, he swapped his cutlery for two forks and would eat one mouthful at a time. And even when he was bed-bound, unable to move or talk, he continued to smile.”
Despite his young age, Elsie says that Marshall seemed to find a way to accept his illness. In doing so, she believes he found ways to make the best of his circumstance.
“He took everything this disease threw at him and kept trying. He would drop to the floor about 40 times a day, that’s why he wore a helmet, but he would always get back up. He never complained or got frustrated by it.”
Before Marshall passed away on October 30, Elsie took to Facebook to share a letter she had written on behalf of her grandson. Though he didn’t write it, Elsie hoped to capture the spirit of Marshall in all of his strength, resilience and happiness and joy.