KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
June 8, 2018
Ashley Lancaster
Meet the Katy family behind the heartwarming story of simple, fatherly affection that has gone viral on social media.
Jim Porterfield (left) with his children and son-in-law
"As some know my dad is mentally and physically handicapped and so especially now that he's older he's unable to work or earn an income but he's been saving his pocket change for the past month for some reason and I thought nothing of it until I came home and found this today," tweeted his daughter Morgan, a graduate of Taylor High School and former THS Expressions member.
This sweet, simple act of kindness and fatherly affection has gone viral on social media, being picked up by news outlets across the country. The tweet has gotten over 50K retweets and has been shared by People, DailyMail, and more. We got in touch with Morgan to find out more about her father and their family.
The Accident
In 1981, railroad worker and Katy father of four children, Jim Porterfield, was in a head-one collision with a drunk driver that almost killed him.
Porterfield spent 6 weeks in a coma and underwent a total of 13 surgeries to treat severe head and bodily injuries that included a subdural hematoma, multiple lacerations, and shattered bones. Skin grafts, pins, and bolts were necessary to keep him alive and repair some of the damage - but nevertheless, Jim was left with severe physical and mental disabilities.
"He is unable to brush his hair, teeth, or eat with his dominant hand," says his daughter, Krista on the family's GoFundMe page, which they started to raise money to help pay for medical expenses.
Defying the Odds
Doctors said that it was unlikely that Mr. Porterfield would live, let alone walk again, but he defied the odds and not only survived, but lovingly raised and cared for his four children, despite his limitations. He worked in a file room at an oil and gas company in Houston for over 30 years, paying the bills, and providing for his kids the way a good father does.
He was laid of from his job in 2017, and the medical bills have become overwhelming for the family to handle. Not yet eligible for medical care, his children are scraping by to make ends meet. It's been tough, but even during hardship, Jim is finding little ways to show his children how much he cares.
"My dad has always told me how blessed he is, and tried to teach me to help others and do everything for the glory of God...he's my hero and the most kindhearted and loving man you'll ever meet," says Morgan.
Morgan will start school at Sam Houston State University in the fall, and her younger brother, Evan attends Memorial Parkway Junior High.