Woman Who Has Dedicated Life to Children With Special Needs Seriously Injured in Crash

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL - A 53-year-old Crystal Lake woman who has dedicated her life to children with special needs remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit at a suburban hospital for treatment of a traumatic brain injury following a crash on Aug. 22, the Northwest Herald reports. Meanwhile, the community has been rallying behind Kathy Jones and so far, has raised over $17,000 in just five days to help Kathy and her family during this difficult time.

And, it has definitely been a difficult time.

On top of the Aug. 22 car crash, the 18-year-old adopted daughter of Kathy and her husband, William Jones, Jr., died on Friday. Shayann Jones, who had severe cognitive and physical impairments, died at school in the arms of the family’s dear friend, Pat Willis-Langan, according to the GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for the Jones’ family. Shayann was “medically fragile” and was on oxygen full time for the past several years.

Kathy Jones, a special education teacher for over 30 years and the mother of four adopted children with special needs, was seriously injured on Aug. 22 when a 1990 GMC semitruck with a fully loaded trailer was traveling west on Route 176 and collided with Jones’ 2013 Ford Escape, which was stopped and facing south on Briarwood Road, according to the Northwest Herald.

The driver of the truck, Robert Anthony, 25, was cited for disobeying a red light, after he attempted to stop for a light that was turning from green to red but could not make that stop, according to the article.

Kathy was a special education teacher for the Special Education District of McHenry County for nearly 30 years. She now works for the School of Expressive Arts and Learning, according to the Northwest Herald.

In 2015, the Northwest Herald named Kathy Jones an “Everyday Hero” for her dedication to children with special needs. She adopted Danny, now in his early twenties and who has cerebral palsy, when he was 4 years old, according to the article. Shayann was adopted when she was 17 months old and was wheelchair-bound and in need of oxygen 24 hours a day. Bill and Kathy adopted Devontae, now a teenager, when he was only 9 months old. He has CHARGE syndrome, which is a genetic disorder, according to the Northwest Herald. And the couple’s youngest, Verrick, who is now a teen, has social and emotional issues.

“[Kathy Jones] dedicated her life to raise kids with significant special needs so they could reach their highest potential,” friend and co-worker Carol Kalas told the Northwest Herald.

Photo credit: Kathy and Shayann Jones GoFundMe page