Baby Jessica — 20-year Anniversary
Wow, I can’t believe it’s already been 20 years (two decades!) since Jessica McClure was rescued from a backyard well after accidentally falling in. Rescuers worked around the clock for 2 1/2 days to get to Jessica, who was lodged 22 feet below.
The event received worldwide media attention, and the McClure family was showered with gifts for Jessica after the successful rescue. In fact, the cash donations Jessica received were put into a trust fund that she will be eligible for in 3 years. From AP reports I’ve read, the fund will be worth close to $1 million dollars at that time. Wow!
I remember the rescue, of course, but since I was just 13 at the time, I wasn’t riveted by it or anything like that. I was aware of what was going on; I just didn’t spend my time glued to the TV wondering if Jessica would survive.
Now that I’m a parent, however, I’m sure I would watch differently if a similar event unfolded today. Obviously being a parent changes your perspective in cases like this!
Anyway, Jessica is a mother herself now and seems to be doing just fine. She avoids the media spotlight for the most part, but has given a couple of interviews in the past few years.
Good to see she’s making it through!