KSLA Wins 1st Place Best Feature in the 2008 LAPBA Awards - KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana News Weather & Sports

KSLA News 12 won 1st place in the 2008 Louisiana Associated Press Broadcasters Association (LAPBA) television contests.  Our special report, "Parting the Waters:  For Jacob" won in the "Best Feature" category beating out stories from stations across the state in the Class A division.

Saturday, at the LAPBA awards banquet ceremony in Baton Rouge, KSLA news 12 anchor Pat Simon, producer Allison Landry, along with video journalists Andy Clark and Scott Pace, were recognized for their work on the story.  

"Parting the Waters:  For Jacob" is about one Ark-La-Tex family who gives thanks for a deeply emotional path that they were forced to take when tragedy struck their lives. It's an inspiring story, especially for anyone whose life didn't quite turn out the way they expected.

Pat, who is currently serving with the National Guard in Iraq says, "I wish I was there to accept the award. It is truly an honor to win in this category especially among some of the most talented journalists around. Most importantly, I want to send my heartfelt thanks to the Damoff family for sharing their home and hearts with us. Jacob is a special young man who has touched a community, and now hopefully his story has touched you as well."

You can keep up with Pat while he continues his tour of duty through our web page dedicated to him, From the Frontlines.

Here is the original web version of the story "Parting the Waters:  For Jacob."

By Pat Simon and Allison Landry

Jacob Damoff had everything a teenager could want. He had close friends and a great family. Jacob was one of the most adventurous kids you could ever meet, and he inspired all of his peers.

Jacob was also an excellent swimmer, and he looked forward to a class canoe trip on Caddo Lake on the last day of school.

Then tragedy struck.

Jacob and his friend Jeremy Maxey plunged into a deep underwater hole. Jeremy died. Doctors thought Jacob wouldn't make it either since he had been under water for as long as 15 minutes.

The Jacob that everyone knew died on that spring day in 1996. The pain for Jacob's family was deeper than the depths of any body of water and enough to test any parent, even his mother who was a bible school teacher.

"Okay, if I believe there's a good God who loves my son and he is God. He's in control. Why would this happen?", said Jacob's mother Jeanne.

The emotionally broken family prayed like never before.

"I remember feeling very numb," recalls Jacob's father George.

All they could do was wait and pray. Then gradually, their prayers were answered.

Jacob was back.

Family doctor Orin Littlejohn remembers that day clearly.

"Doctors can treat", said Littlejohn, "but God is the ultimate one that heals and he healed Jacob."

Jacob was different however. Brain damage stole the life of young Jacob, the teenager with so many dreams.

The amazing thing that happened next was more than what the Damoff family had hoped for.

Their son was already giving them a gift that they didn't even expect.

Jacob's inspiration rippled from the once troubled waters of Caddo Lake, and it spread throughout the entire community of Marshall, Texas.

Because of Jacob's strength and determination to live, the whole community, many that the family didn't even know, rallied around Jacob's torn family.

Family friend Allan Thompson remembers, "There is a joy about that young man (Jacob) that is very special," said Thompson.

Twelve years after the accident, the Damoffs returned to Caddo Lake. Although some emotional scars remain, they say they're actually happy to have made this journey for Jacob.

"My request to God is that he will accomplish everything he's intended in the ripples that nothing will be left undone," said Jeanne.

Jeanne has written a book about her family's recovery after Jacob's accident.  Copies of Jeanne's book, Parting the Waters:  Beauty in Brokeness, is available at area book stores for $10.  You can find them at Prospero's Books in Marshall,TX.  You can also order a copy online at amazon.com. 

For more information about Jeanne Damoff's book and other publications, you can go to www.jeannedamoff.com