Mother Loses Legs Saving Her Kids From Tornado

The death and destruction left behind by tornadoes that tore through the nation last week have saddened us all. We are hearing of many stories of heroism, sacrifice and survival. One of these comes from Indiana.

37-year-old Stephanie Decker was at home with her two children when the house began to shake. The Guardian  reports she wrapped her eight-year-old son and five-year-old daughter in a blanket, and then tied it around herself. She threw herself on top of the kids in their basement as the tornado passed over and destroyed the house completely.

When it was over, she cried out to her children. First her daughter responded, and then her son. Debris had fallen on Stephanie's legs, and she was losing blood. The boy was able to run to a neighbor.  The neighbor called for help, and a deputy arrived to apply tourniquets.

Stephanie lost parts of both legs, but her husband (who is a school teacher, and was at school) is certain she is the reason their two children are alive.  Such a moving story of a mother's love, heroism and sacrifice.  Watch the video at  ABC News.