FOX CROSSING, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Rachel Bernhardt holds a piglet stuffed animal in her hands and near her heart. It’s a piece of her son, Jacob “Kobi.”
“He was a really loving little boy. He had his little quirks — he was a dual diagnosis. He had down syndrome and autism, but you know we had a lot of hopes for him because he had overcome so many boundaries for himself.”
In Kobi’s 18 years, he overcame heart, lung and hearing problems. Two weeks ago, Kobi became ill.
“He got sick with pneumonia. They thought it was bacterial pneumonia and they were treating him for that, and his symptoms worsened. We rushed him to the hospital and they said he’s really sick,” Kobi’s father Tom Bernhardt said.
Kobi had viral pneumonia. He went into cardiac arrest which led to brain damage. Kobi died on December 26.
Now, Kobi has given the gift of life. His liver and kidneys were donated to patients in need of a second chance at life.
“On Friday, they told me that his kidneys saved two other lives, that they went outside of the hospital. He’s my hero.”
Rachel tells FOX 11 Kobi’s spirit carries on in the three lives that he saved.
“It just took the perspective that when I was really, really hurting and grieving, and saying why did this happen… then I knew that God had that plan for him since he was born. And it means a lot to me.”
Kobi’s mark on the world and people he touched is undeniable. His family will be throwing a party in honor of his life on January 5 at Greene’s Pour House in Neenah. It will be in the upstairs space from 12-4 p.m.
They invite the community to attend a celebration of Kobi’s life at Apostolic Truth Church in Appleton on January 11. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m.
You can find a fundraiser for Kobi’s memorial here.
Kobi’s mother says her son was at risk for being sick because he only had one lung — but she urges other parents to be mindful of the flu, RSV, and pneumonia.
