Mom carrying baby without brain to term - to donate the organs

[sl8]

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/health/father-letter-baby-tribute-trnd/index.html

Mom carrying baby without brain to term - to donate the organs
By Ali Larkin, CNN
Updated 12:28 PM ET, Thu February 23, 2017

(CNN)When Keri Young found out her unborn child didn't have a brain, she made an unthinkably selfless decision. She decided to carry Eva to term to donate the organs to other babies in need.

Young's wrenching story broke hearts when her husband Royce Young, a writer for ESPN, posted an emotional letter praising her brave decision.

"It would just be irresponsible to take the gifts that Eva has and not share them with others," Royce Young told CNN about his wife's decision.

...

[phylny]

1. Brave and selfless, and her CHOICE (yes, I'm pro-choice).

I hope she is okay medically through it all.

[Bettie]

2. That is a beautiful thing she is doing

I'm glad she and other women have the ability to make a choice rather than have one imposed upon them.

I hope she does OK in the rest of the pregnancy and that this helps her through what are going to be very dark days.

[Wounded Bear]

3. Wow....

that is just amazing selflessness.

[Chemisse]

4. What an amazing thing to do.

I don't think I could be so courageous in the face of ongoing, crushing grief.

[ProudLib72]

5. There is a support page

for parents of anencephalic babies. It is a terrible condition. Some babies make it a few weeks, even up to a year. It's really just pitiful.

[LisaL]

9. Could be years.

There is one child who lived to be 12. He had a brain stem but no brain.

[sl8]

12. Is this the site you're thinking of?

http://www.anencephaly.info/e/index.php

More here:
http://www.anencephaly.net

[ProudLib72]

16. Might be

I found it a couple of years ago after watching a news story about a family with an anencephalic baby. I got curious as to how parents react to raising these children. I cannot see how a parent could go through raising an anencephalic child, day after day, for who knows how long until they pass away. I could never cope with it. But, in the end, I suppose you have to look at the child's quality of life. If they are "happy" and get to experience some living, maybe it's worth it.

[sarah FAILIN]

13. Someone commenting on another article said their relative lived 7 years

That has got to be painful to have the end drawn out so long with a child that is only living and breathing. The brain stem being there keeps the core functions going from what I understand. This is horrible to say, but I hope the end is fast. Prayers for her.

[LisaL]

14. I don't think it's a horrible thing to say at all.

If this fetus has a brain stem but no higher brain, she can survive for years and years.

[Ilsa]

15. A parent's life, or both parents' lives, are put on hold when

They have a child with such a grave disability. I hope the birth and this works out as she hopes at this point. Life takes courage, and she has that and a huge heart.

[McCamy Taylor]

6. K and r

[sammythecat]

7. This story and her husband's letter

really moved me. He truly is a lucky man. What an incredible woman.

[brer cat]

8. K&R

[frankieallen]

10. Wow, just wow.

Awesome story

[RedWedge]

11. This is beautiful only because she has a choice. This is what choice is, and why I'm pro-choice.