Boy lived for 100 minutes becomes UK's youngest organ donor
Discussion
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/apr/23/boy...
What a terribly sad thing. I am unsure that I agree with the decision of the parents to take a child to term when he could not have survived. However watching them I question my position to judge, and he has let another person live.
What a terribly sad thing. I am unsure that I agree with the decision of the parents to take a child to term when he could not have survived. However watching them I question my position to judge, and he has let another person live.
0a said:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/apr/23/boy...
What a terribly sad thing. I am unsure that I agree with the decision of the parents to take a child to term when he could not have survived. However watching them I question my position to judge, and he has let another person live.
Aborting the unhealthy foetus could increase the risk of the healthy foetus dying too. I imagine that played a part in the parents decision.What a terribly sad thing. I am unsure that I agree with the decision of the parents to take a child to term when he could not have survived. However watching them I question my position to judge, and he has let another person live.
But yes what a sad, yet incredible, story.
0a said:
I am unsure that I agree with the decision of the parents to take a child to term when he could not have survived.
One of ours had the same condition and we made the decision not to go full term. Tough times.We were later told that folic acid supplements can reduce the risk so the Mrs was dosed up and a subsequent pregnancy was OK.
I think the parents did what they felt was right and I applaud their decision to do so. They got nothing from this but gave a chance of life to another person as a result.
As a donor card carrying person I hope I never do get the opportunity to donate, but in the event of an untimely death I would hope that someone other than the tax man would benefit.
As a donor card carrying person I hope I never do get the opportunity to donate, but in the event of an untimely death I would hope that someone other than the tax man would benefit.
This is a story I found real difficulty in even imagining what the parents went through, They showed great courage to make sure that at least one child lived as it was said if they aborted it would risk the 2nd child. Then they made the choice to be able to give someone else a chance in life which they may have not got. As a father my self and very nearly losing my daughter at a early stage I agree what they have done.
Galsia said:
The child didn't have a functional brain so would not have had any awareness. In the circumstances the parent's decision to harvest his organs was the right one and I applaud their dignity and courage.
Agreed. He gave more after 100 minutes than some can hope to in a lifetime. Hopefully that will be of some comfort to the brave parents.Thank you for pointing out he risk to the other child - this was an aspect I had missed. I hope I never have to face such a decision or situation.
From what I understand from the news the kidneys went to an adult, and grew to cope with an adult body within a few weeks. Medicine is quite remarkable sometimes.
From what I understand from the news the kidneys went to an adult, and grew to cope with an adult body within a few weeks. Medicine is quite remarkable sometimes.
0a said:
Thank you for pointing out he risk to the other child - this was an aspect I had missed. I hope I never have to face such a decision or situation.
From what I understand from the news the kidneys went to an adult, and grew to cope with an adult body within a few weeks. Medicine is quite remarkable sometimes.
Not sure its quite that black and white. It would be quite difficult to assess the greatest risk to the other sibling. Either leaving the chidl to term, or aborting early.From what I understand from the news the kidneys went to an adult, and grew to cope with an adult body within a few weeks. Medicine is quite remarkable sometimes.
I think the risk would be assessed on a case by case basis and not always in favour of keeping the child to term.
Galsia said:
The child didn't have a functional brain so would not have had any awareness. In the circumstances the parent's decision to harvest his organs was the right one and I applaud their dignity and courage.
Ah - you're mistaken twice there. Children with similarly small/deformed brains who live for longer - usually because their brain isn't as exposed as this little lad's was - absolutely are conscious and responsive albeit obviously very profoundly disabled. Baby Teddy wasn't brain dead; his organs were donated after he died (heart stopped) so not 'harvesting organs' as with brain death.
In this bloody awful situation the parents had the choice of meeting him briefly, being able to know him and show him their love, and then having to say goodbye (and then be able to save other lives on his way), or just 'goodbye' and nothing else.
Having stared into the abyss with my little girl (I'm adopting) I know I'd rather have known her than not, and that's really all there is to it for me.
Awesome story of bravery from everyone involved. This is exactly why I carry a donor card, and think that the default situation should be donation with a "non-donor" card for those that have objections for whatever reasons.
In this case, someone else lives.
For all we know the person that has been granted life by the kindness of others might discover a cure for their own, or the donor's disease.
In this case, someone else lives.
For all we know the person that has been granted life by the kindness of others might discover a cure for their own, or the donor's disease.
55palfers said:
I'm a believer in by not carrying a donor card (unless you have a specific medical condition)you rule yourself ineligible for transplant surgery.
I've tried to argue against this with so many people, so many times. I have convinced nobody. So I conclude its one of those "Marmite" positions one holds.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff