Baby Emilio

[Lady Macbeth]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/04/25/baby.emilio/index.html

I am interested to see what people here think of this.  It is a tragic situation all around.

Personally, I think if it were my child I would have pulled him off the ventilator long ago.  That's no way for any creature to live.  (and I don't quite get the mother's argument that she wants him to die 'naturally', by keeping him on a ventilator).  Of course I am childless so my view might change if I had a kid.

On the other hand, I do also think it is the parents' decision.  As the doctor in the article said, I disagree with the decision but I agree that the boy's mother has the right to make whatever choice she wants.  I would like to believe that the hospital truly has the kid's interests in mind, but you know healthcare...

Anyway, everyone let me know what you think.  But be nice please!

[snarg2001]

As I understand it there is no cure for this disease and it will target and ravage the central nervous system. If all his systems start shutting down one by one, then I would hope that  someone might be able to point out to the parents that if all his systems are shutting down due to this disease then the only prognosis would be death. We all die eventually--it seems to me that right now the quality of life is limited to the ventilator. If neurologically there is advancement as Emilio ages where he might one day become aware of surroundings, then I would  agree with his mom to continue treatment. Its hard for me to blatantly say "there is no hope" for some people have an abundance of it ---I might side with the mom at this point in time until there would be some hard and fast evidence that all brain activity has ceased. There are no absolutes in the human race, unfortunately.

[Gaelin]

That poor child, and worse off that his mom is delusional.