Baby C was a few weeks old when he was abandoned with multiple health concerns. He was taken to the hospital for a short period in order to stabilize him and run further diagnostics. The doctors soon realized that he had severe brain damage and epilepsy. He was unable to eat on his own and would require skilled care. His orphanage asked us if we would be able to accept him in our project for palliative care.
When we welcomed little C, we knew he would probably never walk or talk or learn any of the things a normally developing child would do. Despite this, his nannies worked hard to provide him with the same loving interactions and high standard of care as the other children in his baby room. He was treated with dignity because of who he was, and not what he was able to do or achieve.
C spent over 5 years in our care, and his condition continued to deteriorate as time went on. His seizures became more intense. He developed breathing difficulties and he began to require oxygen more frequently.
He was also admitted to the hospital several times last year, though the doctors cautioned us that there really wasn’t much they could do for him except stabilize him enough to return home again… and again. Finally, during his last hospitalization a few weeks ago he passed away.
We wish that we could have changed the ending of his story, but we are glad to have had those 5 years with him. He will be missed by all who loved and cared for him!
