http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040623_941.html
I read this sad story about this kid, Mattie, and his fight against MD. I think I saw him on Oprah or somesuch, reading his poetry. He was a very sweet kid, and extemely optimistic. I’d never heard of this rare form of the disease.
The fact that his entire family has died or is dying from it is just heartbreaking. I’ll never understand how people get through that kind of pain.
Yes, it is quite tragic that the disease has taken such a toll on that family. It certainly puts a lot of problems into perspective when you see what a terrible burden some people have to live with.
Definitely misfortunate and lamentable. Some people will hate me for saying this, but I have to wonder what the couple was doing having four kids when each one of them had the disease and died at an early age.
Well, I kind of wondered that myself, but maybe the symptoms didn’t show up right away? Also, some people feel that a disability such as this doesn’t mean that the person can’t be productive and loved (as this little guy proved). Some people are cut out for caring for disabled people. I just saw a thing on Sundance about a woman who adopted like a dozen special needs kids. They were as happy and fulfilled as a family can be. Sometimes it just goes that way.
I certainly feel bad for the kid, but his poetry goes way past cheesy and into grotesque. Don’t worry, though, he sells a ton of books (he has at least 10 volumes).
I’ve read one of Mattie’s books. He was so insightful and compassionate.
MD doesn’t always effect whole families, so maybe the parents didn’t think their bad luck would be so overwhelming. Besides, if they had stopped after the first, the world would have been deprived of a wonderful poet.
Mattie had a handle on his own mortality, which few of us are lucky enough to have. Even though he wanted to live, I’m quite sure he died with a dignity few people could hope for.
The world is a bit poorer today.
Sleep well, little prince.