A moment as hard as the last moments of a child's life is a pain that is usually lived in intimacy. But despite the deep anguish they were going through, Kristi and Justin Rogers they wanted to share it for a greater cause: raise awareness about organ donation so that other families do not have to go through the same.
On January 26, his two-year-old daughter Adalynn Grace died due to complications from a congenital heart defect with which she was born, while waiting to receive a heart transplant that never came.
The cardiac malformation was detected with 32 weeks of gestation: one of the chambers of the heart, the left, had not developed and was not able to pump the blood correctly.
Two days after birth, Adalynn underwent her first heart surgery, and five months later, the second. Meanwhile, he survived with a mechanical pump implanted inside the chest and periodic exams every four or six months.
But in November she suffered a serious heart failure, and doctors warned them that the girl I would need a heart transplant to survive. Unfortunately however the heart did not arrive on time; the failure caused severe brain damage due to lack of oxygen.
Once they decided to withdraw the life support, the parents asked the photographer Suha Dabit to hold a photo session at the suggestion of a social worker. Coincidentally, Suha is the mother of a girl who received a heart transplant and the founder of World of Broken Hearts.
"When we asked for the photographs to be taken, it was not with the idea of sharing them, but in order to remember the last moments of our daughter. But later we thought that she could help more people."They do it with the conviction that by sharing their loss, they will make the condition that took their daughter's life more visible and raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.
They wanted to document the girl's final moments, while the couple and their other three children (aged seven and five and a baby born this year) said goodbye to her. A sad and touching story With a powerful message of solidarity.
Organ donation
Precisely this week we knew the decision of Holland to convert all its citizens over 18 years into organ donors, unless they leave in writing otherwise.
The news raised a stir and several put their hands to their heads, but although many do not know, in Spain the same thing happens. In our country, world leader in organ donation, the law makes it clear: we are all organ donors, unless we express otherwise expressly and in writing. But nevertheless, in practice it is voluntary, since the family members are asked (in the case of minors, the parents), who if opposed, the donation would be without effect.
The legislation is not solely responsible for Spain taking 26 years to the head in donations. Citizens' solidarity is key in the process and has contributed greatly to the fact that in the last three years there has been the largest increase in donations in history, with a rise of 30%.
Organ donation is one of the greatest examples of generosity there may be, especially when there are babies or children involved. We cannot help remembering the precious gesture of a mother who decided to give birth to her baby with anencephaly to donate her organs, who knowing that she would not survive decided to continue the pregnancy to donate her baby's organs when she was born.
Photos | Word of broken Hearts (Reproduced with permission)
Via | Today Parents
In Babies and more | They perform in Spain the first heart transplant to a five-month-old baby with incompatible blood groups, The best Christmas gift: receive a new heart and become the smallest transplanted baby in the European Union
