99 Ballons

I just saw the video of Eliot, a baby who was diagnosed of Trisomy 18 or Edward's syndrome and is unlikely to live when born. ****Infants born with Edwards syndrome may have some or all of the following characteristics: kidney malformations, structural heart defects at birth (i.e., ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus), intestines protruding outside the body (omphalocele), esophageal atresia, mental retardation, developmental delays, growth deficiency, feeding difficulties, breathing difficulties, and arthrogryposis (a muscle disorder that causes multiple joint contractures at birth).[8][9] Some physical malformations associated with Edwards syndrome include: a small head (microcephaly) accompanied by a prominent back portion of the head (occiput), low-set, malformed ears, abnormally small jaw (micrognathia), cleft lip/cleft palate, upturned nose, narrow eyelid folds (palpebral fissures), widely-spaced eyes (ocular hypertelorism), drooping of the upper eyelids (ptosis), a short breast bone, clenched hands, underdeveloped thumbs and or nails, absent radius, webbing of the second and third toes, clubfoot or Rocker bottom feet, and undescended testicles in males.[8][9]*** Eliot lived for 99 days... I greatly admired his parents for not actually giving up. They lived each day solely for that day and not thinking about tomorrow or whatever it is coming. They celebrated everyday as his birthday. Watching it brought tears in my eyes. I may not understand exactly how they feel but I can see that they feel blessed for having Eliot for 99 days when they were told they wouldn't.