Jahi McMath

 

Jahi McMath is a thirteen year old girl.  I'm sure you've all heard of her by now.  On December 9, 2013, she went in for a routine tonsillectomy surgery. Shorty after, she began bleeding from the mouth and nose. She ended up going into cardiac arrest and was ultimately declared brain dead.

So begins the saga of the McMath nightmare. First, there's the fact that the young girl had made ominous comments claiming that she didn't want the surgery because she was afraid that she 'wouldn't wake up'. I can not imagine the guilt this family feels when they remember those prophetic words. The family, ridden by grief and guilt, during a season of celebration and joy, refuse to accept that the child is dead. So far, the girl has escaped her death sentence, with the family going to court and filing motions to keep the doctors that cost the child her life, from taking her off of life support. The first order gave them until after Christmas. Today, at 5:00 pm (8:00pm ET) Jahi was to be disconnected from the machines that are keeping her blood flowing, her heart beating, and her body warm to the touch. All things that her mother says proves her baby is alive, despite countless tests pointing to the contrary. She claims that Jahi moves and responds to her voice. Doctors claim that this is a normal reaction when a person is on life support and is not a sign of life.

The court has given the family until January 7, 2014 at 5:00pm to either find another facility willing to take Jahi in, or removing her from life support.  The debate here has become whether it is the hospital or the parent that should decide when a child is to be removed from the machines that are giving them life.  Imagine someone telling you the exact day and time that your baby will be taken from you. After all, this is a mother that whole heartedly believes her daughter is still alive.

This story is so tragic. How do you tell a mother that her baby is dead after a routine procedure?  I was one of the people that prayed that they would keep little Jahi on life support until after the holiday. I prayed for a Christmas miracle. Unfortunately, one never came. Being an outsider, I clearly understand that Jahi has passed. As a grieving family member, clinging to any and all hope, I'm not sure I'd see it the same way, however.

I'm not sure what the outcome is going to be here but one thing is certain, this poor family has got a long, hard road ahead of them. They are currently raising money to have Jahi moved to a different facility (no word yet if one will even accept her). If you want to help, you can find them on GoFundMe.com.   I will see if I can find a link to it.

What do you think should happen here?  Who should have the final say on when Jahi is taken off of life support? 

Please pray for this family and hold your babies close.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/12/30/family-california-teen-declared-brain-dead-says-ny-facility-is-last-last-hope/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/jahi-mcmath-could-be-removed-from-life-support-despite-familys-wishes/2013/12/30/41f122f4-7191-11e3-8def-a33011492df2_story.html

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/29/22095281-jahi-mcmath-new-york-facility-is-last-hope-for-girl-declared-brain-dead-family-say?lite

http://www.gofundme.com/Jahi-Mcmath