Avery's Tragedy
This story is inspiring millions around the world. Read on :)
Avery's tragedy: baby whose bucket list was read by millions around the world dies
02 May, 2012 03:40 PM
Even in her final moments Avery Canahuati was smiling.
Keeping a smile on her face despite suffering from a genetic disorder was one of many things she achieved in just five months of life, inspiring people around the world.
Texas couple Laura and Michael Canahuati compiled a "bucket list" for their daughter, who was born in November and diagnosed last month with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type one, after finding out she had months to live.
The list was posted on a blog and a Facebook page and her story went viral, attracting widespread media attention and millions of readers.
Her bucket list included things like going to her first baseball game, waking up smiling, eating a cupcake and wearing a giant bow.
During the project to raise awareness about SMA, which was started only four weeks ago, she even received a card from President Barack Obama, along with a picture of the first family.
Mr Canahuati updated the blog overnight, saying Avery died on Monday afternoon, local time, after one of her lungs collapsed and she went into cardiac arrest.
"I immediately performed CPR on her and was able to bring her back to life, but only for a brief period of time before she passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital," he wrote.
"Avery's passing this quickly came as a complete shock to all of us, as she had just been given a thumbs up at her last doctors appointment only three days ago.
"While we were aware of the severity of her diagnosis, we never lost hope for Avery and even in her passing, we still have hope for our daughter and all of her friends."
He also posted a photograph of Avery which he said was taken about 20 minutes before she fell ill.
"She was sitting on her mommy's lap looking at me and all it took to get her to smile this big was for me to keep saying 'Hi'."
Mr Canahuati also wrote the final items on the bucket list, including "not let SMA take my smile away".
The blog was written in Avery's voice and encouraged followers to donate to SMA research in a bid to reach at least $US1 million.
http://sl.farmonline.com.au/news/world/world/general/averys-tragedy-baby...
All I can comfort myself with is with the thought that no matter how much pain the little one endured whilst alive, she is now in a better and more peaceful place than any of us are.
I think being given babies like this can be so harrowing and trialing on parents, hence I hope through this tragedy they somehow find all the strength, relief, hope and ease to get them through this all.
@MM: Someone once said that becoming a mom means every time you hear of some pain or trial a child somewhere is experiencing, you will still somehow feel like it's your own. Before having my girly I used to be a real toughie in comparison to now. Now I have to only hear of such stories and I can cry buckets =((
FS - You are right. There are people willing to give up their right hand to have one.
Alien.. not everyone who tries will get a baby!!
God does not Give babies...... We make babies
Such a sad news...She is sooo cute......Why is God giving babies if he want to take them away..:(
What a rush it is TB!
being a father, I am always thankful to have healthy children...I cannot imagine about the parents having special children...how they coup with it?
heart-wrenching story :(
I'm not depressed, I just get teary easily. Especially when I read about babies getting hurt or dying. Think my hormones are still settling. :)
Oh I know TB. It's just my emotions are still all over the place, even though it's been 4 months since I had my baby. I cry now whenever I read anything bad happening to babies and children.
Ahhh! I can't read this! I've already been trying to hold back tears all morning! This just breaks my heart :(