Have a tissue handy...

[BRWombat]

From MousePlanet:

[indent]Sandie's Story

My son, Larry, and his wife, Kerry, live in Florida. They have season passes to Walt Disney World and have taken their two children, Michael, 3 and Emily, 1, weekly! They had an addition to their family on Dec. 14, 2006. Another little girl they named, Abigail. They knew from the fourth month of the pregnancy that little Abigail would not survive and perhaps would not even survive her birth.

Much to the surprise of all, little Abigail came into the world weighing 3 pounds, 9 ounces. Her little brain did not divide and develop properly plus she had many other defects. However, she was able to breathe on her own and her parents brought her home on the third day. We all visited with her. We held her and loved her. She never opened her eyes. She never cried.

On December 28, Larry came home from work and announced that they were all to get into the car to take their precious Abigail to the Magic Kingdom. At this time, she only weighed 2 pounds, 9 ounces as she was unable to receive any nourishment. All her parents could do was wet her tiny lips with water.

They took the 30-minute ride from Apopka to Orlando and entered the park. While watching the parade on Main Street, they were approached by a woman who had become very interested in the tiny package wrapped in a white blanket, held by Kerry. Kerry usually doesn't converse with "strangers" when out with the children but she was quite comfortable talking with this woman.

This woman was wearing a uniform and told them she worked for Disney. Kerry explained to the woman who asked what this tiny baby was doing out of the hospital. Kerry explained that Abigail was terminal and they had brought her for a day at Disney. This woman then left for a few minutes and came back with stuffed animals for the children. She also guided them to the front of the lines at the various rides. And then, she was gone.

Larry, Kerry and the three children left the park after a while, and rode home for baths and dinner. Little Abigail was placed in her little bed and within an hour of returning from the Magic Kingdom, she left this world for a much greater place.

I would like to thank this "stranger" if indeed she was working for Disney (maybe she was an angel). She was kind and loving. My children will never forget the day they took Abigail to the Magic Kingdom for her first and last time.[/indent]

[KidAtHeart]

Have a tissue handy is right. That is an absolutely heart warming, and heart breaking, story. Thanks for sharing.

[Big Wallaby]

Wow. Can't think of anything else to say but, "Wow." <sniff, sniff>

[ktulu]

Dangit Wombat, I'm at work... :(

[mechurchlady]

That is so touching. I need my wallaby snug toy now.

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm sorry but I think that Mouseplanet has been duped and this story cannot be true.

First of all there cannot be sufficient development by the 4th month of pregnancy to be able to tell that a fetus may not survive.

The article gives a birth weight of 3/9 and a weight two weeks later of 2/9, which is a loss of one pound which is over 1/4 of the birth weight.

I cannot think of any hospital anywhere that would have allowed an infant of such low body weight, and who could not take nourishment, to be released.

Also, if it was true I'm sure there would have been articles about it in the Sentinel.

[mechurchlady]

Cheshire as a moderator you must have seen fake stories before and I was suspicious but it is a sweet story. I now see the inconsistencies you are seeing.

[BRWombat]

You all may be right. Normally I'm not the kind to be suckered by a sob story -- I'm usually the guy that checks out stuff on Snopes.com and discredits them.

Ah, well. I'm still tempted to believe it was possible -- after all, this was the grandfather writing, and if he's like my dad, he doesn't let little things like facts or details get in the way of a good story. (Come to think of it, it's usually my dad's emails that I'm checking out on Snopes. :p: )

[Main Streeter]

I'm sorry but I think that Mouseplanet has been duped and this story cannot be true.
I cannot think of any hospital anywhere that would have allowed an infant of such low body weight, and who could not take nourishment, to be released.

Will agree with you Cheshire. In. CA. & AZ. no child is released from a hosp. after birth weighing less than 5 lbs. & must be in good health. What parent would ever take a 2.9lb. infant who is at high risk out, especially to a park where there are thousands of guests & a gazillion germs? A SG would, but this sounds like an urban legend ready to take flight.

[vixen101485]

Ah, well. I'm still tempted to believe it was possible -- after all, this was the grandfather writing, and if he's like my dad, he doesn't let little things like facts or details get in the way of a good story. (Come to think of it, it's usually my dad's emails that I'm checking out on Snopes. :p: )

LOL....your dad and my BF's dad must be related. Dont know how many times I have linked him to the snopes article on an email he has sent us. LOL

I read the story earlier and was headed out to grocery shop so didnt get a chance to respond. My honest to gosh opinion of it at the time. Made me tear up, but sounded off in a way. Wasnt sure how,but just, something. I do have to admit that after reading some of the responses on here, I have to agree. No way a hospital is gonna let a baby who is that weight out. At least not without months of legal paperwork. I think what bothered me was that the child couldnt eat and was losing weight. I was wondering why they didnt have her on some sort of IV type feeding or a feeding tube.