theIndusParent Logo
theIndusParent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Fertility & Conception
    • First Trimester
    • Second Trimester
    • Third Trimester
    • Labour & Delivery
    • Post-delivery Care
    • Miscarriage
    • 9 Months
  • Baby
    • Development
    • Breastfeeding
    • Weaning
    • Health
    • Behaviour
    • Gear & Wear
    • Baby Names
    • Nine Months-0 to 1
  • Toddler
    • Development
    • Health
    • Behaviour
    • Life Skills
    • Trendy Wear
    • 9 Months Season 3: Toddler Years
  • Pre-teen
    • Development
    • Health
    • Education
    • Behaviour
    • Lifeskills
    • Fashion
  • Mums
    • Awesome Working Mums
    • Celeb Mums
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Sex
    • Labour Story
  • Health
    • Nutrition
    • Fitness
    • Home Remedies
    • Chakra Healing
    • Experts' Corner
  • Family & Leisure
    • Relationships
    • For Dads
    • Essential Life Tips
    • Money
    • Recipes
    • Celebrations
    • Travel
    • Vastu
    • Astrology
    • Baby Photos
    • Video
    • Events & Workshops
    • Review
    • Contest
  • हिंदी
  • தமிழ்
  • বাংলা
  • Video

The story behind the man sobbing over his dying grandchild will break your heart

4 min read
The story behind the man sobbing over his dying grandchild will break your heartThe story behind the man sobbing over his dying grandchild will break your heart

In the viral photo, a dad who suffers from ALS is unable to speak, but simply sobs beside his 5-year-old daughter, who is fighting for her life

Mums and dads, cherish each moment because life can change in an instant. For Ally and Andrew Parker, life took a sudden heartbreaking turn when their five-year-old daughter Braylynn was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). This is one of the most severe forms of childhood cancer.

Braylynn was diagnosed during last December’s holidays. A month later, her condition continues to deteriorate.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

Image source: Ally Parker’s Facebook account

Braylynn’s battle with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

Shortly after Braylynn’s parents managed to get financial help for an experimental treatment, her condition quickly worsened.

Her tumour had started to bleed, and doctors had to break the sad news that Braylynn could pass away at any time.

Heartbroken, Braylynn’s mum Ally took to Facebook on January 8 and wrote:

“Today will be the worst day of my life so far, and in less than a week, I will have a day that is even more terrible. Today is the day that everyone will have to say their final goodbyes, to a FIVE year old,” wrote Ally. “This should never happen to anyone. There is no one in this world who is evil enough to deserve to feel what I am currently feeling.”

Braylynn’s battle gained social media attention after a heart-wrenching photo of her 49-year-old granddad Sean, weeping uncontrollably by her side, went viral. He can no longer speak because of his struggle with ALS.

“In a few days I will have to bury this beautiful little girl. Months, maybe even weeks, later, I will have to bury my father,” Ally wrote on January 9 in a painful post. “Both of my heroes, gone, within the same year.”

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

Image source: Ally Parker’s Facebook account

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG): Severe brain cancer that strikes kids aged 5 to 9

Around 175,000-250,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Though 70% of modern-day childhood cancer is “curable,” there are those that cannot be treated, like the inoperable tumour that results from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

DIPG involves brain tumours that are highly aggressive in nature. They affect the part of the brainstem responsible for vital bodily functions, like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

About 300 children between the ages of five and nine are stricken with this condition each year, says Boston Children’s Hospital.

Braylynn’s mum Ally still hopes that there will one day be a cure for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

“My baby girl deserves to live a full, happy life, and so does every other child who has had to face DIPG. We have to put an end to this,” urges Ally.

She hopes “no more kids can get this disease and be allowed to die from it.”

“We HAVE to find a cure, not a damn band aid,” she laments. “These kids deserve so much more than that, someday soon someone needs to find out what that cure is.”

Sadly, there is not enough funding for childhood cancer research and treatment worldwide.

As of this writing, Braylynn continues to fight for her life.

Braylynn’s family has set up a Facebook page called Braylynn’s Batallion, where you can show your support.

“Braylynn and our family can feel your love and prayers coming in from all over the world. At this time, we want to spend every moment with our precious warrior princess. Thank you for your love and prayers for our sweet baby girl,” reads a status update on the Braylynn’s Batallion page.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

Image source: Ally Parker’s Facebook account

Our hearts go out to Braylynn’s family during this difficult time. May they continue to stay strong.

Sources: USA Today, Childhood Cancer International

READ THIS ALSO: Childhood cancer in Singapore on the rise! Why?

Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore

 

Partner Stories
How to get rid of your stretch marks?
How to get rid of your stretch marks?
How to protect your child from flu?
How to protect your child from flu?
Experts talk about foods to eat after childbirth
Experts talk about foods to eat after childbirth
Man's bowels fall out after sitting on toilet for too long
Man's bowels fall out after sitting on toilet for too long

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

  • Home
  • /
  • Health & Wellness
  • /
  • The story behind the man sobbing over his dying grandchild will break your heart
Share:
  • Congenital Hearing Loss – Timely Detection Helps In Early Treatment

    Congenital Hearing Loss – Timely Detection Helps In Early Treatment

  • Preventing Pneumonia Among Kids – Understanding The Symptoms Is Key

    Preventing Pneumonia Among Kids – Understanding The Symptoms Is Key

  • Does Your Child Have Allergic Rhinitis? Here Are The Symptoms

    Does Your Child Have Allergic Rhinitis? Here Are The Symptoms

app info
get app banner
  • Congenital Hearing Loss – Timely Detection Helps In Early Treatment

    Congenital Hearing Loss – Timely Detection Helps In Early Treatment

  • Preventing Pneumonia Among Kids – Understanding The Symptoms Is Key

    Preventing Pneumonia Among Kids – Understanding The Symptoms Is Key

  • Does Your Child Have Allergic Rhinitis? Here Are The Symptoms

    Does Your Child Have Allergic Rhinitis? Here Are The Symptoms

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Ages + Stages
    • Baby
    • Baby Concerns
    • Baby Development
    • Baby Formula Feeding
    • Baby health
    • Baby Milestones
    • Breastfeeding
  • Family Life
    • Family & Leisure
    • Essential Tips
    • Family Fun
    • Events
    • For Dads
    • For Mum and Dad
  • Health & Wellness
    • India
    • International
    • Lifestyle
    • Kid's Entertainment
    • Indoor
    • Learning Activities
  • Toddler
    • Toddler Behaviour
    • Toddler Development
    • Toddler Discipline
    • Toddler Education
    • Toddler Health
    • Toddler Life Skills
  • Gallery
    • News
    • Celebrity
    • Features
    • Bollywood
    • Video
    • Marriage
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it