Thursday, May 19, 2011

"none of us knows when we are going to die"

On April 25th, Alaina Giordano lost custody of her children. A North Carolina judge ruled that her two kids need to move to Chicago to live with Giordano's ex-husband. She based this decision, in large part, on the fact that Giordano has Stage 4 breast cancer.


I can't be articulate about this story, except to say that I work very hard to make sure that my kids will be all right- no matter what happens. I wish I could protect them and all those who love me from the realities of cancer. But do I think that cancer makes me a less fit parent?

Not on your life.

Want to read more?

I first read about this on BlogHer, where Jenna argued very articulately that anyone who has ever been ill or ever might be should care about this story and the frightening precedent it has set.

My friend Judy (from Mothers With Cancer) wrote a beautiful response called "We Are All Terminal." 

You can read Alaina's own words on her blog, Beauty in Truth.

I couldn't find a single post or comment by anyone who agreed with the judge's ruling.

For that, I'm grateful.

7 comments:

Coach Angela Ross said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Coach Angela Ross said...

when i saw this story last week, it broke my heart. like you, i have no words for this, just pain for that mom, and her babies.

on another note... i think of you often, and always glad to come by and visit.

be well :)
angela
(princess tinybutt)

katie ford hall said...

I posted about this yesterday. If what we are hearing about the story is true, I completely agree with you. However, I think there is more to the story than this. Check out this from her hometown newspaper.

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/13272346/article-Don-t-call-it-journalism?instance=most_recommended

Not trying to start a war about this, I don't think ANY of us knows the whole story.

Katie

laurie said...

Hi Angela! Glad so glad to see your name here. And Katie - you are not starting a war. I am really interested in learning more. Glad you took the time to comment.

laurie said...

So I read the Herald article. I still object to the judge's statement: "the course of her disease is unknown." I think that is the statement that should concern all of us. I appreciate that there are lots of shades of grey in every split but that statement remains at the top of a very slippery slope for me.

katie ford hall said...

Thanks for not yelling at me Laurie. :)

I would love to read the whole ruling. Do you know if that's available?

Katie

laurie said...

I was wondering about that, myself. If I have time, in the next few days, I'm going to see if I can find it. I'll let you know if I do.
BTW - dissenting voices/other opinions always welcome here. :-)