World's Smallest Living Baby

I miss having a mandatory state-regulated health plan that's willing to spend hundreds of thousands of euros on ONE newborn.

Am I the only one who has trouble looking at the picture? It really grosses me out.

No, no, it grosses me out, too.

Of course, what they don't tell you is that she very likely will suffer from all sort of problems and handicap (physical and/or cognitive) throughout her life. The "cost" of these, especially to the parents, are certainly not taken into account. The hotshot doctors who "saved" her are not the ones who are going yo have to deal with deals either. They've played their Godlike part and have left the stage....

@Eric

So true - except they're from Hanover so there are no "hotshot" doctors there - only really really really really state paid mediocre ones (kind of like Canada).

Very true Eric. It's pretty screwed up when you think about it. That kid is definitely going to have some problems, like all of the other premature babies out there.

Call me cruel, but she shouldn't have been saved. Then again, if the parents want to deal with all the repercussions ... let them do so. They may be happy now ...

Eric is right that little Kimberly will live a life with major health problems; most kids born prematurely do. But which came first; the chicken or the egg?

In cases like this, I seriously doubt that the health problems are caused by the premature birth; most likely the premature birth is caused by the underlying health problems. The mother's body knows if the child she is carrying has serious issues, and tries to spontaneously abort the pregnancy. Unfortunately, many in the medical profession jump into a case like this with the noble goal of saving a life when they should let life run its natural course. We're at a crossroads in the technological advancement of medicine where some just don't know where to quit.

And in a country with socialized health care, it's the parents who make the decision to press on, but they don't suffer the full repercussions of prolonging the child's life; the state pays the bills. That said, I sure wouldn't want the state making that call either.

Absolutely sickening.

No, not the photograph of that precious human life, a gift that the parents have an absolute right to do anything [short of taking another precious human life] they can to save...

What IS sickening are the horrific, liberalism gone insane, comments from the previous posters.

You have made me feel physically ill.

Saw this on BBC news, and they pointed out that this is *NOT* the worlds smallest living baby... sorry.

Life is soo precious. So very fragile and yet so very amazingly resilient at the same time. Wow how very special this tiny person is. I wish her the best life possible.

illimey, why are you so surprised? Amorality is not only alive and well these days, it's thriving.

Also, hypocrisy at its finest. What happened to a woman's right to choose? I guess life isn't a valid "choice".

As apparent from some of the previous comments, there's nothing a liberal likes better than a good abortion.

WOW, incredible. Hope she grows up to change the world!

The picture did make me a little uncomfortable at first, Ive seen pictures of still borns that look similar. After the initial shock I found this to be an amazing and beautiful story. I think any health problems she'll have will be outweighed by the love she receives.

FYI im pretty Liberal *gasp* and think it has little to do with my opinion on this story. Why does everyting become politics

"there’s nothing a liberal likes better than a good abortion." ...what the hell is that supposed to mean?

"Life is so precious" - how so?

There's 6 billion plus examples of that "precious" commodity stumbling around the planet now. Virtually any 13-43 year old woman can produce more (and seemingly do in many many nations). Not exactly a scarce commodity now is it?

# Justin Says:

"Am I the only one who has trouble looking at the picture? It really grosses me out."

It seems to help if you are really hungry. Then it just looks like nice snack.

"Call me cruel, but she shouldn’t have been saved."

Well, i don't see you living outside naked in the jungle where those laws of natural selection applies?

And for the hundreds of thousands of euros i say go on and use thousand of thousands of euros if that is what it takes. Every life, regardless the later handicaps, is worth saving, and if i have to pay more taxes for that, i do it very happily.

~Vonskippy~

By your argument you should have no problem with murder. After all, what is one life compared to the other six billion?

Damn you liberals for wanting "quality" of life! You disgust me. How dare you want quality for this baby! Her parents have the right to force her to live through whatever disabilities she might have and dog gonnit, she's gonna like it!

ok, I have to jump in here... I have a child that, while not born prematurely, has had many of the medical complications of one.

A fortune was spent on keeping my child alive. He will never be normal. But he has a good quality of life, which he enjoys to the best of his ability.

I think that if you were to ask him if it was worth it, he'd say, "Yes." If you asked anyone else who knows him, they'd definitely say, "Yes." To know my boy, is to love him, and he brings so much joy to everyone around him.

And while you may bash me for my selfishness in spending all that money to keeping him alive in those early months, I can say that I am grateful to be his momma, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

He is the greatest blessing of my life.

@Vonskippy

So now life is just another commodity? People are just resources? For some reason I thought this was the 21st Century, and most civilized countries had left that notion for history books.

She looks beet...

I would totally use that as a baby picture in my senior yearbook if i were her.

Liberals: 0
Leah: 1

It's high time you conservative posters moved out of the dark ages, and joined the age of reason. Your moralistic preaching is tiresome. Assuming it lives more than a few months, society will pay hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars for the care it will need during its life, which in all likelihood will be spent in pain and suffering from birth defects and handicaps. A line has to be drawn somewhere. I'd prefer that rational humanists, instead of non-thinking, non-questioning fundamentalists, decide where that line is.

"Absolutely sickening.
No, not the photograph of that precious human life, a gift that the parents have an absolute right to do anything [short of taking another precious human life] they can to save…
What IS sickening are the horrific, liberalism gone insane, comments from the previous posters.
You have made me feel physically ill."

How is it cruel or sickening to consider for one second whether or not the child, herself would've preferred living with disabilities or not? How is it cruel or sickening to consider for one second that those parents might be making their decision, blinded by emotion? I agree that life is valuable and no one person should decide as to how any life comes to end, but by fighting nature, those doctors have still done just that. If that little girl dies in childhood or even in young adulthood, or has a considerably lower standard of life from complications caused by at-birth disabilities, how is that any less inhumane, to dictate she must live through those experiences?

The wheat and chaffe have been separated...

@VonSkippy

actually, life is extremely rare, that we know about anyway. As well, anyone who is living today is extremely extremely lucky, because it took what accounts up to be a miracle sequence of millions of events for it to happen. The problem is, you just think way to small. I would have to say you probably cheated in the Great Sperm Race.

My brother was born about 12 weeks premature 46 years ago. The doctors all warned my parents not to expect much from him, assuming he survived - which wasn't likely.

He not only survived, he graduated valedictorian of his class, was a varsity letterman in highschool, went on to get his MBA and is married with three wonderful kids.

Kimberly (named after the diamond, perhaps?)sounds like a fighter and every day is a victory for her. I hope for the best for her and her parents. While I don't consider myself a Christian, there is a passage in the bible that I think fits: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Those fo you that made comments about the quality of life of this little girl. You and noone knows what her quality of life is or will be. My sone weighted 1 lb 5 oz when he was born. He is 6 now ,a little delayed but healthy. He is the happiest child I know and we have alot of people commenting on his whole attitude toward life. I could never have thought of doing nothing to save him when he was born. He was born early for a reason and he is still here today for a reason. I feel very fortunate that my son has survived with out any major problems but i know others that have had major problems but a true parent will do anything for their child because they love their children.

The first comments represent the thoughts of assholes.

I cannot believe what I'm reading here. This is about a human being, not a puppy! To all those idiots who feel sickened by the picture or who think the child should not be saved: you probably live in save seclusion with no exposure to the real world and real life. Get a life, be real, and learn to respect life! To Kimberly: may you grow up healthy and out-perform these bastards!

illimey sounds like one of our right-wing wacko Christinas here in the States.

Or she may not, she may die in a week, she may be humiliated through life, she may commit suicide because of its quality. She may be the next Hitler.

President Clinton II is coming.

It sickens me to see the conservatives ignorance of the subject, although I can not show you your mistakes, you can find it out on your own. I do not condone forcing something into a miserable life, if the parents however wish to keep the baby, and nurture it it is there choice, if they couldn't it would be up to them. Do not get me wrong, I do wish for her to have a happy life but I am a realist. Best Wishes for the Sapling.

Yeah! Save those medically nonviable babies! Contribute to overpopulation! Woo!

@Willard the sad thing is, he life is meaningless, while in reality it won't make a difference to anything, just like the rest of the billions of Men/Women/Other that walk the world, unless she makes something for herself. I hope her life won't become someones crutch.

Hahahaha @ Justin. It's like a lil chocolate-covered snack.

"How dare you want quality for this baby! Her parents have the right to force her to live through whatever disabilities she might have and dog gonnit, she’s gonna like it!"

Um. It's the exact opposite of "force" to let her decide for herself one day whether or not to live through it, you piece of crap.

The pro-abortionists don't seem happy to let this woman make her choice. I suppose it was the wrong one, now we know what their agenda really is.

Mooseman, it sounds to me like you are ignorant of the subject. Just because someone had special needs, doesn't mean that they're are any less deserving of life.

And who are you to decide what constitutes "making a difference" in the world? I'd say that the physicians who treated this child (and my child) have learned a heck of a lot from them. I'd say that people who know and love children with special needs have learned a lot about love, patience, and tolerance.

How dare you say that these children don't make a difference?

Wow, maybe some people who have had spotless lives believe they can prematurely judge the life of another EQUAL human being. No physical disability makes you ineligible for a shot at life. This BS about poor quality of life is retarded as hell. Maybe in other countries this is true. But in America, the people themselves handle their own quality of life. It isn't just already destiny and planned. This has pissed me off so much. FUCK liberal asshole pro-choice, wish their mom was pro-life, dumb fucking retards. Pro-choice is the stupidest shit I've heard of in my life. IF pro-choice is right I wanna be wrong. F-ing retards realize by what they are saying it would have been lawful to turn themselves into bureau-slushy.

Heh... I was wondering yesterday why there were so many rational sounding comments. Guess the blindsighted conservative types were so exhausted from rolling in the aisles at church on Sunday, that they needed Monday off.

Totally agree. Waste of money for one premature baby. How many young lives around the world could have been saved with that money?
What ever happened to Gods plan? Oh wait... thats just the "security blanket" way of explaining things when they go wrong. You would think these religious nuts who think "life is precious" would be in favor of letting "Gods will" do its work, without human intervention.

I am sickened by the people who cares if theyre liberal or not who are saying we should have let the child die. Half of you don't want kids or if you did would assume society and the government are responsible for raising them. it sickens me when i read comments like "How is it cruel or sickening to consider for one second whether or not the child, herself would’ve preferred living with disabilities or not?" The end all be all point is SHE CAN'T at this stage in her life and it is the parents job to keep they're kid alive or did we forget basic points of the species. If you value life so little then your next rational thought should be when she has enuf since to realize she is disabled she also can take her self out of this "misery" you "medical experts" claim she'll be in. Its called suicide. I do not however wish this upon her. Seriously SHUT THE HELL up you atheistic pessimistic beings who are a shame to the human race and devoid of basic morals. Quit telling other parents how to do their jobs and smack your own parents for failing miserably at theirs. You people who live in those countries voted or have the power to change socialistic national healthcare plans so you wouldn't be shouldering any of the bills on your tax dollars. so STFU and even if you don't appreciate the living beings that God puts on this earth no matter how not "normal" they may appear. Butt the F&^k out of other peoples lives and realize that even with the "BEST" medical help even if there is no God this is a miracle a statistical anomaly that shouldn't be happening and just say nothing

PS Leah I can vouch having a couple friends both with muscular distrophy since early childhood. Both are blessings to have as friends and both appreciate every opportunity they have to experience life at its fullest. I am sure that your child is also a blessing to everyone in his life and just like my two friends brightens the day of anyone he meets with his positive attitude in the face of his social "abnormalities" seeing them not as such but just another difference that we all have. May God bless you and create more informed people who ACTUALLY know what "QUALITY" of life is. And always remember it is not the Bills gates' among us who shall inherit the earth but the meek. and I quote "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5)."

Obviously, the world's ideal of the perfect man is very different from His. The meek are among those so favored that they will share in Jesus' inheritance of the earth.

@Lolzatgodpeople:

God not only works thru His miraculous intervention, but uses His creations both human and nonhuman to do His will. Learn what God's will and how he exercises it actually means by studying OUR book before you critcize humans for stepping in. If it were God's will that they let this baby die in promise of another or even in promise that they aren't meant to have kids, then it would have been so. Bottom line learn about what your criticizing before you sound ignorant on the subject.

@ Robert:

Robert sounds like one of those left-wing wacko atheists we have here in the states who can't spell christians and who preaches tolerance of other peoples differences but is the first to point them out as flaws. Quality of life is appreciating each and every difference we all have not aborting one child because its IQ won't be average or because it will have some genetic handicap compared to "us normal / average people" and since you seem to be opposed to the right wing, what happened to a womans right to choose?

"illimey sounds like one of our right-wing wacko Christinas here in the States"

Heh. Yeah. If by being someone who thinks the life of a baby is worth fighting for, and someone who thinks abortion is America's holocaust, then you're right! I must be one of those 'right-wing wacko Christinas'. Not quite sure what that is, but I've been called worse.

Quality of life is not ours to judge. Many people in this world who are as physically healthy as it's possible to be lead miserable lives. Many people who face the most heartbreaking physical challenges still manage to embrace life and live with joy. If ANYONE thinks they have the right to make that decision for another human - they are quite simply, plainly, absolutely WRONG.

This country of despicable 'what I want, how I want it, when I want it, and damn the rest of you' capitalistic liberalism where the majority of the population blindly accepts lies as truth [or more accurately is too wrapped up in self to even CARE about the truth] needs to stop. Stop, take a step back, look around, seek the meaning behind life, seek answers to the important questions in life, and start caring for each other again.

There IS truth, and it IS absolute. Nothing else is logical. And part of that truth is that ALL human life is precious, and ALL human life is worth fighting for.

I know this has nothing to do with the little miracle that is the subject of this article but just wanted to add to the conversation.

before I was born the doctors told my parents I would be mentally handicapped, never be able to walk correctly, will always depend on my family for stability.

20 years later here I am.I know you guys can assume what she will feel later on in life but I know I am so happy some days to know I am alive. I have my ups and downs and I am quite insecure about the daily seizures that I have but none the less I am just a human being like everyone else. My family and my boyfriend love me and tell me everyday.

Keep fighting kimberly I wish you the best.

Oh and I forgot to add

I graduated with honers. I was one of the fastest girls in my high school, captain of the field hockey & soccer team. I graduate in may with my AA and I am quite independent.

Keep the negative assumptions to yourself. In cases like this all you should be able to do is hope and pray the little girl will live.

scary and amazing at the same time ...

i'm a christian, but after reading all the comments, i thought of a popular quote from the koran and talmud... it might actually be in the bible, but i don't personally don't remember seeing it. "save one life, save all the world...". anyway, the people arguing that Kimberly is a waste of public funds are ridiculous. you're writing on a freaking blog about this little tiny human being, who has struggled more in 6 months than any of you have in your entire existence. i understand the arguement that funds could have gone to improve or even save multiple lives as opposde to just one, but have some respect for the obstacles this young girl has overcome. many of you are addressing life like a commodity. judge and you'll be judged if you like. just don't complain when your overweight, cynical hearts stop and someone decides your potential future contributions to society aren't worth extending the precious few years you have left. regardless, i hope you all have the opportunity to live life to the fullest extent.

I write this comment not only as a human being but as a new mother of a (thank god) healthy 6 month old baby boy.
I also write this mainly to the people in the first couple of comments that Tempscire, Eric, and biltmore made. Who the hell are you to play "GOD" and say who lives and dies. furthermore who the hell are you to say she won't live a perfectly normal life. Oh let me guess you guys are the ones in school and in life that decides whats normal and whats not. Coming from a family with a mentally disable sister i find people like you disgusting. Who's to say your parents shouldn't have had an "ABORTION" or just let you "DIE". I thank god my son was born healthy and i thank god that if he wasn't there would be doctors there to "PLAY GOD" and do everything in there power to save him. And as an end to this little note i now have something new to pray for, "I PRAY YOU PEOPLE NEVER HAVE KIDS!!". You may just decide to kill them if there not perfect

The child will have problems, but I believe she will live a fulfilling life, and be the light of her mother's world.

My sister has downs, and I wouldn't want her to be killed just because she was disabled. She's beautiful, and has a kind loving heart. Something that seems missing to many of you.

Wow Godhanot sounds like a stereotypical moron. Bitching/whining/making one huge stinky pile of a rant and yet somehow at the same time... telling athiest types to mind their own buisness.

Thats classic. *golfclap*

Congratulations to "ll The Lotus ll", and everyone else here who had families who believed in them enough to fight and help them to be all that they can be.

It's 6:30am EST, and I just put my son on the school bus to Jr. high school. In addition to what he learns at school today, he will educate his "normal" peers on the intrinsic value of human life, and the importance of an inclusive community.

Unfortunately, those are things that some of the people posting here have yet to learn.

This debate makes no sense. The Christians are saying you can't kill her, and the non-christians are saying she'll have a horrible life. It seems odd to me. What happened to the days the Christians cared about people playing God? And what happened to Liberals giving a crap about everyone, no matter how illogical it was? Seems to me that the right and the left have rotated 180 around their clashing points.

Truth is, this baby might have a horrible life. And (brace yourselves parents) she might hate her parents for bringing her into this world. But if that was her parents concern, they should have the right to "let her die", not "kill her", not "abort her". It can be humane to let someone die, you know.

And if that's not what the parents want, then they just need to be prepared for that gamble. Not just for themselves, but for the life they've thrusted upon little Kimberly. And if that pays off, well more power to them. And I hope it all works out okay.

But at the center of this isn't an abortion issue, but it is a choice issue. If the birth goes horribly and the baby wouldn't stand a chance without cutting edge technology, then the parents should be allowed to let it pass on. After all, isn't death (sometimes cruelly premature) supposed to be part of God's plan? Isn't the natural way the true way.
But if the parents want to make the opposite choice, give them that option too. That choice needs to be preserved so the people closest to that baby can make the best choices for it. Even if that means allowing God to reclaim it.

Bet she rides the short bus and a helmet in class.When it comes time to fight for her rights to equality the cons will scream and holler "No way" Yet they PRETEND to care about life.Bring my son back from IRAQ and STFU.Cons are the worst of mankind just like the religous nuts.Liars,biggots,an MURDERERS one and all.Why do you dullards go go munch on your god bush's bunghole.

Some of you people that commented on this are sick....saying that baby shouldn’t have been saved, and that it’s a waste of money....you disgust me....I wish your parents would have said you weren’t worth having

Wow...just...wow. I was born with a congenital heart defect and would have died if not for the efforts of the doctors. I've had several surgeries and ongoing health problems. But I enjoy life and I am about to finish my PhD and I believe I make a positive contribution to society and my family. Not giving someone a chance because you think they *MIGHT* be a burden is heartless, cruel, and, despite your flawed logical argument, completely irrational. By your argument you should not have kids at all, and if you do, you should kill them, because who knows, they might become a criminal.

The pro-Kimberly comments encourage me this world isn't completely full of depraved souls. Thank you. And thank Jesus for this little image of God. May she continue to radiate His glory all the days of her life.

It is crystal clear that all of the posters saying "they should have let her die" have not only never been in this situation, but are probably not even parents.

Five years ago my wife and I spent a LOT of time at the local NICU (Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit) because our son was born a little early, and was very small (granted, nowhere near this small, but he was 3 lbs and only 5 weeks early, when he should have weighed at least 5 or 6 lbs).

While our son did pass away after 4 months (he had other health problems than just coming early), we wouldn't have traded a single day of it for anything.

Not only that, but we got to know many of the parents of other babies up there, many of which were premature like Kimberley.

There was Jacob, who was born at 1 lb 11 oz and dropped to 1 lb 9 oz before gaining weight. Where is Jacob today? He's five now, and is the delight of his parents.

Then there's Meaghan (who was also born very small - around the 1.5 lb mark). She is almost six now, and while she is blind, is a beautiful girl, and loved by everyone who knows her (especially her parents).

I guarantee that if you were to ask anyone who knows those two kids if they should have just "let them die", the answer would be a resounding (not to mention offended) "NO".

Comments about how this baby and other premature babies will grow up with "physical/cognitive handicaps" are simply uneducated and ignorant guesses. The capabilities of modern NICU facilities are phenomenal. Having experienced this as a parent of preemies, I can attest to the fact that the "hot shot" doctors/nurses that saved this child are performing modern day miracles. This baby has excellent chances of growing up as healthy as any other full term baby. Any suggestion that saving this child was not worth it due to cost, is heartless, insensitive, and obviously not the words of a loving parent.

I only read the first few comments, and thankfully also the one from darren at 10:31. I am a parent of preemie twins born 14 weeks early and weighing less than 2 pounds each. My children are almost 4 years old now, and you'd never know they entered the world so soon and so tiny. They are very healthy and incredibly smart! I know that the odds were against us, but in this day and age doctors are making great strides in saving preemies' lives and improving their quality of life. Not only do we owe credit to the doctors, but parents who are educated on preemie issues and available treatments and programs are to be applauded as well. Our doctors told us on several occasions that they were merely giving our children a jump start, but that the real test would be what we would do to continue their ability to thrive once they came home over 3 months after birth. Please don't assume that all preemies are destined to suffer the rest of their lives with health problems and learning disabilities. In my experience, I have run across more stories of success rather than sadness.

For more information visit http://www.marchofdimes.com Here, you can learn more about early labor symptoms, prematurity, and even donate to help fight premature births and treat those who do arrive early.

I felt i had to leave a comment, though the level of narrow-mindedness and lack of concience will more than likely deem this a page not worth revisiting. I find it disturbing that in general rather than simply expressing ones thoughts, one has to immediately turn this into a liberal Vs. conservative battle. (though notice who once again fired the first "Pre-emptive" shots. I hope the best for kimberly, and i'm one of those "Crazy Russ Feingold liberals" One thing you learn in basic psychology is that people who lash out, or Over-represent their oppinions, are often the ones who have the least faith and confidence in their own ideals. Maby some of you should spend more time examining yourself and less time passing judgement on the rest of the world.

Michael @10:57,

The parents who have children with challenges, and/or who were born prematurely have not jumped into the "Liberal v. Conservative" or "Christian v. Non-Christian" wading pool here in these comments. Other people have - we have not.

The other parents and I have simply said that our childrens' lives do have value, and that they deserve the best care to ensure their survival.

Actually i don't agree with you. She should have been saved. My cousin was 11 ounces when he was born and now he is a healthy 19 year man. He was fine. Don't assume just because the birth may have been unoridinary, that things will always go wrong.

ET PHONE MY HOUSE

Illiberals would have had Steven Hawkins aborted.

"“Life is so precious” - how so?"

exactly. The same folks wouldn't think twice about spaying their cats. Hey, they don't even get the right to choose. You've taken it away. It's still life, isn't it?

I'm conservative and very pro-choice.

@ Scot

Steven Hawkins developed His condition in College, He was not born that way. ALS (lou Gherigs disease) is not believed to be Hereditary either,

Any time there is a chance to save a life, the effort should be made. Firefighters don't give up just because teh quality of life is an unknown for the burn victim, and we shouldn't pass judgement on this little girl. she may for all we know develop normally and live a long and full life. odder things have happened. Having lost a child and spent 6 years hoping for a family, I find it disturbing that those who generally choose to argue, or to lash out adn pass judgement, are generally those that know almost nothing of what they are speaking.

I was born premature and am now a 6 foot 2 200 lbs soon to be father. My wife was born with physical ailments that make her life hard and expensive. we are both grateful, happy people every day of our lives. She has been an inspiration to countless children she teaches as a teacher. Those children are now having children and teaching some of the same values taught by my wife. But hey one life doesn't matter right? To the liberals I want you to be the ones who tell the parents of that child that there are options at preserving their child's life but we wont take them. Life is precious. Anyone who lives in the US sees the power that one senator, president, father, mother, terrorist, radical polygamist, pastor, can have on a large group of people. But hey we are all going to die from global warming anyways.

@ religionMakesCrazies:

You need to read the comments about learning to speak and also to learn of what you speak before typing or saying anything else to anyone. point blank and end of story.

@ nottobelabelled:

Another common misconception from the noninformed. just because a human thinks of it does not mean that it is not in God's plan. God works no only through natural things like floods and storms etc. But also through His creations like humans. He has blessed us with such technology to save every precious life on this earth. If it were meant to be such that little Kimberly should have passed on it woud have happened no matter the technological intervention that humans used. But the fact that they used it along with the fact that she is still alive is ALL apart of His plan.

jeeze Godhanot, give it a rest. This isn't even on front page anymore. All those people who don't care what you have to say, really aren't going to hang around to hear you whine on.

And on.

And on.

so STFU already.

Wow. What a volatile subject.

Eugenics rears its ugly head.

If this child dies, she will die. If she suffers health problems, so be it. If she grows up and becomes the next Hitler, that's probably more to do with how she will be raised.

Maybe in China she would have been aborted because her parents wanted a boy.

Whatver. The right to choose includes the right to make bad choices. Time will tell if this was good or bad.

It's not a foregone conclusion that she'll have health problems. I was born a little over two months early, in 1974 when technology was nowhere near what we have today; and I've never had any problems at all - no breathing problems, IQ of 148, fit and healthy. Give her a chance before pronouncing doom and gloom.

I, too, was a premature baby not too different than the one pictured. Yet, here I stand responding to the ignorant, selfish others who have posted before me. Who are you to accuse the doctors, who may have taken an oath to save all lives, after having "played their Godlike part and have left the stage…"? Who mare you to place a cost on someone's life, however fleeting you think it is?
Yet again, here I stand and type my response knowing full well that those critics have yet to learn how precious life is. As far as health problems are concerned, I'm sure I'll come down with some when I get older just like everyone else but I'll continue to run marathons and have fun competing in triathlons while you couch potatoes waste your lives away criticizing health care and wasting tax dollars on preemies like me.

I hate "God's plan" shit. People always try to give God credit for when good things happen, and blame him for letting bad things happen. Why not just thank him for everything? Thank you God for saving Kimberly. Thank you God for giving us the technology to save lives. Thank you God for giving us the technology to end lives. Thank you God for racism, sexism and ignorance. Thanks for the breakfast cheerios I had this morning too. Thank you for the fucking sour milk.

Maybe God DOES have a plan for everyone. Maybe we're like a huge real time strategy game for God that he's playing on an HD Jumbotron.

"Spawn more Preemies."

@ curtiss exhale:

wow. you missed the point.

Hey stupid person who's name is Justin u and your momma were born like so dont this the poor thing.

Yo Curtis I dont mean to be rud bu (cough...cough I cough... do) If u hatin on God get out cause im Christian and tha cold so shoo.

That is so small i can't believe this!

this is a remarkable story..to all those people who have nothing to say but negative comments i say dont look and kill your babies when you have them..but for now leave the decision making to kimberly's parents..they know that everything happens for a reason and that whatever it is god will take hold of it. it's sad that we now live in a world where people chooses to at the bad instead of the good..shame on you all... im glad that this babies parents still have faith and that despite all the negative comments the baby still made it, as for sickness we all will have them no matter what and you all might be suprise to see that this baby gets to be more healthy more than any of you.. go do something possitive we your lives instead of making other people feel bad and juging them.
what goes around comes around so be careful of your wishes and comments

OMG !! some of the hateful and sickening comments made on this site is horrible ... Not EVERY premature baby will be sick ... Not every full term baby will be health !! WHO are you people to make a comment and say a baby should not be saved ?? Thats a horrible statement !! When you were a child you got sick .. should you have not be taken care of ... maybe your mother should have let your fever fry your brain ... ??? What a freaking idiot to post such hateful things. its amazing what stupid things people can think of to say.

Honestly, you people with your comments about how worthless and expensive it is to save the life of a preemie baby is absolutely pathetic.
I am the parent of a preemie baby born 23 weeks early, and just over 1 lb.
He is the joy of my life. He is now 14 and smarter than most kids I know!!
He loves electronics, PS3, riding his bike, skate boarding and has such a zest for life it's unbelievable.
We can spend billions on war, overpaid celebrities and ball players, driving in our status symbol vehicles, sporting our designer bags and clothes, but these precious lives are not worth it?
Having this child has humbled me and made me appreciate how precious life can be and I have truly become a better person for it.
Too bad the same can't be said for you!!!!

well, out of everybody i thinnk dta got made her the way he wants cause we all belong to god we are his people and we should respect wat he does!!!!!!

This is unbelievable! I am shocked that she survived! i'm really into babies and this makes me scared!!

you guyz are mean! that baby has every right to live just as much as you do...

I am sickend by the way these people are talking my baby was born at only 1 lb 11 oz he is now ten he is doing good and is here for a reason just because they are early and little does not mean anything they are as equal as anyone. They are little blessings for god. I will always do anything for my boy. I fought for him to be here and i will do anything in my power to keep him here. He actually did better then the doctors expected.

That is reallly sad:( She is so tiny! Her lungs are problly the size of a lima bean!!!!

WAIT IS A CHERRY A BERRY?????
E-MAIL ME THE ANSWER AT ryunturner11@yahoo.com

THANKS,
RYUN TURNER

Was reading through all the comments, a few suprised me. To hear people comment on this baby should not have been saved is barbaric. Doesnt every one deserve a chance?. I'm sure if these people were in hospital with some deadly disease they would expect treatment of some kind, and not left on a bed to die. These people should really think a bit first.idiots.

That is sickening i hope i wasnt that disguisting when i was a baby i prob wasnt cuz i wasnt that small Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww that is so nasty i like cant look at it ever again i would hate to be the parents of that kid

wow that is so sad my sister had a baby and it was small to but never hav i seen any that samll its so sad i wish i could help it wow

It is sick the a*holes that post negative thoughts on the beautiful baby... Think about this... YOU might have looked like that when you were born and be as normal a kid can be. Yes problems of health will arise but the love of the Family makes it all the better. So you creeps out there that have nothing better to do than criticize what a premature baby looks like need to get a better view on life... You sick People! I suppose none of you have children or are planning to, because with those ignorant comment not one of you should have that privilege and gift of being parents!

hi i dont mean to be rude and iv only read a few comentsbut i take it none of you have had a premature birth or even a still born well i have iv had 3 still borns due to premature birht all at 20 weeks and i would have giving anything in the world for my babys to have been alive even if its only for a few hours and yes i would be willing to deal with the problems my babys might have had due to coming early but i didnt get that chance im now preg for my 4th and is 18 weeks so do u know how scary it is knowing your baby will die and there is nothing you or the docs can do

one more thing u people are sick and yes u prob did look like that when u were ababy if not worse that baby is a tiny give of life we all deseve a chance and i would be proude to be that babys mother

that is a cute baby

Being born premature does not always deem that a child will live with disabilities, nor does being born full term deem that you will not. Nor does being diasbled mean that life is miserable and meaningless....my severely disabled son (who was born full term and suffered a brain injury due to a medical mistake) has taught me more about life than I could possibly imagined, he is also THE HAPPIEST child I have ever seen. When he was in the highest level of intensive care after his birth, the baby in the isolette next to him was the smallest baby in the NICU at just barely a pound, the amazing thing though was that this child never needed any life support, she was perfect in everyway and is now a happy healthy 7 year old....what if doctors said she was too smal to save? Who are we to judge, and who are we to say what, and who deserves life. Mys son is completely aware of his different abilities, or lack there of, and if he had had the choice, it would not be different, he would choose to live....perhaps the world would be a better place if more people would focus on the possitive rather than the negative.