Barrett Brasfield, born at 26 weeks and weighing one pound, is finally going home after spending his entire life in hospitals. Barrett has faced numerous health challenges, including lung issues and infections, requiring a tracheotomy tube. The Brasfield family is excited to bring Barrett home and has prepared a nursery for him. Barrett, now 13 months old and weighing 18 pounds, is described as joyful and active by his parents. The parents were overjoyed to hear Barrett cry for the first time after using a Passy Muir Valve.
5 months ago
Barrett Brasfield, a baby born at just 26 weeks gestation, has been discharged from the hospital after spending 13 months, or over 400 days, in medical care 1. Born on June 6, 2024, via emergency Cesarean section, he weighed only one pound at birth 1. His parents, Carli and Roman Brasfield, are now taking him home to Birmingham, Alabama, marking a significant milestone after his prolonged hospital stay 1.
Following his premature birth, Barrett faced numerous health obstacles, including severe lung issues and infections 1. He spent the first eight months of his life in the Regional Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, before being transferred to the NICU at Children's of Alabama 1.
A key turning point in Barrett's journey was the fitting of a tracheotomy tube in April, which made his eventual discharge a realistic possibility 1. His parents also experienced the profound joy of hearing him cry for the first time recently, made possible by a Passy Muir Valve that allowed air to pass over his vocal cords 1. By his first birthday, Barrett had grown to 18 pounds and is described by his mother as "so full of joy," actively playing, laughing, rolling, sitting up, and eating, despite being tube-fed 1.
Barrett's story is highlighted as an inspiring example of resilience, demonstrating his remarkable progress despite the significant challenges he encountered from birth 1. His journey underscores the dedication of medical professionals and the unwavering support of his family throughout his extensive hospitalization 1.
The Church's view on the dignity of human life?
The Catholic Church upholds the profound dignity of every human life, asserting that it is sacred and inviolable from the moment of conception until natural death . This teaching is rooted in the belief that every human person is willed by God for their own sake, created in His image and likeness , .
The sacredness of human life is not merely an idea but a concrete reality, reflecting a being capable of love and service to humanity . This dignity is inherent and does not depend on any stage of development, condition, or circumstance .
The Church's defense of human life extends to all its stages, with a particular emphasis on the most vulnerable.
The conviction that a human being is always sacred and inviolable provides a solid and lasting foundation for the defense of all human rights . When this conviction is lost, human rights become subject to the passing whims of those in power . Every violation of the personal dignity of a human being is considered an offense against the Creator . The Church's "no" to practices that harm human life is ultimately a great "yes" to the recognition of the dignity and inalienable value of every single human being called into existence .