Posted on 08/11/2002 8:05:02 PM PDT by madprof98
FIVE months ago Central Coast couple Ben and Veronica Sneesby were told their unborn baby had no chance of survival.
But today the couple are proud parents of three-week-old Phelicity after using their life savings to get to the other side of the world for a ground-breaking operation they were told didn't exist.
When Mrs Sneesby had a routine ultrasound 19 weeks into her pregnancy, the couple learned their baby suffered from hypoplastic left-heart syndrome.
Doctors advised the young couple to terminate the pregnancy or expect the baby to die within days of birth.
But the ultrasound images convinced them to battle on and search for a cure.
"She was sitting there sucking her fingers and thumb and then they told us about the heart problem – how could you choose an abortion?" Mr Sneesby said.
After searching the internet for information about the rare condition, the Sneesbys found a doctor in the US willing to perform a new procedure.
Florida doctor Mark Galantowicz offered his services free, but the couple still faced the $250,000 cost of travel and the hospital expenses. The Sneesbys used money saved for a house, sold their cars and held charity nights near their Tuggerah home to raise $60,000.
The family has yet to raise enough money for the hospital bill.
But their efforts were more than rewarded three weeks ago when Phelicity, their second daughter, was born at Columbus Children's Hospital in Ohio.
Mr Sneesby said the experience had been expensive and stressful, but he and his wife had no regrets.
"We'll never be millionaires but we'll be comfortable and happy," he said.
"As soon as she starts walking and crawling and smiling, we will know we've got her for life."
The Sneesbys' race against time began when Phelicity was diagnosed with HLHS, which cripples the development of the heart's left side.
People wanting to help with Phelicity's medical bills can deposit money at any National Bank – Veronica and Ben Sneesby Trust Account, BSB 082 868, account number 541 834 032.
You are right. Socialized medicine focuses on preventive health care: vaccinations, prenatal care, life expectancy, etc. Countries with "high" ratings for health can usually attribute their success more to demographics than superior health care technology. For example, Iceland always gets high marks by the WHO, but there is no more homogenous country, demographically, in the world. They don't have to factor in minorities, 3rd world immigrants, or any other demographic group that typically affects health stats.
This would have been illegal if Hillary's health care scheme passed. I don't have the location, but one of the clauses made it a felony to spend your own money on health care. It was designed to prevent going around the system. If they want to deny you care, there would be nothing you could do about it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.