Family's bravery over baby's birth

Source: U.TV

09/01/2015: Just 12 weeks into their pregnancy Elisha and Dermott McGill were given the devastating news that their child had anencephaly, meaning part of the baby's skull was missing.

The Aghadowey couple were faced with two options.

That Baby McGill could be carried to full term or they could make arrangements to end the pregnancy.

Elisha McGill said: "If the baby made it to full term they made it quite evident that the baby wouldn't survive for long after birth."

Dermott McGill added: "We were just dumbfounded, we didn't know what to do, where to go or what are plans were from there."

But what the McGills - who have two young boys - decided to do next surprised everyone. They chose to go through with the pregnancy so that the baby's healthy organs could be used by other children in need.

Mr McGill added: "I had been thinking about it myself, but didn't want to suggest it in case Elisha thought I was maybe pressuring her.

"But after Elisha was looking up about it on the internet she came back and said 'will we try organ donation' and I agreed and we asked our consultant if it was a possibility."

The family have set up a support group to help other families in similar situations as themselves.

Elisha McDermott said: "It's very easy to blame yourself and wonder what you have done to deserve this and when I feel myself slipping into those thoughts I just think about the good that we can do.

"I just want this wee baby to be remembered for giving life to someone else and not just as the child that was born without a skull."

More information on the families cause can be found on their Facebook page.






« Back to News