The hits just keep coming for poor Tameka Foster and Usher Raymond. The R&B superstar's stepson, Kyle Glover, was declared brain dead earlier this month after a jet-skiing accident. Now it looks like he'll be taken off life support, and his mom won't be able to do anything to stop it.
Foster's health insurance reportedly delivered the news that they will stop paying for the 11-year-old's care as early as next month. Without insurance, Foster, who has several other children to care for, including two kids with ex-husband Usher, can't afford to keep paying his hospital bills.
My heart breaks for her a little more with each piece of this story. First to have to deal with such a horrific accident, then the news that her child was "brain dead," and now insurance company games.
Sources are saying Tameka is refusing to believe the medical experts and counting on a miracle to help her son, although she won't ask Usher for the money to keep him on life support. At the risk of sounding like an armchair psychiatrist, it sounds like she's in a bit of denial.
But wouldn't you be? Would you be able to jump out ahead of the insurance company and make the decision?
I don't know that I could.
I don't care how old your child is, having to say, "Yes, turn off the machines" is not going to be an easy task. But Foster's son is just 11! He's not just her baby; he's a baby, and this isn't the type of thing parents prepare for. Not to mention: there are no parenting books that explain how to deal with this. Right now I can only hope the insurance company making the decision for her will help ease Tameka's pain somehow instead of adding to it.
Have you thought about what you'd do if your child were in this state?
Image via tixgirl/Flickr
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Comments 50
My friend was taken off life support at the age of 22 after getting into a fight outside of a bar, falling backwards and hitting his head in just the wrong spot. His parents chose to take him off life support just 2 days later. I could never understand how they did that so quickly. I attribute it to their devout faith. I can't imagine how hard of a decision that must be :/ I was just his friend and 4 years later I still wonder if he might have recovered had they waited just a bit longer.
CPN, I'm sorry to hear about your friend. As I read your story, it sounded exactly like what happened to a friend of mine about 8 years ago. He was 24, got into a fight leaving a bar, fell back and hit his head in a particular spot and he never regained conciousness. Three days later his parents took him off life support and donated his organs. :(
I feel like asking Usher to support her child at the expense of the other kids is not really fair. He's probably upset as well but not being a mom, a little more rational than she is right now. I wouldn't want to ask if I were her because I wouldn't want to have him tell me no because he isn't going to get better. If you were in the position of believing doctors, you would essentially be extending a life of suffering with no hope. It's just a terrible situation.
This is so horrible. From a mothers perspective, I can see why she doesnt want to make that decision. From an outsider's POV, I would say end the life support. With brain death there is no coming back, and IMO you're basically keeping the body from deteriorating but the mind and spirit is already gone.
Usher is not this child's father apparently this child has a very rich father why isn't he taking responsibility? I have no doubt she gets an outrageous amount of money from both men a month don't whine to the tabloids about being broke. This is a tragic accident no parent should have to deal with brain dead is not the same as brain damage this is where people get confused. Unfortunately this child is dead there is no brain activity whatsoever machines are keeping his body alive but everything that little boy was is gone. Sorry if this comes of as harsh but she should celebrate his life by donating his organs and saving other children that have a chance at a healthy life.
No comments about Obamacare then?