Azaylia Cain

[LetsGoChamp]

I can’t stop thinking about this poor little girl. My heart hurts for her family. I know she’s not the only child fighting a life threatening illness but she’s all I’ve thought about today.

Sorry if this post upsets anybody that is familiar with this little girl.

I'm not going to get into a back and forth over it because I really do think it would be disrespectful considering the nature of what this thread is about but there absolutely have been comments about whether or not its tasteful/they should or shouldnt be sharing the videos and pictures that they are, some posting what they personally think is best for this child. I am simply saying I dont really think that anyone here knows better than those parents. they are doing an amazing job that hopefully none of us ever have to go through.

I don't think it's fair to call people out for being monsters for questioning if it's all the right thing for azaylia. It's only human for people to want the absolute best. No one has said its outright wrong or being judgemental, but have given their opinion because theyve grown to care for the girl and family. I've never said what is the right thing, just questioned whether it is.
I know from experience of dealing with a close loved one and seeing them slowly die in front of me. One consolation is that I'm sure the Dr's would have to stand in and say she needs to stay in hospital and being at home isn't good for her and I do trust that they would listen to that.

That last video of her in the ambulance was distressing. I do think at this stage they need to take a step back from posting pictures of her, for azaylia's dignity.
I'm going to stop watching and posting now though. I really don't think she's got long left now. I hope she gets to go home and stay home and pass away peacefully with her family around her, there's no doubt the love they have.

@Sugarbelle agreed. I think there's a time and place for debating issues surrounding social media and this is not it. They share what they feel comfortable sharing and people can then choose to watch it or not. My heart goes out to them and Azaylia, it's absolutely awful seeing her in such a bad way, it must be 1000x worse for her parents and family.

@Justanticipating

I don't think it's fair to call people out for being monsters for questioning if it's all the right thing for azaylia. It's only human for people to want the absolute best. No one has said its outright wrong or being judgemental, but have given their opinion because theyve grown to care for the girl and family. I've never said what is the right thing, just questioned whether it is. I know from experience of dealing with a close loved one and seeing them slowly die in front of me. One consolation is that I'm sure the Dr's would have to stand in and say she needs to stay in hospital and being at home isn't good for her and I do trust that they would listen to that.

That last video of her in the ambulance was distressing. I do think at this stage they need to take a step back from posting pictures of her, for azaylia's dignity.
I'm going to stop watching and posting now though. I really don't think she's got long left now. I hope she gets to go home and stay home and pass away peacefully with her family around her, there's no doubt the love they have.

Society absolutely needs people who question the ethics of this type of social media exposure.

@BalladOfBarryAndFreda yes of course but it's derailing a thread that is supposed to be offering support to those that have been effected by Azaylia's story & I don't think criticising her parents who are going through hell on earth is a good way to get a point across.

I have just broken down after watching the latest stories, I can't stop crying. That poor baby and her parents. No baby should ever have to suffer like this. Her parents are doing everything that they can and that they feel is right, shame on the people who judge their actions.

Society absolutely needs people who question the ethics of this type of social media exposure

there is a time and a place. it's really distasteful.

@BalladOfBarryAndFreda.

It doesn’t need to be done now, on this thread. Surely you can see that.

@Sugarbelle

Society absolutely needs people who question the ethics of this type of social media exposure

there is a time and a place. it's really distasteful.

Agreed. The time for any discussion is not now.

Please let’s keep this thread to positive and loving thoughts for Azaylia and her parents.

Did anyone do the clap last night? I was on my way to the gym when I read about it annoyingly. I might do one tonight with my kids in our garden. Even if it’s too late for the official one, I’d like to take a few moments to send positivity to Azaylia with my little ones involved x

@Yapplepearora

I can get why people feel the way they do about the Instagram stories. The poor thing looks exhausted. However the parents are probably in denial about how fast her deterioration has been and are probably trying to squeeze every last bit of joy they can get with her. I’m sure she’ll be on strong painkillers, and will be tucked up in bed cosy with mummy and daddy now.

The father said he took her off the pain medication as she was spaced out. I found this quite disturbing. It’s a horrible situation but I do wonder how much dignity there is for the baby being all over social media. I suppose the parents are doing whatever they need to do to cope. They’ve got a tough road ahead of them. It’s very sad.

I don't think society needs to 'question the ethics' at all.

They are parents, in the most horrendous situation, doing the best they can.

They have had very little in the way of choice throughout their daughters life and they have chosen to show their baby off to the world. Long after people have forgotten about their sweet girl they will have all these memories, who could question that?

Nobody should judge their choice here at all. They could be any of us. Could you imagine going through what they are going through and having strangers openly questioning if you are doing the best thing for your baby?

Exactly. This is exactly what i picked out (being off the pain meds) and that was why I was also asking if she should be out instead of resting.
But I suppose I'm not allowed to air my concerns.

I really do pray for her parents. its really tough and they are so strong, I don't know how they are getting through this.

I agree Posting it may be the only way to get through it for them. I pray for the little girl.

I have hardly slept looking at her face repeatedly in that ambulance 😥😥

is this where society has got to now, where we are watching a child deteriorate in real time, from a device that lives in our hands/pockets

Yes - which I don’t see as a bad thing. Them sharing their tiny baby’s life and all that encompasses has shown me a side of life I had hoped I/any other parent never had to experience. I hold my baby a little tighter now, I care less about the small things I once did, waking up in the middle of the night is almost nice because I get to see him again. It’s completely changed my outlook to see how life is very different for some families. It’s precious and I was ignorant to think otherwise before.

Social media is frequently flamed for only sharing the good, this family has gone against the grain and shared their real life, as harrowing as that is. I think they’re great, both as parents and as people, they’ve educated themselves and have been nothing but dignified. I hope they carry on this strength.

It is such a sad situation. I only learned about her a few weeks ago through someone posting on social media, and the whole story is incredibly sad.

I am in two minds about whether it's right for social media or not.

If I'm honest, I feel uncomfortable watching some of the stories. I feel like their time with their little girl should be made the most of and kept private, and it just doesn't seem right to see some of the videos (like someone else has mentioned, the ambulance videos were just haunting).

But then at the same time, I think awareness of childhood illness is SO important, to show people what others are going through, and to let those coping with similar situations know they're not alone.

It's a really tough one.

But, ultimately, it's down to her parents how they choose to deal with it. The little girl doesn't know/understand/care that she's on social media so it makes no difference from that respect. If this is how they choose to cope then so be it.

You do not have to follow the accounts.

I would urge people to remember that these are incredibly normal people in a desperate situation, and that creating posts making comments about how they choose to deal with it really isn't helpful.

I just feel so sad for them all, obviously. I hope they have the right support, but with them being back and forward to hospital with the wee one, I worry that they're not getting that. I'm obviously naive to this, but I presumed end of life care would involve as little moving around as they could manage. I hope they're all able to find some peace, and little Azaylia is comfortable wherever they are. Terribly sad.

I do also think that it is possible to share a story without pictures of her involved. Its amazing to raise awareness and they have every right to tell her story but we don't need to see/watch her going through it to feel moved or educated.

I just think that no one has to watch or view their social media content if it makes you feel uncomfortable. You dont have to follow it.

why does anyone on here think that they get to say what they should or shouldnt be doing? it's really annoying me and making me want to stop engaging with the thread which is really sad because that's not what the OP intended. I know it was posted in AIBU but really, if it's not your cup of tea then just scroll past.

I really don't think this is the thread to be discussing and pondering these thoughts on. He never said he took her off of her pain meds at all, what a damaging accusation to throw around, he said he lowered them and that she was laughing & interacting much more afterwards.
If you're really coming to this thread to criticise the parents of a dying child who are trying their bloody best to navigate this awful situation and make their daughter feel loved then you really are just heartless.

Just so sad. I only learned about Azaylia and her family very recently and I just can't comprehend what her poor parents are going through right now. I was heartened to find this thread as it's all I can think about at the moment.

The Instagram stories are very distressing, they have been so brave to share so candidly the horror of childhood cancer and I hope the outpouring of love and support from the public that they are drawing strength from now continues on and helps to sustain them over the dark time that they're facing ahead.

Of course its possible to share without photos, but they want to show off their baby, they want the world to fall in love with her, and we have.

Aside from that their photos and videos will likely help people in the future.

I have had two very ill kids and I had no clue what to expect, what they would look like at varying stages of their illnesses, what was 'normal' for their conditions or what would happen when they died. There is very little information out there, and their choice to share their beautiful daughter with the world will help countless people.

@Sugarbelle it's a shame as the thread was so supportive before and made me feel a bit more sane about how much this has upset me but now it's just making me deeply angry