He was born with a death sentence.
The doctors spoke gently as she wept.
She was overcome by the diagnosis of hydrocephalus.
She carried him for 9 months. He couldn’t have a disability.
How could she create a defective child?
They told her to institutionalize him.
You won’t be able to manage his condition.
She refused. He’s my son. I’ll always love and care for him.
He is 59 now. Sits on the floor staring at the wall – any wall.
He just stares and holds his little jar of batteries he calls his friends.
A boy in an adult body.
2016©Isadora DeLaVega
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
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***** My brother was born with this illness. Although his jar wasn’t filled with batteries, the photo immediately brought him to mind.
***** Hydrocephalus (from Greek hydro-, meaning “water”, and kephalos, meaning “head”) is a rare medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. This causes increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and may cause progressive enlargement of the head if it occurs in childhood, potentially causing convulsion, tunnel vision, and mental disability. It was once informally called “Water on the brain.” information from wikipedia