Every photo has a story behind it. Recently, a viral photo of a baby hugging his twin already tugged the heartstrings of many but the story behind it would probably make anyone weep buckets of tears.
Twin babies Hawk and Mason were born prematurely to parents Tommy Buchmeyer and Brandy Guettler on August 18. Huffington Post reports that Brandy's pregnancy was delicate and the twins were both born with an unhealthy condition.
Shortly after the delivery, Mason was sent to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) while Hawk was diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Hawk had to undergo surgery on Aug. 30.
But before Hawk was sent to the operation room, he shared a touching moment with his twin brother Mason that their parents were able to capture in a snapshot. CBS 12 reports that as per the nurse's suggestion, Brandy laid Mason beside Hawk. When Mason felt Hawk's skin, he immediately grabbed his brother's arm and smiled.
Brandy and Tommy shared the photo on social media with the caption, "The picture was taken 11 days after they were born, it's the first time they have ever touched, and as soon as Mason felt Hawk he reached out for his arm and smiled this big. We thought it was time for everyone pulling for our boy to see this picture."
That love for each other, which was immortalized by the photo and a thousand shares on Facebook, was one of the last moments of Hawk and Mason together. But Hawk died from CDH six days later.
According to Boston Children's Hospital, a CDH is a hole in the diaphragm that makes it possible for organs from the abdomen to move into the chest. This means that the infected baby will be experiencing difficulties to breathe properly.
It is a rare disease that affects one in every 2,500 babies. As per Boston Children's Hospital, the annual success rate of their treatments to babies with such a case is at 90 percent. Sadly, for Hawk, he was not able to survive.
Tommy and Brandy, who have shared the news about Hawk's passing in Facebook, received condolences from the followers of their story all over the world. The parents ask that they be given the time to grieve for their little boy's death.
After reading the story behind the viral photo, how did it affect you? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section. Follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
