Nov 22 2008
The World Fondly Remembers Isaiah Cairns
Isaiah Cairns was a beautiful baby boy who suffered from Tay-Sachs disease. He passed away this past week. He touched the lives of the people who knew him. It is also quite apparent from visiting websites that he was very well-loved and cared for by his family and community.
Tay-Sachs is a rare disease of the nervous system that tends to attack people of Jewish, Irish, and Eastern European descent. It occurs around the time an infant hits 6-months-old. Due to the lack of a certain enzyme in the DNA, nerve cells are unable to get rid of toxins. This causes loss of mental and physical capabilities, such as muscle control and vision. Children suffering from the disease typically die between the ages of 2 and 4. It is possible to test to see if a person is a carrier of the disease if they wish, however this test is completely optional.
Isaiah’s parents informed Fox News that Isaiah has taught them so much about living. They opted for him to go without a feeding tube when he lost the ability to swallow so he would not have to suffer any longer. During his life, Isaiah’s community in Blue Springs, MO raised over $12,000 to help the family with funeral costs, medical equipment, as well as funding for the Tay-Sachs foundation.
To help support the search of a cure, please contact:
The Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation
12730 Triskett Rd. Cleveland, OH 44111
(p) (216) 812-5855
(f) (216) 251-6728
To learn more about Isaiah’s life and the impact he made on those around him, please visit this site:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/isaiahproject
