In Quincy, Illinois, the parents of a baby boy are urgently seeking medical help for their son, who suffers from a rare heart condition. Baby Emmett Deming has been diagnosed with Ebstein’s anomaly, a congenital defect affecting the tricuspid valve in the heart. This condition can lead to an enlarged heart, irregular heartbeat, and heart failure, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
“We’ve seen many kids with Ebstein’s not make it,” said Emmett’s mother, Abagail Deming. “It’s terrifying because we know that could be his outcome.”
Emmett is just two months shy of his first birthday. His parents, Cody and Abagail Deming, are searching for a specialized doctor or facility that can treat his condition effectively.
“We’ve reached out to hundreds of places, including Memphis, Houston, San Diego, and Cincinnati,” Abagail Deming said. “We’ve contacted every hospital we could find.”
The Demings have been at St. Louis Children’s Hospital for several months, but Emmett’s condition has not improved.
“He had his procedure on April 1,” Abagail Deming noted. “And he hasn’t recovered since.”
The Demings have found that St. Louis Children’s Hospital does not specialize in the treatment Emmett needs. They have spent weeks contacting their insurance and pleading for help, but Emmett’s health continues to deteriorate.
“It has been weeks of calling insurance,” Abagail Deming said. “We’ve sent pictures of Emmett, begging for help. Meanwhile, he’s getting sicker and sicker.”
Desperate for a solution, the Demings have turned to social media and fundraising to gather support from their community.
Time is critical for Emmett. The Demings are focused on finding the right medical provider.
“We talked to his primary care doctor yesterday,” Abagail Deming said. “We need to make progress while he’s still here. We want to get him the help he needs so he can leave his bed and experience more of life outside. We’ve been here so long; we’re ready to go home.”
The Demings continue to hope for a breakthrough that will lead to effective treatment for their son.
