Mother: “Here’s why I’m sharing my daughter’s last moments on Facebook”
When Zoey’s cancer was discovered, she was just three years old.
Before illness struck, she was full of vitality and constantly on the go, just like so many other kids. She grew up in a loving home. She was affectionate, fun, and joyful.
Zoey tripped while playing one day. She lost control of both hands a few weeks later.
When Zoey’s family noticed anything was wrong with her, they immediately took her to the hospital.
When they came, they heard something that will stay with them forever and leave a message that they will never forget.
The physician informed them that DIPG, a rare and severe brain tumor, was present in their cherished young daughter, who was so full of life and love.
We didn’t know what to do, where to go. We were told it’s pretty much a death sentence,” her mother Casey explained.
A tragedy and nightmare never to be wished upon one’s worst enemy would befall the family.
But they managed to remain calm and make an effort to be resilient for Zoey’s sake. Zoey would undergo numerous cancer treatments over the ensuing two years.
The family located a radiation therapy facility in Germany where Zoey did well. But eventually, she stopped answering.
She quickly started to feel worse. Unthinkable things were about to occur.
In her American home on July 4, 2018, Zoey peacefully passed away.
Her parents knew they could have some beautiful last moments together, despite the fact that their family was inevitably devastated by her impending death.
Up until her final minutes, Zoey continued to spread joy. Her parents asked all relatives and friends to come home to them and see her before it was too late.
Now, her mother has bravely decided to share the family’s last moment together on Facebook.
“I shared it because even though it’s a painful moment, it’s a beautiful moment in our eyes,” Casey mentioned.
The picture shows mom and dad with their arms around their precious daughter.
They’d sat down on the couch with the family’s dog. They’d spent the day to singing Disney songs. A Harry Potter movie played on television. And amidst the peace, the calmness, Zoey was suddenly gone.
The world is going to learn about Zoey. We will keep giving back and spreading love and light to the world since she has given us so much of it.
After about half the movie, Zoey’s heart stopped beating.
“I had seen a handful of families sharing moments and originally I didn’t think I was going to share it. ‘But I thought: “I want a photo like that taken”. I want those moments captured so I can remember them forever even when my brain is gone,” she explained.
On the Facebook page Zoey’s Light, the family now wants to spread the hope and light that Zoey gave the world all those years before her death. They want Zoey to inspire others to help each other, and to love each other fully, gratefully — one ordinary day at a time.
What Caseby and Ben got to experience, no mom or dad would ever have to go through.
Casey and Ben, you have been the most amazing Mom and Dad ever. My prayers will continue forever. Zoey is now an angel looking over all of us.
Rest in peace, sweet Zoey.
