Today I learned from the Associated Press that Shiloh Pepin, the mermaid girl, has died at the age of 10.  I remember watching the story of this little girl who suffered from a very rare genetic disorder mermaid syndrome in which her legs were fused together.  She only had 1 kidney, no genitalia, and no anus.  Despite her condition, she was a happy and bubbly child.  Not once did she ever complain about her condition.  She was surrounded by the people who loved her unconditionally.  The doctor had predicted that she would only survived days after her birth, yet she beat against the odds and lived until the age of 10.  She died from a cold that turned into pneumonia. 

It’s very rare for me to get emotional over someone whom I’ve only seen on tv.  People say how bad TV is for you and yet certain characters continue to inspire me in a good way.  Shiloh without a doubt was an angel sent from heaven.  She reminds me of my little nephew who was born without his anus among other problems.  Though his condition is nowhere near Shiloh’s, but he is still struggling over series of surgeries.   

Sometimes we are questioning why things are happening the way it is.  Do we have a purpose in life?  During her short life, Shiloh continues to inspire millions of people during her appearance on TLC that happiness is around us.  You just have to find it.  Despite of complaining about things that are happening to us or feeling sorry about ourselves, maybe we just have to learn to live with it.

All I can say right now is although I’m saddened that Shiloh is no longer with us, but I know she is in a better place.  Wherever she is now, she’s looking down to us and smiling.

The mermaid girl

Tags: mermaid girl, shiloh pepin

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