Jimmy Kimmel Gives Optimistic Update on His Baby’s Condition
Giving birth only to immediately discover something is wrong with your baby is one of the most frightening things a parent can experience. It happened to me with my son when he was born with persistent pulmonary hypertension. It happens to hundreds of other parents out there. And it also happened to late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel earlier this year. Kimmel and wife Molly McNearney’s son was rushed to the NICU immediately after birth. It was incredibly difficult situation for the pair. Fortunately, Jimmy Kimmel has now updated us on his baby’s condition, and things are looking much better.
So How Is Jimmy Kimmel’s Son Doing?
Little William John (Billy) Kimmel was born with a congenital heart disease back in May. Kimmel shared that his son was rushed into surgery, and that it was successful. ”He’ll need another surgery in a few months, when he’s bigger, and one more in his early teens,” he told viewers of his talk show.
Then on Friday, Kimmel shared this adorable photo of his obviously thriving son, and an update on his condition:
Billy is 3 months old & doing great. Thx for the love & support. Please remind your Congresspeople that every kid deserves the care he got pic.twitter.com/XcvvM6XFJ3
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) July 21, 2017
When Billy was born, Kimmel took to his talk show to explain what a harrowing experience it was. More importantly, he detailed how eye-opening it was for him to realize that there are parents who might lose their babies due to lack of health insurance or money in general.
”We were brought up to believe that we live in the greatest country in the world, but until a few years ago, millions and millions of us had no access to health insurance at all. Before 2014, if you were born with congenital heart disease like my son was, there was a good chance you would never be able to get health insurance because you had a preexisting condition,” Kimmel shared in his tearful monologue last May. He was adamant about how important it is for so many families in the country to keep the Affordable Care Act alive, especially right now in the face of repeal and replacement by “TrumpCare” or the new healthcare act that would surely spell disaster for many.
”I saw a lot of families [at the hospital], and no parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child’s life. It just shouldn’t happen. Not here,” Kimmel stated. As a former NICU mom, I wholeheartedly agree.
(Image: Twitter / @mollymcnearney)