Two Parents Diagnosed With Terminal Illnesses Must Painfully Decide Who Will Raise Their Kids

For partnered parents, the idea of who would raise your children after your own passing only goes so far. Thoughts of future step-parents may perhaps give some mothers and fathers some comfort, as well as the participation of grandparents. But relying on your other half in the instance in which you were diagnosed with a terminal illness can certainly help alleviate some of those parental panics. Unless, both of you were diagnosed with terminal illnesses.

Daily Mail reports that Paul and Clare Coulston, a couple in their 30s with two small children, have both been diagnosed with fatal conditions. The husband and wife have been dealing with Clare’s oesophageal cancer since her diagnosis in 2009. She has since been given only a 30 percent chance of survival. But the father of her children, who are aged four to six respectively, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in the spring of this year. And his life expectancy does not exceed five years.

While the parents are trying to stay healthy and be diligent about treatments and medications, they’re also rightfully concerned about their children. Clare told the publication:

“We’ve had to think about guardianship for the children, trustees – all the questions you don’t want to have to ask or the places you don’t want to go, we’ve had to sit down and realistically think about. We’re lucky in that we’ve got a really good support network of family and friends. That’s everything – it’s what keeps you going day to day.”

Ensuring that your children are well cared for your in your demise is a reality that many parents prepare for. But mutually acknowledging that neither of you will be there for graduations, birthdays, and many others firsts, is a stifling plight.

(photo: zimmytws/ Shutterstock)