A video of a Chinese mother kissing the gravestone of her son, who died from a rare genetic disorder at the age of three, has captured hearts online.
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The 34-year-old woman from Henan province, central China, using the handle @jubaomama, lost her son, Jubao, to a type of ARX gene mutation, a rare condition that can lead to infantile spasms and intellectual disability.
She shared that no issues were detected during her pregnancy with Jubao, and the genetic disorder only became apparent after his birth. He was diagnosed in June 2021, and doctors informed her that the condition was incurable.
Undeterred, she sought help from doctors across the country, caring for him devotedly while sacrificing her work and attention for her elder son.
Jubao was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit 27 times, with his mother spending a staggering two million yuan (US$280,000) on treatment – her hair even turned grey in the process.
Jubao died in April 2023, despite the fact that the usual life expectancy for the condition is typically just 18 months.
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At his burial, she shared online that she chose a “big house” for him – an expansive grave just five minutes from their home – so he could “play freely”.
Initially, she visited Jubao’s grave almost daily, struggling to cope with her loss after having fought so hard to keep him alive.