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Terminally ill toddler's parents sell everything and take her on holiday -- PD*Poll

Categories: Toddlers, Medical conditions, In the news

Three-year-old Caitlin Powell is living every tot's dream: her parents have sold their home and quit their jobs and are devoting their days to taking Caitlin and her seven-year-old sister on a series of fabulous vacations. Next month the family will go to Florida; next year they are planning an African safari.

But this isn't all fun and games; Caitlin has Sanfilippo Syndrome, a degenerative neurological condition that will eventually render her incapable of caring for herself or functioning normally. Doctors have told her parents that she will most likely not live past the age of 12.

Emma and Ben Powell, Caitlin's parents, have decided to face their tragedy by turning their remaining years with Caitlin into one big adventure. They have sold their home and quit their jobs and are planning to travel with Caitlin and her sister for as long as they can. "'I can't think about the future with Caitlin, it breaks my heart," says Emma. "She won't be with us for very long so myself and Ben have made a conscious decision to make every day special for her from now on."

Caitlin's story is truly heart wrenching, and her parents seem to have found a way to cope with their inevitable loss. At the same time, though, there is an element of irresponsibility to their plan. According to Caitlin's father, there will come a point where she needs full-time care, which is costly. I can't help but wonder how the Powells are planning to pay for Caitlin's care after all those years of vacations.

What do you think of the Powell's decision?

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