“Our Son’s Life Is On The Line.”

Four days ago, Juan Carlos’ parents found themselves living every family’s worst nightmare.

They had just come from a meeting with the hospital’s medical team—what they described as “easily the worst and most painful moment of our lives.”

Their baby had suffered a lack of oxygen during birth just days earlier, and doctors gave a very grim prognosis. Initial EEGs showed no brain activity. The hospital convened an “ethics committee” meeting to discuss Juan Carlos’ care—or, more accurately, to inform the family that they would be withdrawing care. 

The hospital’s legal department insisted on administering a brain death exam. They explained that if the baby “passed” the test, they would declare Juan Carlos “dead” and remove his breathing tube, ending his life.

A former Life Legal client connected us with Juan Carlos’ family, and our medical advisor—an experienced RN—stayed in constant contact with them. He helped the family navigate the ethics meeting and advocate for their son.

The hospital relented. They agreed to perform one final EEG to check for brain activity before removing life support. The EEG showed active brainwaves! The neurologist ordered rehabilitative treatment and recommended transferring the newborn to a higher-level care facility.

Once again, we see that doctors don’t always get it right. While we deeply respect the work of physicians, they are sometimes too hasty in deciding to withdraw care. This is not only evident in our experience but also supported by recent studies showing that patients who are given extra time often make remarkable recoveries.

Juan Carlos is two weeks old today. He is opening his eyes, moving his head, and able to breathe on his own. Our former client sent us this text yesterday: 

We are profoundly grateful to God—and to you—that Juan Carlos’ life was spared. Your support makes it possible for us to have a medical expert on our team: a nurse with extensive experience in treating patients with brain injuries. His presence not only equips our legal team with critical insight for building the right strategy but also provides families with compassionate, trustworthy guidance—someone who can explain complex medical terms and offer sound counsel during an incredibly overwhelming time.