A Life Well Lived

Germany is mourning the death of Tim Guido, dubbed the country’s “most famous foster child.” Halfway through pregnancy, doctors told Tim’s mother he had Down syndrome and she attempted to end his life by a late-term abortion. He was only one-and-a-half pounds at birth, so nurses wrapped him in a towel and left him to die. Nine hours later he was still alive, so Tim was given medical care and miraculously survived. He was placed in the foster home of Bernhard and Simone Guido who later adopted him and were untiring advocates for children with disabilities born and unborn. Tim died at twenty-one after contracting a lung infection. His unique life generated lots of media attention, so many in Germany knew him. His was a life well-lived.