Dying 2-year-old son to be US couple's best man

Image
AP Jeannette (US)
Last Updated : Aug 01 2013 | 10:45 PM IST
A 2-year-old boy with only weeks to live will serve as best man when his parents wed this weekend.
Sean Stevenson and Christine Swidorsky, of Jeannette, had planned to wed next year, but decided to move the ceremony up to Saturday so their son, Logan, who has leukemia and other complications, could participate.
"We want Logan in our family pictures, and we want him to see his mother and dad get married," Swidorsky said. Her 13-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, Isabella Johns, will be a bridesmaid and the couple's 1-year-old daughter, Savannah, will be the flower girl.
Logan has Fanconi anemia, a rare disease that often causes cancer. He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at 14 months old and had a stem cell transplant a year ago. He lost one kidney to a tumor in March and now has a mass on his other kidney.
Last week, doctors told the couple the boy would live only two to three weeks more.
"It'll be the hardest thing I'll ever do, is bury my son," Stevenson said. "You know it's coming and you can't do anything about it."
Family and friends have pitched in to organize the wedding, while Logan spends his last few days resting in his parents' home.
Swidorsky said the couple expects about 100 people to attend the wedding.
"The best thing for Logan is to be home with his parents," she said, adding doctors told the couple "he would be in more pain in the hospital."
"I just am thankful that I am able to bring my son home and have time with him and hold him before he goes," Stevenson said. "So, in that sense, I feel lucky that I at least get to say goodbye to my son ... And tell him it's going to be OK." Swidorsky said she's learned a lot from Logan.
"He's made me a better person," she said. "He's just an angel from heaven and I'm going to miss him.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 01 2013 | 10:45 PM IST

Next Story