Maine girl with 'mermaid syndrome' dies at 10 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 10-24-2009, 02:35 PM

PORTLAND, Maine – Shiloh Pepin, a girl who was born with fused legs, a rare condition often called "mermaid syndrome," and gained a wide following on the Internet and national television, has died. She was 10.

Doctors had predicted she would only survive only for days after her birth at the most, but the girl, described by her mother as "a tough little thing," died at Maine Medical Center on Friday afternoon, hospital spokesman John Lamb said. She had been hospitalized in critical condition for nearly a week.

Being born with "mermaid syndrome," also known as sirenomelia, meant that the Kennebunkport girl had only one partially working kidney, no lower colon or genital organs and legs fused from the waist down.

Some children who have survived sirenomelia have had surgery to separate their legs, but Shiloh did not because blood vessels crossing from side to side in her circulatory system would have been severed. She had received two kidney transplants, the last one in 2007.

Her story was featured recently on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and other national television programs.

Earlier this month, her mother, Leslie Pepin, said her daughter came down with a cold that quickly turned to pneumonia. Shiloh rushed to Maine Medical Center on Oct. 10 and was placed on antibiotics and a ventilator.

For a while, Leslie Pepin said, things were looking up. "She's a tough little thing," she said of her daughter earlier this week.

Shiloh was a fifth-grader at Kennebunkport Consolidated School. "She was such a shining personality in that building," said Maureen King, chairwoman of the board of the regional school district. Counselors will be available next week to talk to students.

Through the television shows, news articles, Facebook and other Web sites, Shiloh inspired many.

"I live in Iowa. I have cerebral palsy. I love your video," 12-year-old Lydia Dawley wrote to Shiloh on Facebook. "You have a great personality I wish you lived close so we could be friends and hang out. You opened my eyes because you are so brave."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091024/...s_obit_pepin_6

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 10-24-2009, 02:37 PM

Ugh, this is so sad to me. I remember watching the documentary on her on the discovery channel and thinking she had a great personality and was very bright for her age. The way she handled it was admirable and she didn't take crap from people either. Poor thing. RIP

Courtnee · 10-24-2009, 04:02 PM

I know! She was so sweet!

The good ones die young.

Chocoholic · 10-24-2009, 04:12 PM

What a sweetie. May she rest in peace.

Marvo301 · 10-24-2009, 04:18 PM

Thank-you Shiloh for the many lessons you taught us. My thoughts and prayers are with the Pepin family at this difficult time.

sunshinefizzy · 10-24-2009, 04:38 PM

She's with the angels now. Bless her.

catlover79 · 10-24-2009, 09:58 PM

coffield3 · 10-24-2009, 10:06 PM

Very sad! God bless her!

OH Nuts! · 10-24-2009, 10:13 PM

What a brave, spunky and sweet little kid. May God bless her and I hope she's at peace now.

Nighthawk76 · 10-24-2009, 11:29 PM

This was really sad.

Janice · 10-25-2009, 12:36 AM

How sad. The poor girl, with an entire life in front of her, yet cut short. God bless her.

Family Ties Forever! · 10-25-2009, 12:46 AM

So sad to hear.

beautifuldreamer · 10-25-2009, 01:01 AM

So sad... this girl was amazing, and will always be remembered!

Shiloh

Theda Bara · 10-25-2009, 03:38 AM

Now, she is truly a mermaid, in heaven. God Bless, Shiloh

10-24-2009, 02:35 PM	#1
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Maine girl with 'mermaid syndrome' dies at 10 PORTLAND, Maine – Shiloh Pepin, a girl who was born with fused legs, a rare condition often called "mermaid syndrome," and gained a wide following on the Internet and national television, has died. She was 10. Doctors had predicted she would only survive only for days after her birth at the most, but the girl, described by her mother as "a tough little thing," died at Maine Medical Center on Friday afternoon, hospital spokesman John Lamb said. She had been hospitalized in critical condition for nearly a week. Being born with "mermaid syndrome," also known as sirenomelia, meant that the Kennebunkport girl had only one partially working kidney, no lower colon or genital organs and legs fused from the waist down. Some children who have survived sirenomelia have had surgery to separate their legs, but Shiloh did not because blood vessels crossing from side to side in her circulatory system would have been severed. She had received two kidney transplants, the last one in 2007. Her story was featured recently on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and other national television programs. Earlier this month, her mother, Leslie Pepin, said her daughter came down with a cold that quickly turned to pneumonia. Shiloh rushed to Maine Medical Center on Oct. 10 and was placed on antibiotics and a ventilator. For a while, Leslie Pepin said, things were looking up. "She's a tough little thing," she said of her daughter earlier this week. Shiloh was a fifth-grader at Kennebunkport Consolidated School. "She was such a shining personality in that building," said Maureen King, chairwoman of the board of the regional school district. Counselors will be available next week to talk to students. Through the television shows, news articles, Facebook and other Web sites, Shiloh inspired many. "I live in Iowa. I have cerebral palsy. I love your video," 12-year-old Lydia Dawley wrote to Shiloh on Facebook. "You have a great personality I wish you lived close so we could be friends and hang out. You opened my eyes because you are so brave." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091024/...s_obit_pepin_6
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

10-24-2009, 04:02 PM	#3
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	I know! She was so sweet! The good ones die young.
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

10-24-2009, 04:18 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Thank-you Shiloh for the many lessons you taught us. My thoughts and prayers are with the Pepin family at this difficult time.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

10-24-2009, 09:58 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-24-2009, 10:06 PM	#8
coffield3 <3 Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 23, 2006 Location: England Posts: 7,379	Very sad! God bless her!
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10-24-2009, 02:37 PM	#2
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Ugh, this is so sad to me. I remember watching the documentary on her on the discovery channel and thinking she had a great personality and was very bright for her age. The way she handled it was admirable and she didn't take crap from people either. Poor thing. RIP

10-24-2009, 04:12 PM	#4
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	What a sweetie. May she rest in peace.

10-24-2009, 04:38 PM	#6
sunshinefizzy Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 27, 2006 Location: Craptown Posts: 2,054	She's with the angels now. Bless her.

10-24-2009, 10:13 PM	#9
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	What a brave, spunky and sweet little kid. May God bless her and I hope she's at peace now.

10-24-2009, 11:29 PM	#10
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	This was really sad.

10-25-2009, 12:36 AM	#11
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	How sad. The poor girl, with an entire life in front of her, yet cut short. God bless her.

10-25-2009, 12:46 AM	#12
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	So sad to hear.
	__________________ Jenny

10-25-2009, 01:01 AM	#13
beautifuldreamer Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 30, 2009 Location: In a constant state of oblivion Posts: 1,361	So sad... this girl was amazing, and will always be remembered! Shiloh
	__________________ “According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” ~Jerry Seinfeld

10-25-2009, 03:38 AM	#14
Theda Bara Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 27, 2006 Posts: 7,154	Now, she is truly a mermaid, in heaven. God Bless, Shiloh