As parents, we do everything in our power to care for and protect our children. Sometimes, that means offering a helping hand, and other times, it simply means showing affection. But what happens when a moment of affection leads to tragedy?

Meet Breelyn, a beautiful baby girl who was born happy and healthy. However, her life took a drastic turn when someone kissed her on the mouth at just two days old. Little did anyone know, that person had a cold sore, which transmitted the herpes simplex virus (HSV) to Breelyn.

Being so young, Breelyn’s immune system was defenseless against the virus. As a result, it spread throughout her body, reaching her brain and causing encephalitis. The consequences were severe – brain damage that would impact her for the rest of her life.

Breelyn’s mother bravely shared their story on the Special Books by Special Kids YouTube Channel, advocating for the importance of not kissing young children. She explained, “When parents say not to kiss your children, this is one of the reasons for sure.”

The seizures that followed the infection caused significant damage to Breelyn’s brain. She was diagnosed with Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), a rare disease that affects just over 500,000 people globally each year.

The left side of her brain was most affected, with approximately 60% of brain tissue damaged. The right side also suffered, with 10% damage. Sadly, Breelyn’s prognosis is not optimistic, as she is not expected to live into adulthood.

Despite the tremendous challenges she faces every day, Breelyn’s mother has found it in her heart to forgive the person responsible for unintentionally causing her daughter’s suffering. It was an accident, and they never meant for this to happen.

This heart-wrenching story serves as a reminder to all of us: the importance of being mindful of our actions, especially towards those who are most vulnerable. Let us cherish and protect our little ones, showering them with love and affection that keeps them safe and healthy.