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Usher's Stepson

Family Can't Afford to Keep

Him Alive Much Longer

7/15/2012 6:00 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF








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Brain dead or not, the legal guardian is the only person that can authorize to have life support shut off. The doctors cannot stop in the middle of treatment and ask "is this covered by insurance", and they cannot turn off the life support.

608 days ago


A bit Dramatic TMZ.. NO hospital can throw out a person dying! Or anyone for that matter!

608 days ago


Its difficult but you come to a point when you know that it's best to let go. There remain no real quality of life and it's just the machines doing the work.

It's time to release his soul from this earthly plain.

608 days ago

South Beach    

Every parents nightmare. Do not confuse brain death with a vegetative state. Brain death is irreversible, there is no coming back. There is no electrical impulses in the brain, the neurons are dying. This is not the case with a vegetative state. It is the legal definition of death in all 50 states and beyond. It's a heartbreaking medical reality.

As a parent my heart breaks for this mother, being forced into this position. But this is not about "bad" insurance or anyone being "cheap". So very sorry, bless this child.

608 days ago





608 days ago

Geraldine Santoli    

So sad, may you have strength and heart!

608 days ago


As hard as it will be it is time to give him back to GOD he is in his hands now, you had him for only a short time but now he is being called back to his maker let him go and find peace and joy in the time you had with your son.

608 days ago


That young man's death is tragic--but he is dead. Brain death is the irreversible loss of brain function. He will never "recover." The insurance company giving her another month to keep a death body breathing is frankly generous--it is money that should be spent on treating people who have a chance of survival, not this. It is true that the hospital won't "unplug" him if insurance stops paying for it, but it will expect someone to cover the bills and no one--not even Usher--has the kind of money it would take to continue this long term. However, brain dead people tend not to survive, even with these kinds of heroic measures. Other organs begin failing. Usher "stepping up" would not be doing his ex-wife or is stepson any favors. What she needs is help to learn to grieve and accept that her son is gone.

608 days ago


It's not Usher's responsibility to continue to pay this woman's way! Sad and unfortunate for the child but this woman needs to make a decision. She CANNOT expect Usher to continue to pay this childs hospital bills! He has his own children to support- this child has a father!

She has always depended on Usher to be her meal ticket!!! She has tied up the courts in order to empty his pockets! She has been greedy all along! He has been more than generous toward her and all of their kids! Enough already! This woman gives ALL women a bad name.

Tamika- Get a job and support yourself and quit waiting for handouts! Maybe she needs to conduct HER own fundraiser if she feels the need for this child to continue to live on machines to keep him alive!!!

I KNOW first hand what this woman is going through! However, I do not respect her for what she continues to do in order to get more money from Usher! I agree with the other's- TMZ should stop the guilt regarding the hospital bills!!!

608 days ago


I can understand why this young boy's mother is holding on to hope but he was diagnosed over a week ago as 'brain dead', which means there isn't any brain activity. I'm sure the Dr's have explained to her and her family that machines are keeping his heart beating. At some point, she needs to make the right decision and donate his viable organs to so many waiting for transplants and let this poor boy peacefully pass.

608 days ago


The child is brain dead and only life support is keeping him alive. As tragic as it is, the insurance company is right. This is not Usher's responsibility. It just is a tragic situation.

608 days ago


I would NEVER want to be put in this woman's position. As a parent, until and unless it happens to you, you don't know WHAT you would do in that situation. I think she wants to make absolutely SURE that NOTHING else can be done before she lets go. And if she is praying for a miracle, I understand that too as I DO believe in them. How awful for a parent to have to make a decision like this. It's not ABOUT Usher, it's about a Mother's love for her child and needing to make the right decision. Usher is NOT responsible, the child HAS a biological father, and it is up to him and the child's Mother to make ALL decisions. Usher is also not FINANCIALLY responsible. We should all pray that the parents receive strength and guidance.

608 days ago

the artist formerly known as hand turkey    

People keep talking about God, if you truly have faith in God and God's will, take the poor child off the machine and let God handle it. I'm not trying to be insensitive, I just think if a person says they believe, they should fear no death.

608 days ago


Donate the organs to people who aren't brain dead.

608 days ago


usher should help him be on life support if he doesnt come out by the time their health insurance is done paying and we all know he has enough money to do it. if it was me id do everything i could to keep him on as long as possible reply

608 days ago

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