Yesterday, a miracle happened: Hudson Bond, 9 weeks old, received a new heart. He and his parents have been through a lot in his short life—including some emotional turmoil wrought by Facebook.
When Hudson was born in July with cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease, doctors told his parents that he’d need a transplant. So his father, Kevin Bond, did what many parents of sick kids do: He created a Facebook page. Kevin hoped that Hudson’s Heart would spread the word about his son’s need for a new heart and raise funds for expenses. One day, he decided to pay Facebook $20 to “boost” a photo of his son lying in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU at Duke Children’s Hospital. Only Facebook rejected the photo.
As Bond wrote on Hudson’s Facebook page, “Facebook thinks my son is offensive.” He went on to share the message he’d receivied: “Reason(s): Your ad wasn’t approved because the image or video thumbnail is scary, gory, or sensational and evokes a negative response. Images including accidents, car crashes, dead and dismembered bodies, ghosts, zombies, ghouls, and vampires are not allowed.”
Bond was shocked. Attempts to appeal the decision didn’t work, he said. “Facebook, you should be ashamed of yourself,” he wrote. “Of all the garbage you endlessly pedal all over the Internet, a picture of my son is where you draw the line? Disgusting.”
As word began to spread, a Facebook spokesperson issued a seemingly heartless statement: “This was a mistake on our part, and the ad has been re-approved. We apologize for any inconvenience this caused the family.”
The response wasn’t enough for Kevin Bond. As he said, “Inconvenience was never an issue. Having my beautiful son compared to dismembered bodies, vampires, zombies, etc. hurt me, and my family.” Facebook eventually called and explained that an “automated system” blocked the image, then offered $10,000 in free ads.
Baby Hudson isn’t out of the woods yet; doctors are monitoring him to make sure his new heart is working well, and that no complications set in. But he is a lucky kid. As Kevin Wrote yesterday, “He’s a brave little boy, with a brave new hrart, from a brave family suffering an unspeakable loss. From our family to yours, wherever you are, we love you. Please join us in praying for comfort, light and healing.”
Despite Facebook’s major gaff, ultimately social media has done good: People have contributed $141,960 to date on Hudson’s Children’s Organ Transplant Association page alone, plus additional money through other fundraisers. The family plans to donate any extra money to families of children in need of organ transplants.
From my other blog:
A kid for just a little longer: The joys of parenting children with special needs
The best bike ride of my son’s life
Exactly how to deal if you think your kid has lice
Images: Facebook, Hudson’s Heart