THE LITTLE MERMAID

Against all odds, Shiloh Pepin of Portland, Maine turned 8 years old in August 2007. She was born with Mermaid Syndrome, or Sirenomelia, one of the rarest conditions known to man. This condition means the foetus fails to develop normally below the waist, resulting in a fusion of the lower limbs. Of the few foetuses that actually make it to birth, most die within hours of leaving the womb.

Although there are thought to be five known survivors worldwide - Shiloh is the only one not to have had her legs separated by surgery. Having only one, partially-working kidney, no lower colon and no genital organs, such an operation up until now has been too dangerous for her. Her plucky character and determination have so far seen her through - she even plays football and attends dance classes. But she's now entering the most risky and challenging time of her life.

Her pediatrician, Dr Matt Hand, knows that if she's to survive, she will eventually need her legs separated. It's an operation that has divided the family: mother Leslie wants the separation to go ahead, while father Elmer and Shiloh herself are reluctant. This compelling and heart-warming documentary follows the family as they contemplate the surgery that could change Shiloh's life forever.

Five's Extraordinary People Strand
1 x 60mins
www.firecrackerfilms.com

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• documentary
• mermaid
• syndrome
• shiloh
• Sirenomelia
• foetus
• rare
• condition
• fusion
• legs
• kidney
• genitals

[vdurham11]

If u don`t fell bad for that girl have no heart and of course she`s not a mermaid dummy

[ilovenickjonas0404]

aweee! shes adorable <3 i wish i had gotten the chance to meet her!

[patarfuyfuy]

how did she get rid of excrement if she didnt have a rectum?

[Florin1music]

:((( sad story:(((

[ATChampagne]

Only thing I'm wondering about is that since she has no bladder... it must be hard release waste... >.<

[amethyst0285]

RIP Shiloh. :(

[Angelgal10216]

This is one truly amazing document bless this little girls heart-3

[NicoleLynnDevi]

@joshua12345a You're a terrible person for saying that.....How could you be so heartless?

[NicoleLynnDevi]

awe this made me cry...... :'(

[hatsunelover1]

1:01 wow the mom is sooooo freaking MEAN SO YOU WANTED HER2 DIE WELL GUESS WAT YOU GOT YOUR WISH AND THEN YOU LAUGHED WOOOOW I ACTUALLY CRIED

[hatsunelover1]

i cried the whole video this is so sad and she cant pee or poop you people might think its funny but its not she sounds so happy either though something terrible effected her life

[palmtreedino]

i know this will sound odd, but i really like the sound of her voice! she's such a rad little trooper =]