The Decibel To save this baby, doctors had to kill part of her brain
Jun 6, 2025
Jennifer Yang, a health sciences reporter for The Globe, delves into the remarkable story of Maryam Fatima, who was born with hemimegalencephaly. Yang shares insights from medical experts who performed a groundbreaking surgery to disconnect part of Maryam's brain in a life-saving effort. The podcast reveals the emotional journey of Maryam's family, their immigration from India to Canada, and the innovative treatments they pursued. Listeners are taken through the challenges of her early battles with severe seizures and her inspiring path to recovery.
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Miriam's Early Seizure Struggles
- Miriam Fatima was born twitching and having seizures right from the start of her life.
- The rhythmic twitching and vacant stare in the video highlight how severe and constant her seizures were.
Parents' Journey to Miriam
- Miriam's parents, Musna and Shaban, moved to Canada and were hopeful for children.
- They shared their excitement about having a daughter and the plans for their family.
Understanding Hemimegalencephaly
- Hemimegalencephaly causes one brain hemisphere to overgrow and blur normal brain structures.
- This abnormal growth leads to disorganized neurons causing persistent seizures that are hard to control.