Sight v. Life

With the approval of both his parents, Johnny Pair of Atlanta had his left eye removed two years ago to check the spread of cancer (retinoblastoma) along nerve pathways to the brain. Now Johnny, 5, has suffered a recurrence of the disease. His right eye is gradually losing its sight, and doctors say that unless it is soon removed he will certainly die. If he is operated on, they give him an even chance of survival. His mother, Mrs. Bessie Pair, 32, favors the operation. But she is now divorced from Arnold Pair, 36, and surgeons refuse to operate without the consent of both parents.

Last week, faced with a harrowing but not uncommon dilemma, Arnold Pair said: "I'm against the operation. My mind could be changed if somebody could convince me Johnny will live after this operation, but no one will say for sure that he'll come through. The way I figure it, the poor kid may as well enjoy to the fullest the time he has left. I say, let him see while he can." But before reaching a final decision, Pair consulted his minister and sought guidance in prayer.

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