Jill Tantillo

The Stars in His Eyes Jill Tantillo

Is it a blessing from God, or playing God?

Joey Todaro was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome at nine months old. When he had risky open heart surgery at 10 months old, his father, Joseph, slept under his crib the night before the procedure. He made a deal with God to allow his baby son to survive.

Well, God answered Joseph's prayer. 13 years later, "Joey T" is a happy and energetic little boy who's enjoying family life with his dad, mom (Jill) and three sisters (Grace, Sophia, and Mia). He has the common characteristics and features of a child with Williams Syndrome including some learning challenges, the appearance and height of a much younger boy, and of course the distinctive starburst pattern in his eyes.

When an experimental drug is proposed by a doctor who claims he can cure Joey of his symptoms and change his appearance, his father wonders if this could be God answering another prayer. Differing opinions on the safety and morality of the experimental treatment cause a divide between Joey's parents as well as the other families of Williams Syndrome children in their circle.

Is this proposed treatment really a once-in-a-lifetime blessing sent from heaven for these families, or is the doctor trying to play God by seeking to change their children?