Jimmy Kimmel made a tearful speech about his newborn baby’s health crisis
And even Barack Obama’s talking about it.
And even Barack Obama’s talking about it.
Jimmy Kimmel opened his late-night talk show on Monday by delivering an unusual opening monologue, explaining why he was forced to cancel his show the week previously.
The 49-year-old presenter explained to the audience that he and his wife Molly had just welcomed their second child together, a boy named William ‘Billy’ Kimmel.
Although enduring an ‘easy labour’, with Billy appearing to be ‘a normal baby’, Jimmy explained how an attentive nurse noticed that the newborn had a heart murmur and that he was slightly purple.
Breaking down in tears, Jimmy recounted the ‘terrifying’ moments that followed Billy’s birth, with his son being diagnosed with a congenital heart disease, Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, forced to undergo immediate surgery.
Jimmy then explained how at just three days old, Billy had open heart surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles which was successful, but went on to explain how his son will still need to have a similar operation in the next six months, and a third non-evasive surgery when he is older.
Taking the time to thank every person who had helped to save his son’s live, Jimmy named the nurses, doctors, family members and friends, even joking ‘I hate to say it, but even that son-of-a-bitch Matt Damon sent flowers.’
‘Most of all, I want to thank my wife Molly,’ Jimmy concluded. ‘First of all, for allowing me to have sex with her in the first place, but also for being so strong and level-headed and positive and loving during the worst nightmare a new mother could experience. I couldn't ask for a better partner and I'm so happy we had this baby together.’
Jimmy ended his monologue by praising the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), a US health care law, in danger of being repealed.
‘Before 2014, if you were born with congenital heart disease like my son was, there was a good chance you would never be able to get health insurance because you had a pre-existing condition,’ Jimmy explained to the audience. ‘You were born with a pre-existing condition, and if your parents didn’t have medical insurance, you might not even live long enough to get denied because of a pre-existing condition.’
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Pleading with politicians to ensure that all US citizens have access to healthcare, no matter their financial situation, Jimmy explained, ‘If your baby is going to die it shouldn’t matter how much money you make.’
Jimmy’s emotional monologue was met by praise and support, with celebrities from Ellen DeGeneres to Christina Applegate tweeting their love. Even Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama paid their respects, with Obama tweeting ‘Well said, Jimmy. That’s exactly why we fought so hard for the ACA, and why we need to protect it for kids like Billy. And congratulations!’
Jimmy’s wife, Molly, had the best response to Obama's message, tweeting 'someone is angling to be Billy's godfather.'
She also tweeted a photo of Jimmy and his son, captioned ‘I am thankful to love and be loved by these two brave guys. Both criers’, as well as a message of thanks, saying 'We had a baby. Here is the story told so eloquently by my sweet husband. Thank you for all the love, support and prayers. Xo.'
