Best of luck to the Smith family! It's great to see parents who are so dedicated to their children.

Best of luck Smith family, it is a touching story and I hope that everything works out for your little daughter.

I hope all goes well & God willing it works out for the best.

I can tell you they will lose the money and take a risk of infection in the eyes. I can gaurantee thqat the child from Utah county that went to China is no different today. I see patients who have been scammed (for that is what it is) who are even more demoralized after realizing that the surgery does not work. This couple is desparate and vulnerable. We should protect tham from this abuse. I have a child with congenital problems. I accept them and love her even more.

I have to say first and foremost, I hope everything goes well for your daughter and I wish you the best of luck.

I also have to say good luck this fall and GO WILDCATS!! If you put red and blue together, you get purple. Weber State University, THEE University of Utah!

Best of luck. How can we donate?

I just don't understand why doctors have to be so negative when certin conditions arise in children. My older sister was born with a chromosonial disorder and they doctors barley did anything because they had the mind set of "oh she is going to die anyway why do anything that will prolong it." This was thirty years ago and they still have the same attitude. I hope this procedure goes well for the this baby girl and she will prove the "local" doctors wrong. May Heavenly Father watch over her and her family.

Best of luck to the family. I hope things work wonderfully well for your daughter. Too bad stem cell research is limited here in the United States, and people have to go out of the country to get the help they are seeking. We need to support more research here at home.

Western medicine has tunnel vision. Just about every Dr. in the west discounts eastern medicine because its not taught at Harvard or Yale. I for one enjoy the benefits of accupuncture and chiropractors. It kept me from needing to have a very expensive shoulder surgery and months of rehab. Funny thing is most healthcare providers won't cover that stuff, but those services are only a fraction of the cost that surgery would be. Good luck to the family and hopefully the DesNews keeps us updated with their progress.

Hey As a Physician:

Open your eyes. Last year a girl from Joplin, Missouri went to China for the same surgery and had her sight restored. Check your facts before you go spouting off about people losing their money and the risks.

I'm glad eastern medicine helped you. I agree that there is something to it. You do realize that chiropractics is a western medicine as is stem cell therapy.

Another side note to this story is how good it is to see how much Smith has matured at Weber State. That's the most beneficial part of a post high school career, growing up.

My 17 year old daughter was born with optic nerve hypoplasia as well. She has graduated from High School, will attend college in the fall and has a wonderful life with this exceptional challenge, as do many, many, individuals. She and others are incredibly adept, and in some cases more so than visual learners. I hope for the best outcome for Trevyn's daughter with the trip and surgery.

best of luck!
don't pay much attention to "As a physician." He can't even spell. As a physician- What are you boarded in anyway? What kind of malpractice coverage do you have?

As a parent you do whatever you can to protect your child and you do whatever it takes to make that child whole. You go to the end of the earth for that child, no matter what. Just because they "were made that way" doesn't mean that you have to accept it if there is a way to be able to change it. If a child is sick you take them to the doctor, if they have a broken leg or an ear ache you take them to the doctor, if they need glasses, you fix that too. This is the same thing, if they know of something out there to make their baby better so she won't be laughed at when she gets older, because we all know she will be, then do it. Best of luck, and God Bless You All.

bless you!!

I hope this surgery helps, but am very doubtful. China is not my first place I would take my child for surgery.

A scam is scam is a scam, want to buy some snake oil? For you I'll throw in a trip to China. Ah-so.
My poor, poor bebe. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

As one who is familiar with the many failures of this stem cell procedure, it is not possible to protect someone from their own hope. No one should prohibit them from going ahead, but reality is not in their favor.

As a parent to a 26 yr. old child who is severely handicapped as a result of a chromosomal deletion (and living at home), all I can say is that through what seems a tragedy brings blessings. She has sacrificed so much for us to learn and grow. Her sweet spirit is one we cannot live without. Life can be a challenge but with it comes great rewards! Love her the way she is (perfect) and if the doctors can change things to make life better then go for it. In the meantime, she is perfect. God made her that way. Aren't we lucky?

I'm stunned to think that the Smiths believe being blind is such a bad thing. It sounds as if their daughter being blind is a curse on the family. Hardships; yes, but manageable. I know because i'm blind and have done just fine now with a family of my own. Life doesn't end just because one sense may not work the way you would hope it should. Other than her sight, your daughter is healthy. Be glad and appreciate the gem in your lives for she is just as precious as your expected children to come.

If God had meant for her to see, he would have given her eyes!

God did give her eyes you moron. They just don't work properly. Children are born with heart defects too, but no one questions a parent's decision to seek treatment to correct that. If it has the ability to improve the child's quality of life, I don't know of any parent who wouldn't try to do anything they could.

If you wouldn't, you aren't really a parent.

Every day there are break throughs in technology and modern medicine. Just because there have been unseccessful surgeries in the past does not mean each time they try again they make progess. I work at the cancer center, studies and new breakthroughs are forever the sucesses of tomorrow. Yes we definalty learn from and love our physically and mentally challenged loved ones. But it there is even one chance the can be helped, why would we deny them that chance?

Seems like with the cut in people the News is now behind. I saw this story in our Daily Herald earlier this week.

I have an elixir that is very likely to make this child see again. It only costs 100 dollars per month. Please mail checks to (sorry, I can't give my address) This product contains stem cells too. Please mail money soon to get started on a cure for whatever your problem may be.

BTW private stem cell research is not limited in the US, its federally funded research that is restricted. Sheeples

I'm surprised by some of the comments here. Did anyone tell the Herriman family they should just get used to their daughters being conjoined and love them anyway?
Yes, there are worse things than being blind. Yes, there are many who are blind who get along just fine. But if there's a chance that she could see how can anyone logically and in good conscience criticize this family for taking that chance when there is so much beauty in the world. Even someone who has been blind since birth wishes in some part of their heart that they could see, and those who still have hope look forward with optimism to the day when restoring sight to those blind since birth is no longer just a Biblical event.

Good for the Smith family. There are a lot more answers out there than our doctors know. I pray that this works out well for them. A lack of sight does not doom the child to a life of misery, I don't think that is being implied here. What parent would not do everything in their power to give their child sight? Once those possibilities are exhausted, then you work on giving the child every other opportunity to succeed.

I hope the WSU athletic department or student association will do what they can to help Trevyn with fundraising. I would be only too happy to give.

Maybe if this couple wasn't so concerned about athletics and more concerned about education they would realize that their $60,000 gamble would be better spent on their daughter's education. What did athletics get them... Big Sky rushing champ? Who cares! They really need to make a better decision concerning their daughter's future.

What a touching story. I hope the little girl is able to gain her sight. I have five children, including one daughter. I can't imagine that I would not try ANYTHING reasonable to help her if she had been born blind, and there was even just one ray of hope! I have a similar condition in my left eye, though it comes from a detached retina. I had six surgeries on the eye, over a period of years. It kept appearing as though it would recover, but finally, it failed. My right eye is acting up now, and I may eventually face life without vision (or perhaps I ought to tag along to China!!). So I know SOME of the emotions they are feeling. My goodness, nobody here is going to stop them from going to China with a few hasty words! Why put painful doubt in their minds? Why not hope, and pray, for success; even if the Chinese aren't that good, God is, and he just may step in and participate in that surgery, if it is the right thing for her, and we all pray for her. I have seen prayer do "impossible" things .....

Carol from Washington--you took the words right out of my mouth. There are a TON of things that this young girl can do in this world--with or without her sight. The only thing that holds her back is attitude. That of her parents, and her own. Look up Patrick Henry Hughes--a young man born blind--on You Tube. And, my other question is---what kind of stem cells? Don't want to open up a can of worms here--but part of the reason why this may occur in China is because they may have no problem with taking life to supposedly "give" it. As someone who has had to face parents and say, yes, that medical "promise" someone made could have actually caused more or permanent damage--I say feel blessed with what you have! A beautiful daughter, with a beautiful future--whether she can see or not.

Sounds like a scam to me too. I just don't think I would throw out the warnings of the US MDs. Sounds like sound advice. There are a lot of things that don't have cures, and scammers take them for their money all the time. Like going to Mexico for Cancer treatment, or buying this or that that will cure alzheimers, baldness, arthritis, MS etc etc. Lots and lots of wasted money. But, if they can raise the money. But the infection thing is scary. You can sue some dr in China if you find out it was a scam. Scary decision. Hope they prayed about it.

I'm working in China for the next couple of months and hope to help in any possible way, does anyone have a way to contact Trevyn? I went to school with Trevyn and was a grade older than him and wish him the best of luck. I don't know where his daughter will have her surgery in China, but I just want to help if they are near where I live.

Also, you can't take anyone's word on the internet. Things like this need to be studied in double blind studies. Someones word with no study behind it is a sure sign of quackery. Why don't they do it anywhere but China? Why not in Europe, or Mexico? Too weird. I hope if nothing else the little girl is ok. I had a grandma who was born blind and was a professional pianist. Andrea Boccili is the greatest singer on the earth today-he's blind. Blind people do amazing things. It may not be a curse. It may actually be a blessing. They won't have to waste countless hours watching movies and playing video games, they can spend more time developing talents.

Seriously folks, do you think that this couple has not been to dozens of doctors and spent hours on end studying this situation out??!! I think that they may know a little more than the rest of us about the procedure and have decided to take the risk, even if it costs them $60,000. Yes, blind people do AMAZING things, but I bet if there was a cure for blindness there would be a lot of blind people going in for surgery. Let's not take away their hope and faith and just pray that the best may come of their situation.

I'm amazed at most of these comments and also at how society percievs blindness. It has been this perception of blindness over the years that continues to contribute to the stereotype of the word and place obstacles in the way of those who may not have sight, placing road blocks in the way for opportunities just as deserving to them as anyone else. Sit back and listen and you may see more of what our world is becoming or not becoming because of these practices. I'm perfectly comfortable with the things I see in my mind than have to visually see what has been messed up in our world. If something doesn't look right, it is altered cosmetically to give an appearance of perfection. Heart surgery and separation of twins is to prolong life. Life continues with or without sight. Those that laugh at others who may be different because of them not appearing as society is comfortable with, are the ignorant ones.

Funny, thats NOT what Jesus said whenever he met someone who was blind.

Some of you people are unbelievable. Your comments are so very cruel and insensitive. Who are you to judge? I know who you are. You're someone very lonely and pathetic and you hide behind a computer trying to make yourself feel better attempting to bring others down, but in the end you're still lonely and pathetic.

I wish the couple lots of luck. My son has ONH and is completely blind. We are also going to China next month. Now, if your child was blind and there was a possible solution to cure it, would you? If your child is sick, do you give him medicine? To me, after speaking to every family who has gone and doing hours upon hours of research I've decided to atleast try it. This WILL be in the USA in about 20 years...when my baby will be practically too old for any results to happen. Before someone talks negatively about this couple, put yourself in their shoes. God Bless them.

I happen to know Trevyn Smith. I grew up with him, and considered him one of my dearest friends as a child. If you wish to believe this is a scam, that is definitley your prerogative, but I can tell you that this is a real child, that needs real help. Do you think that the Daily Herald, Deseret News, and other news stations would really publish this story if it were a scam? This is a story about a family trying to help their daughter. God has made twins conjoined,that doesn't mean they should live thier life that way. The people of this state certainly helped, and supported those families when they were in need. Most of this state claims to be 'good Christian people', so be that. If you don't believe this story, that's great, but there's no need to hurt this family more than they are already heart broken. Be 'good Christian' people. Open your eyes and your hearts. If you're not going to help, at least do us all a favor, and keep your hateful comments to yourself. Those of you who support this family, I know it means a lot to the Smith's.

First of all, we could sit here and talk for years about what the Smiths should do, but they are going for the operation despite what we may say here. So I suggest we think of ways to help them.

Secondly, I'm originally from Utah and like Daryl W. I'm living in China and would like to help Trevyn's family when they come, but I have no way to contact them. I don't know if we can post e-mails, but I can try, wu_liang666 and it is a hotmail account so you know what to do. Or just write a comment below.

And lastly, China is way more advanced than you think, if you haven't lived here you wouldn't understand. For all of you who think America is the most advanced nation in all aspects, please take a vacation, you would be surprised to see we are behind some other countries technology.

I blogged a few blogs back, but wanted to add something. My granddaughter (2 1/2 yr.'s old) was born blind in one eye. The condition is fairly rare and they don't know what the cause is. It is called, in non medical terms, small eye. It is where the eye does not develop and grow as it should. My son and his wife decided to try a corneal transplant but it did not take and was rejected. Her iris is cloudy and the eye a little smaller. In time they will either put in a fake eye that covers it or a contact that is created to look like her good eye. She is beautiful!

Our prayers are with you!

Apparently those of you who have wasted your time writing negative comments have not researched what you are writing nor do you know the family personaly. I am unsure what athletics has to do w anything Trevyn has school paid for because of his athletics which will only benefit the family in the long run. Also I have never met people w a more positve outlook, they have damn good attitudes and so does their beautiful daughter, this may be why she is blind and still as advanced as other children her age. They will not love her more or less because of her condition. So for all of you judgemental people who have nothing better to do w your time than try to make someone as miserable as yourself waste your time elsewhere. And to those who have children or are just understanding of a mother and fathers love for their child thank you so much for your support! We want all our chilren to have every opportunity possible. If you had a child w/o a limb would u get them a prosthetic? I WOULD! And I will do all I can for Ryan, she is my world!