The Boy in the Bubble | Retro Report | The New York Times
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- In the early 1970s, an unusual boy captivated the nation. Now, decades later, his story continues to unfold in remarkable ways.
Grab the embed code for this video at Times Video:
nyti.ms/1P3Awul
Produced by: RETRO REPORT
Read the story here: nyti.ms/1mkibQx
Subscribe to the Times Video newsletter for free and get a handpicked selection of the best videos from The New York Times every week: bit.ly/timesvid...
Subscribe on TH-cam: bit.ly/U8Ys7n
Watch more videos at: nytimes.com/video
---------------------------------------------------------------
Want more from The New York Times?
Twitter: / nytvideo
Instagram: / nytvideo
Facebook: / nytvideo
Google+: plus.google.co...
Whether it's reporting on conflicts abroad and political divisions at home, or covering the latest style trends and scientific developments, New York Times video journalists provide a revealing and unforgettable view of the world. It's all the news that's fit to watch. On TH-cam.
The Boy in the Bubble | Retro Report | The New York Times
/ thenewyorktimes
“Why don’t we pull all these tubes out and let me go home?” absolutely broke my heart.
Same, I can't imagine my kids saying that to me. It would just break me.
I define that as death.
@@hmm7895 duh
Yes, heartbreaking, especially for the mom to hear that. I think I would have lost it right then and there. Very strong mom! God bless her.
He is supposed to be there
That poor woman. She buried two of her children. How heartbreaking 😢
M Detlef I know, it’s horrific 😢
M Detlef the world doesn’t need more humans!!!!!!!! Don’t you see how messed up we’ve left this world?
Indira Lorenzo omg. If you honestly think like this, I hope you NEVER become a mother, you don’t deserve it!!
@@milkshake42069 & Indira Lorenzo: Better than abortion, Carol Ann Vetter could've practiced common sense & *contraception* after the death of her first son.
JenJen Jen Why is that 😂😂 you don’t know me at all to know what I deserve. But if someone doesn’t want a child then it’s THEIR choice. The world would be a better place if others learned how to mind their business and stop trying to control others.
imagine your child dies and TV shows start to make a joke out of it
I would sue
Adam Sandler made a parody about a boy in a bubble and Adam's mom sued the Sandler, the studio, and the production company. I believe there was a settlement.
It's funny tho lmao
are you talking about the movie "the boy in the plastic bubble," because that movie wasn't making fun of the kid.
i would like this comment but its got 666 likes
Rip to all of the children that passed away for this
Including the uncounted millions who passed away before the condition was ever known. From the era when babies "just died sometimes" because we didn't know about nor couldn't help with their conditions such as SCID, type I diabetes and many more.
keeping at 99 likes welp 1k
Rebecca Williamson 🙏🏻
dacypher22 just an L for being born in the wrong era
I wonder if David could had been at risk for autoimmune diseases despite not having an immune system.. As you mention. .. T1 diabetes
Seeing him in that bubble is so heart wrenching and breaks me. I can't even imagine how he survived and lived all his life in there. God bless him.
As far as I can see God did not bless him. It beats me how you all are so blind.
Mike w that’s mean to say eww what if someone said eww to u from not be able to control it
@@ElNightmareYT it’s not that God didn’t bless him it’s that the devil saw some weakness of some sort and came in God is not at fault here satan is
@@ElNightmareYT Having a loving family that not everyone has? Experiencing love and joy that not everyone feels? Having to be a great stepping-stone for science development? Have you never learn to appreciate?
Death is a blessing. Know that he's happier in Heaven with the Lord than to live in this horrid world of pain and suffering.
Who is blind?
@@red_dulge Death is not a blessing, that has to be one of the stupidest things humans have ever believed.
When nasa gave him a astronaut suit my heart melted
an*
Human Being stfu
I ugly cried.
@@nomyum7042 animes profile pictures should be seen not heard
@@zachsakaria4957 i think thats an onion
I went to the school dedicated to this boy, David Elementary was one of the best school years of my life. The mother would come and speak to us about her son every year.
That’s cool, I like your profile pic btw;)
@utmag WE REACH FOR THE SKY-- TOMORROW IS WAITING
@utmag this was hella throwback- I can't believe I remember that song. you too, I'm surprised as well
WHAT YEAR???
Where my David gang at 😎
At least he lived 2 weeks out of the bubble imagine the happiness of being out for 2 weeks after spending your whole life in a bubble.
He was terrified of the world outside the bubble, that's partly why he didn't use the "space suit" more :(
He was sick in the hospital when they took him out of the bubble. Hardly happy. Probably was confined to some kind of room at that.
@@Garbeaux. yes, he was doing for those two weeks, and in a mostly sterile area
He was dying of Lymphoma for those 2 weeks, Einstein.
Didn't know that, sorry for not being informed.
I literally just realised that if David had lived, he would have been 47 years old, probably married with children
Oof
If he had been healthy, he could have done those things.
*"Married with children"?!* Was there a thriving dating scene/singles bar in his bubble, which they neglected to feature in the movie?
Starbucks Drink aww
June Zapitron true
sad that davids life is a joke to many. he was such a strong little boy who didn’t deserve any of that. his story is so inspiring
How was his life a joke to many? Just because he inspired a comedy movie in poor taste once? I have a sneaking suspicion he would have laughed at how ridiculous it was. Comedy at its most powerful tends to draw from pain.
He's luckily in a better place now
@@DoYouLikeScaryMovies2024He is FREE and can breathe..now..he can run ,walk and do what he pleases in heaven
I didn't realize "bubble boy" was based on a real bubble boy
What the boy in the plastic bubble with jon Travolta
I thought it was just a wacky 1990s movie
M2
Me either. Now I find the movie is so means. God with David and blessing his family. Btw, he has an angel smile and heard he is also a funny person, who knows he just an angel who passed by and give joy. Amen
Well known fact for every true seinfeld fan. Is on the DVD commentaries.
His life was like a sadder Truman Show.
F A C T S 💔
At least Truman had a big town to roam all over, and he didn't know.
It was actually true The Truman Show isn't true I'm not sure if you know that or not but this is a true story Truman Show was not
I'm dude it seems pretty close
If he was born today, he would’ve lived. This is so sad, knowing that she lost 2 of her kids from the same disease. ❤️
I wouldn't have anymore children after all this ordeal
Doctors warned them that if they had another male child, he would have 50% chance of getting the disease. Since they already have a healthy daughter, they should've stopped having more children. Poor David.
People live today because of him
No, if he would have born today then there's no cure. It is because he was born in the past that we found prevention.
You learned better because of old technology....
“But it turned out, that he is helping mankind, but in a different way.”
A very bitter-sweet yet powerful way to end the video.
He taught the world more about cancer and the immune system and disease after his death. His life and death were extraordinary, tragic and totally out of his control. I think he’d like to know how much he taught us in his death
O LPGA get saw
That “hi, mom” w/ a peace sign at 12:02 gave me a stab in the heart. Such an innocent, loving boy.
💙💙💙
sweet loving boy, indeed
Boy: mommy! I'm a star!
Mom: why, yes you are sweetie, you're the light of my life.
Boy: not that kind of star mommy, I'm famous!
Well thats a bit sad.
Dayum
Thousandth like
Children dont see the the problem with that. They're children
A star shines above the sky but won't stay for another night
If he’s famous he’s should be able to *touch someone*
This truly makes everyone realize how gifted they are in life...
I'm not, cause i dont have lungs
@@jeetraj2371 Atleast you can walk freely, you are not quarantined for life
@@hamitodo5855 How do you know that they have legs?
You're not allowed to be happy becuase others have it better than you.
@@hamitodo5855 stop pushing that toxic positivity down people's throats, bro. people don't have to be grateful that their situations are better than others.
hit me right in the feels
me too ; (
Yehuda Menachem are you Canadian? Only heard that out of Canucks! Go Canada! Sad story I agree.
Yeah i found myself crying I had no idea about this disease
I cried while watching this. David was such a beautiful boy.
Yes he was and he came from a pretty cool family. We loved him and his Family and spent much time with them, doing Swim team and other Activities.
chelsea violet im literally in tears, i just wanted to hug him the entire video
Man, those parents that turn advocates after the loss of their children are absolute heroes to me and the bravest people I’ll ever see. If that happened to me I could only see myself become more bitter and angry as science progresses. Always thinking, “Why couldn’t you have saved him. Why not then? Why now?” Applause for them.
Well said
@@PartnershipsForYou indeed
9:02 This made me extremely angry. This boy contracted a rare disease that he did not survive and they JOKE?!
It’s funny tho
@@10inyamom98 That's very rude.
@@confidencewhere9185 how so? I can't find shows that turn serious or real life situations funny?
@@10inyamom98 I'm just saying it's rude to the kid. He had a very serious illness and died. I personally think it's very rude, but I can see why you think it's funny. The show tried to portray it in a comedic manner.
@@confidencewhere9185 it’s not rude to either of these kids imo but ok.
how does the inside of the bubble stay sterilized?
angie if no bacteria ever enters the bubble, there was nothing that needed to be sterilized.
angie No air or viruses can get in so it stays clean
James Heathcote how is it possible for no bacteria to enter it ? little yes but for absolutely no bacteria to enter it? i find really hard to believe. how did they keep him clean? bathing/showering etc. what about his bowel movements? he had to be fed somehow. food contains bacteria.
J. Jo Bacteria sounds like a really scary word. But the reality is we filled to the brim with billions of harmless bacterial microbes at all times. We’ve got some on our eyelashes that feed on our eye goop. Beneficial bacteria are completely fine to be in any kind of sterilization unit, what you’re trying to avoid are foreign or aggressive microbes. Food when cooked properly is sanitized of any of those harmful microbes, and his bathroom would probably have to be sterilized after every use to avoid to reproduction of microbes that are borne from fecal matter. He could handle the ones that were inside him, but anything his body wasn’t acutely used to was dangerous to him. Hope that made sense ❤️
@@morgiiiklein5385 that makes sense. good points all around
This is heartbreaking to me
Omg is this another Mr. Succ?
whomst'dv
Yeah it really stonks
666th like
@@zollbug 6 days ago, wow god forbid that's the devil's sign lmao
His death was not in vain.
NASA didn't think it was in vain. They learned a lot , from their work with him. He was a very cool Kid, and loved it when the regular Kids of the neighborhood, would go visit. I was among those Kids.
Mark Greiser wait you’ve visited him?
@@markgreiser464 what did he say?
@@markgreiser464 No ... you're a sad liar though.
@@Nautilus1972 , keep telling yourself that. There a loser here, alright
I buried one child... I can’t imagine burying another.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss
My condolences
I'm so so sorry.... I dont know how you have the will.... my thoughts are with you
Sorry for your loss.
You know, I was having a bad day and was about to go to bed. Then I saw this in my recommended and decided to watch it. It's nice to know about something great in this world. Thanks, goodnight.
Breaks my heart when children can’t live their life to the fullest
This is one of the saddest documentaries ever! I don't care how inspiring it is, this health condition and circumstances this boy was in made him and alot people around him suffer! Those poor people to have to have lived with that sadness all their lives! You see it in that mother's face, and even those doctors who tried they very best!
YES AND YES........................
Thats not a life for a kid period. .it is better to be dead sorry than live in a bubble This .Poor kid David never was touched or hugged ..never too sad..😢😢He stayed 11 years unnecessary in a bubble and could have had a bone marrow transplantation as a baby..sorry
.
The mother wasn't selfish, far from it. It comes down to how the child would have to decide for themselves, if David had grown into an adult what choice would he have made? The damage on his physique was already done and he may have not been able to function in society. If you had been in this situation what would you have done, I myself would probably have asked for a way to be 'relieved' of my life though my life would be in the hands of God and not necessarily be my conscious choice as to whether or not I would live.
Lil Peep so what if they believe in God?
She was selfish. She knew she was a carrier for this immune disorder yet had a child anyway. She had a child that was forced to live in a bubble his entire life, that's selfish.
@@DH-gq7bm yep she was very selfish, she had a 7 month old who died from this same disease, drs told her if she had another, it’s more than likely it would contract the same disease smfh
@@accioyoongi AMEN.....THAT NORVILLE ROGER MUST NOT BE A CHRISTIAN...SHAME ON YOU BROTHER...TOOTH FAIRY THAT IS A VERY BAD JOKE FROM THIS HEART BROKEN REAL LIFE STORY...
@⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ That was such a reach. I don’t think that person is advocating for eugenics. If you’re aware that you’re a carrier of this rare genetic disorder and PREVIOUSLY had a child who was also born with and PASSED AWAY from it, why would you risk birthing a child when you know they have a *high* probability of having the same disorder? What type of quality of life is that for the child? That’s extremely selfish and not taking into account how that child will feel.
Who else is watching this during COVID19 quarantine?
Ok boomer!
@@syahmansyahputra5073
That's not how it works.
Yuh
Who thinks this kid had the right idea all along
No one
This will always be a powerful story.
David and his mother are helping people today .....Thank you David . You were so brave .
I can’t even begin to imagine how traumatic it must’ve been for his sister given the fact that she was the bone marrow donor. Imagine trying to help save your brothers life and in the end the exact opposite happens.
Wasn't John Travolta a little old to play a kid born in 1971?
They messed up he is the dad
No he wasn't the dad, he was the bubble boy as a teenager. And as a blind person he didn't sound like a teenager he sounded older than that.
I just finished watching the movie, in it John Travolta’s character Tod was born in 1959, and lived well into his teen years, so it’s not a reenactment of David’s life just based loosely on it.
@@cmpvariety1764 John Travolta was well over teen years when he played David (Tod in the movie) which was on;y loosly based on David’s life.
Just heard about this in a biology class. Can't imagine a child going through this. So heart-wrenching.
I wonder what type of food he ate
zh11147 but even when you like flash heat it, like pasteurization it’s not completely germ free right? ... or is it :0
I hadn't even thought of that.... That's a good point :O
curious to know as well!
sad he never tasted Mcdonalds in his life
They sterilized it
Always thought it was positively ludicrous for a fully-grown John Travolta to portray the "Bubble Boy". Couldn't they find an *actual BOY* for that role?
As I recall they did have a young boy in the beginning. Travolta played the teenager.
@@purplepantslady9461
The *actual* "bubble boy", David Vetter, never had a chance to become a teenager. Hence, Travolta looked ridiculous as a 22 year-old portraying a 12 year-old.
Well how else are you gonna sexualize someone's trauma
Was Travolta supposed to be 22 in the movie? The movie version was more about what first love would've been had the original boy made it to those years
@@daria5846 no from what I'm understanding he was a teenager in the movie. I could be wrong though so if I'm wrong please correct me but I've seen the movie and I think he was supposed to be a teenager.
imagine how bad the sister must feel :(
I remember watching this movie.. It broke my heart to see what this family went through.. I remember him on the news in the late 80's...
Brandon's mother got more beautiful with age.
david's mom was beautiful as well!
Lmao ok
Thank you
I understand why spams saw the controversy of the case, because every human being has the right to live a independent life. But taking David out of the bubble would means to take is right to life away from him.
My son also was born with a severe autoimmune disease. He had a bone marrow transplant and is going great thank God. 🙏
It's a tragedy he pass so young but he saved countless lives in his wake
David is a hero, even if he never knew it
God please just keep your love around this mother. How heartbreaking.
i think it was a bit insensitive that even after david's death, it was only used for comedy purposes, must've been difficult for his mother to just sit there and watch people mock him about being in a bubble and even making series/sitcoms about it. rest well david, you will be missed, he would've been 50 by now..🕊💓
I often hear from the older generation about this case, usually as a joke. I didn't know it was from a real and serious case growing up.
I used to have classes with a boy who had a autoimmune deficiencies until he got taken out of classes due to COVID 19, I was very good friends with him. He died 2 weeks later.
and people still won’t wear masks
My son has Addison disease and thanks to these people my son was able to live outside the bubble. Thank you for what you guys gave. My son had adrenal surgery when he was 3 years old. Yes he takes medicine everyday to help him live but thank you again.
I cried so much watching this. I remember David. I was a few years older than him, and I remember seeing him on the news. I remember when he died. I was blessed with two sons, who I love with all my heart. I can't imagine the loss that these moms suffered.
Poor poor boy diserves to be in Heaven.
“Let me go home” He discussed this a lot.. so why did the doctor say “David was funny” when he said that?💔There are many more details to his story. I really don’t know why, once he so very sick, his mom, his parents, were told they could not touch him without a glove. It wasn’t until he was in coma, from what I remember, that she was allowed to stroke his hair! 😥💔Was there any follow up on the sister who have him the BMT??
because of how innocent he is...
Two of my sisters had SCIDS too (one died from it too) and a few years after I met David’s parents, sister, and nephews. My youngest sister is only alive today because of the same reason David got to live longer than his brother. My youngest sister was able to get a bone marrow transplant and she is doing great now with only minor issues from the radiation she had to receive. She’s very annoying but I’m glad she’s alive and I still miss my sister.
Thank you David and family! Take solace in the fact you have helped save countless lives...
This had me in tears. I’ve got CVID and have been inside my home now 2 years. Thankyou to these courageous parents.
David's mother seems like such a kind and gentle person.
that footage of David playing with the ball in his suit 💔 RIP
I remember reading a prompt on the reading portion of the standardized test about his life.
I never thought a test would ever almost make me cry.
That last line from the mom.... I'm actually crying...
Such as beautiful young boy..no matter what he tried to stay in good spirits and also wanted his mother and everyone around to be in good spirits he is definitely an angel now
Most of us who grew up in the 70s remember that movie with John Travolta. How incredibly sad for his sister to have lovingly shared her bone marrow only for him to have died from it. I wonder how she handled that. No doubt there would be deep feelings of guilt, even though it was no fault of her own. Just tragic.
Of course if the parents had known what was to happen, they would have had him experience a day of fun - maybe out to eat, to a playground and maybe home to hang out with his family... even if only for a day. What a tragic ending. 💔
Maybe, who knows
Disneyland. ☺️ 😞
I was only about 7 but I vividly remember The Boy in the Plastic Bubble starring John Travolta. It made an impression. Fascinating and a bit scary and yes sad.
7:45 I have hemaphilia and when he had the same effects as me (blue lips, trouble breathing, ect.) I felt really bad because it's really hard to survive as an infant when you get that bad.
Thank you for sharing David’s story once again, for a new generation. He was so brave and courageous.
David had the eyes of an angel.
my baby brother died in 2006 due to auto immune disease.. Brandon story really reminded me of my brothers story.. God bless all of them..
That dear sweet child. He was a star... something you can't touch that shines bright for all too see. 🙏💙
His mother is the absolute sweetest I attended David elementary when I was child and it was the most beautiful and kindest school, his mother always came and told her story and just adored every student
I watched the entire documentary. It's rare for me to cry...but I am in tears. I've lived a pretty isolated childhood/life, and often feel sorry for myself, but this...what this little boy went through, this is just unforgivable. I can't fathom the mental and emotional anguish he must have faced as he became more aware of his situation. He was obviously dealing with a lot of anxiety and depression...and it's no wonder. I am absolutely heartbroken for him and his family. No one should have to go through this. May he rest in peace. :(
I’m from Houston Texas and I remember in 73 my third grade teacher read us about this young boy and that’s the first time I felt compassion for others . I started to cry my teacher hug me at that time teachers would hug and nurture their students that’s something they can’t do anymore through life I always thought about him I wanted to be his friend. Rest in peace David You are gone but not forgotten your friend from a mile away thank you David for Help others yes you are famous and you are still love 💕
This young man touched my life when I was young and helped me at a young age, learn about medical issues that touch peoples lives. As an adult and being a parent of a disabled child, I often remembered this young man's life and even though he was in heaven at that point, I thought about him and his family and they gave me inspiration and strength to take yet one more step on the road called life! He touched me, his life touched others, his life had meaning. I will never forget this young man!
:'( Bless his soul and all others that have lost their lives because of this. That poor mother and sister.
I am related to David, my dad was his second cousin.
Wow
What happened to the family?
Sure
And?
Their first male child died of complications from SCID. Doctors then warned the parents that any future male children they have will have a 50 percent chance of having SCID too. Lo and behold, they had the child anyway. For me they are quite cruel and narcissistic to gamble away their child's life and hope for the best. Poor kid. Why did they had to have another child? They already have a healthy daughter.
I agree. They shouldn’t have had another child.
I kinda agree, they had the option to adopt
Very emotional! Appreciation to the family for being so transparent with such a private, emotional and eventually such a tragic family trauma. I’m deeply humbled by this family that made their experiences public so the rest “of the world” learned about how cruel life can be. Thank you so very much and may God bless
This is gut wrenching. I just watched the Travolta movie after not seeing it since I was 9 in 1976. I remember how scared I was when watching the movie that someone would rip the plastic accidentally. The movie gave me great anxiety. Much more sad to watch it 48 years later.
Goosebumps. Rip David. With the angels now.
He so freaking adorable
Just knew about David now in 2022.
RIP, you are at a better place now..
greatest quarantine ever suffered.....
This is heart breaking, RIP little dude. 💔
Rest in peace David.
9:01 that's insulting and i agree and also nothing to joke about.
This is heartbreaking, it’s not a life to live. I can’t I manage never being touched by my parents and being stuck in a bubble. He must have had an incredible self control because most people I know would have ripped that bubble apart.
I worked as a RN on a bone marrow transplant unit for many years. I can not even imagine taking care of someone post BMT if I couldn’t actually touch them. BMT’s really do a number on a patients body.
In many ways, David helped a lot of people. I hope David is never forgotten.
Rest in Peace, David.
That’s really sad.
What a heartbreaking story about a great little boy and his wonderful mom! God bless you ❤️❤️❤️
As a father let alone fellow human being, I'm truly sorry...No parent should have to burry their child.
This just broke my heart!! As many times ive watched that movie and heard the story it still made bawl especially seeing his mom and hearing her talk about him 😢😢
Who else thought of the song by Alec Benjamin?
Meh😅
L. B. That’s the reason I’m watching this video😅
Me
Yup
Which song?
I'm a mother and this make me sad, i cried a lot watching this
This is so incredibly sad. Makes me want to go home and hug my kids.
Wow and I thought being in lockdown was bad I know if I stay in lockdown till this is over I’ll be okay but this poor guy in quarantine all his life
I remember when The Boy In The Plastic Bubble came out. I was very young, under the age of 10. It really made me sad. I had no idea how sick children could be. When my mom told me that David had died (I didn't grasp that from the movie) I cried.
His poor parents. How helpless they must have felt. I know you're flying high David. You're free.
Same, I was under 10, I remember the movie vividly, and I had no idea he had died until this moment. A compelling and inspiring and yes, sad, story.
Im sure his parents are still alive but it must be heartbreaking to watch all these videos of him back in the day.
I don't think his parents were wrapped too tightly in the fact you have a baby within months of losing a child and then name the second child the same name because the father wants a boy and the fact his mother saw him once a week. The whole thing was a living nightmare for David he was already diagnosed at 9 as being psychotic. After a certain age he should have been taken out of the bubble and what would happen would happen at least he would have had a bit of a normal life. Not being touched for 12 years by anyone is mind-boggling and, in the end, he died. So many unethical things about this case.
That's nonsense.
May his soul Rest In Peace 🙏🏼
I went to an elementary school made in dedication of David, there were photos from the 70s and 80s of him and we even had a day where his mother and relatives came to tell his story.
Me to!
I know this is completely off topic but the guy who played Voldemort is in this video
Whoa what
Whereee 😂😂
Where?
9:23
Its a dig at the woman who looks like voldemort
Thank you David.
Saw his sister in another report, in tears when speaking about the transplant and EBV. Probably still blaming herself for what happened, even though she is absolutely not to blame.
They lived in the same town & I remember my Dad taking me downtown to watch the funeral procession & to pay our respects. He was my age & the whole thing was just sad.
Outside of The Woodlands.