This is part 2 of V.2.0 of a continuing story, "The Murphy Family",
last updated September 15, 1995. You may wish to view Part one.

Text and photos © 1995 Michael A. Schwarz

Jonathan's
Battle

 

Eight year-old Jonathan Murphy struggled with Leukemia for 5 years, finally succumbing to the disease at home, surrounded by his parents and siblings. His parents, John and Jeannette, have adopted 19 children over the years, most with Down Syndrome and have had 3 other children die, all as infants. Jonathan's death was the hardest of all, they say, because he had been a member of the family the longest and because of his impish charismatic personality

 

(Top right) During a brief hospital stay, Jonathan struggles to breath before undergoing treratment with a respiratory therapist (above). Afterwards, despite his own loss of hair due to chemotherapy, he teases his dad about his hairstyle (left).

 

Home from the hospital and following months of stable health, Jonathan takes a steady downturn and the doctors say there is no more that can be done for him. He breathes oxygen while playing with his new sister Emily.

 

 

Jonathan's parents and two family friends gather at his bedside for a prayer following his quiet death at home while they wait for the funeral home to pickup his body.

 


John Murphy carries the body of his son to a waiting hearse.


Jonathan's sister Bethany runs to his body to kiss
his foot as his father places him in the hearse.

Jonathan's mom and grandmother hug near his open casket.

About this page
"The Murphy Family" is an ongoing documentation of an unusual American family. Because of the unique opportunities provided by Web publishing, this page will be regularly updated to provide a chronicle of the progress of the family as it grows and ages. Check back every few months for new photos.
About the photographer
Michael A. Schwarz is a freelance editorial and corporate photojournalist based in Atlanta, GA. His work can often be found in Fortune, The Chronicle of Higher Education, U.S. News & World Report, Business Week, National Geographic Traveler, and USA Today. He can be reached at atlphoto@mindspring.com or 404-584-8141. Return to Schwarz Illustrated Home Page.
A word about copyright
All text and photos on this page are © copyright Michael A. Schwarz and may not be legally reproduced without prior permsission beyond the screen you are currently viewing . The text and photos are not in the public domain and are not freeware. I respectfully ask that you do not copy them to another computer, transmit, publish, reproduce, alter or use them to base an illustration or other photographic interpretation. I thank you for abiding by the copyright laws of the USA. If you would like to reproduce these photos I can direct you to the proper licensing agencies. Contact me at atlphoto@mindspring.com or 404-584-8141.