As her 15-year-old son courageously fights a rare and aggressive bone cancer from a hospital room in California, Brittney Battles Roberts has a message for those posting hurtful comments.
"You don't have to agree with every decision we've made," Roberts said. "But unless you've had a front row seat to your own child asking if they're dying, there are some conversations you simply cannot understand from the comment section."
Roberts shared multiple comments from people calling Will Roberts a guinea pig and telling her to take him back home to Ralph, Alabama.
"You're talking about death too much," one poster commented.
"You're making him afraid," another one said.
After receiving the DeltaRex-G treatment, which is only available in California, the Roberts family has continued to share his journey on social media. Roberts said the family was aware that sharing details would open them up to opinions, but she wants people to understand her family's challenges.
"We have thick skin. We chose to share our journey publicly knowing it would invite opinions from people who have never met us," Roberts responded. "We can handle criticism. This isn't about shaming anyone. It's about helping people understand what life is really like inside a pediatric cancer room. If this makes just one person stop and think before commenting pure internet ignorance on another family's tragedy, then it's worth sharing."
SEE ALSO: 'God is bigger': Will Roberts shares incredible cancer journey update
Roberts said her son's treatment has been highly researched, and he is the one choosing to continue the fight. She said her family has taken every moment as it comes. With prayerful encouragement, she said they have had to face the reality that her son is facing death.
"Hope isn't pretending death isn't possible," she added. "It is believing there is purpose in every breath God gives you while still acknowledging tomorrow isn't promised to any of us."
Until someone is in the position of living out of hospitals to fight for their child, Roberts said, they cannot understand the tough decisions that must be made every day.
Roberts said she hopes her message will help other parents avoid harsh criticism.
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