

The touching story of David Vetter (bubble boy), the 'boy who lived in a bubble
How does it feel to be trapped in a bubble? For some, this implies living in isolation. However, David Vetter, a young Texas child, lived in the real world – though in a plastic bubble. David, dubbed “Bubble Boy,” was born in 1971 with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and was forced to live his whole life in a specially manufactured sterile plastic bubble until he died at the age of 12.
David would have been in 50’s if he had lived. Thanks to therapy made possible in part by David’s own blood cells, children with SCID can now live normal lives. According to a recent report, 14 of the 16 children who had the experimental therapy nine years ago are now adults.
But how did “Bubble Boy” do in life? Continue scrolling to see David’s heartbreaking story, which was put together with the cooperation of Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, and the PBS documentary “The Boy in the Bubble.”

On September 21, David was born in Houston’s Texas Children’s Hospital. He was placed in a plastic isolator bubble after 20 seconds of being exposed to the outside world.
Related topic you might find interesting:
- Inspiring Story Of Jono Lancaster, Abandoned By His Mother At Birth For This ‘Defect’ On His Face
- The Story Of Lionel The Lion-Faced Man, Stephan Bibrowski
- The Heartbreaking Story Of Ella Harper, The ‘Camel Girl’

David was not the family’s first kid to be born with SCID. Carol Ann and David J. Vetter’s first son died of the condition when he was a baby.
Carol Ann was informed by physicians that if she had another boy, her son would have a one in two chance of being born with SCID, an illness that only affects boys. The Vetters turned down an offer to have their child aborted.

Doctors thought David would outgrow SCID by the age of two, but he spent the rest of his childhood in “bubbles,” NASA-designed isolator containment units.

Is raising a child in a bubble ethical? That’s what 30 Texas Children’s Hospital employees wondered – and eventually decided it was.

Thanks to NASA, David made his first steps outside the isolator bubble when he was six years old. For David, the space agency created a unique spacesuit that allowed him to walk and play outside.
David had to crawl down an insulated tunnel to get from the isolator to the spacesuit.

To keep David’s environment sanitary, workers had to conduct a 24-step pre-excursion hookup and a 28-step suit-donning procedure each time he used his suit.

The complicated process of putting on the spacesuit was worth it for David and his mother, who was able to hold her son in her arms for the first time on July 29, 1977.

Dr. William Shearer, David’s personal physician, is shown in this 1979 photo during a visit. Dr. Shearer is now the director of Texas Children’s Hospital’s allergy and immunology clinic, where he treats children with SCID.

David received school lessons via his bubble and was able to keep up with the other children his age.

In September 1979, David posed for his annual portrait. Immunologists told him that a potential cure would take another ten years to develop.

David’s annual photograph was shot in September 1980.

In September 1982, David posed for his annual portrait. At the age of 11, he became more thoughtful and requested to see the stars. On his birthday, his family took him outside to enjoy the sky for 20 minutes.

Bone marrow transplants from ideal donors were traditionally used to treat immune diseases. However, in 1983, the Vetters learnt about a new process that would allow bone marrow transplants from non-perfectly matched donors, and they agreed to give it a try. Katherine, David’s sister, contributed her bone marrow. Prior to the procedure, Dr. William Shearer speaks with David.

David died of lymphoma four months after getting the bone marrow transplant from his sister, a malignancy that was later revealed to have been brought into his system by the Epstein-Barr virus. Shortly after his death, the Texas Children’s Allergy and Immunology Clinic established the David Center, which is dedicated to immune deficiency research, diagnosis, and therapy.

The History Behind the “No One Dies Alone” Program
In 1986, while doing a night shift at the hospital, Sandra Clarke, a registered nurse, was asked by an elderly patient to stay. She promised to be back after checking on her other patients, but by the time she returned, the gentleman had passed away. Clarke became one of the key figures in launching No One Dies Alone, a program that allows volunteers to sit with terminal patients who have no one else.

Top 10 Greatest and shocking Archaeological Discoveries of All Time
While we're all locked at home, there's no better way to escape to another time and place than to learn about amazing archeological sites and discoveries from around the world. Here are the 10 greatest and shocking archaeological discoveries —and don't be shocked if they inspire future trip plans whenever it's safe to do so again.

How 18th Century Women’s Rights Movements Shaped Modern Equality
The 18th century marked a turning point in the quest for women’s rights, as passionate voices challenged centuries of gender inequality and laid the groundwork for modern feminism. From pioneers like Mary Wollstonecraft to revolutionary declarations and early advocacy, this era sparked debates on education, political participation, and social justice that continue to resonate today. Journey through the origins of women’s rights movements and discover how their bold ideas shaped the fight for equality.

Robert Odlum, the first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge
The first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge was a professional high diver who "wanted to demonstrate that people did not die simply by falling through the air, thus encouraging people to be willing to jump from a burning building into a net." He proved himself correct by safely falling 135 feet through the air and dying only when he hit the water.

Saudi Arabia camel carvings dated to prehistoric era
Archaeologists were shocked to discover that a series of camels carved into desert rock faces in north-western Saudi Arabia are actually prehistoric, dating from 7,000-8,000 years ago - before either the Pyramids of Giza or Stonehenge were built.

Marion Stokes recorded 30 years of television
Marion Stokes, a Philadelphia woman began taping whatever was on television in 1979 and didn’t stop until her death in 2012. The 71,000 VHS and Betamax tapes she made are the most complete collection preserving this era of TV. They are being digitized by the Internet Archive.

How did Howard Florey discover penicillin
Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming, but he never attempted to turn it into an antibiotic. It wasn't until ten years later that Howard Florey discovered Fleming's obscure paper and understood the mold's potential. Up to 200 million lives may have been saved as a result of Florey's work.

Why the Word ‘Pen’ Comes from the Latin ‘Penna’ Meaning Feather
The humble word “pen” carries a rich history rooted in ancient times, derived from the Latin word penna, meaning “feather.” Long before modern pens revolutionized writing, feather quills—especially from geese—were the essential tools of scribes, scholars, and artists. This article journeys through the origins of the pen, its evolution, and fascinating trivia about the timeless connection between feathers and writing.

The history of Flour sack clothing fashion
After Kansas mill owners found women reused flour sack materials into apparel in the 1920s and 1930s, they started applying patterned designs to give families with more fashionable patterns and material.

Thomas Baker's heroic act that earned him the "Medal of Honor" was 8 bullets until death
Thomas Baker instructed his team to leave him with a pistol and eight bullets propped up against a tree after he was injured. Later, American troops discovered the now-deceased Baker in the same location, lying next to eight dead Japanese soldiers and carrying an empty pistol.

The story of a man who spent 72 hours with 72 venomous snakes to prove they only bite when provoked
In the 1980s, an Indian man spent 72 hours in a glass cabin with 72 snakes, some of which were extremely venomous. His aim was to prove that snakes only attack when provoked. Remarkably, he was not bitten once in those 72 hours and even set a Guinness World Record in the process.

Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler incident: Enemy became friends
During WWII, a German pilot spotted an American pilot’s crippled plane in the sky. Tailing it, he noticed that gunner was dead, crew injured, and they posed no threat. Instead of destroying the plane, he led it to safety. 40 years later, the two pilots reunited.

The day Iceland's women went on strike
Icelandic women went on strike for equal rights on October 24, 1975. 90% of women walked out of their jobs and homes, effectively shutting down the entire country. The men were struggling to keep up. The following year, Parliament passed a law requiring equal pay. Iceland elected the world's first female President five years later. Iceland now has the highest gender equality rate in the world.

The Littlest Skyscraper: How J.D. McMahon’s 480-Inch Con Fooled Investors in 1919
In 1919, J.D. McMahon convinced investors to fund a 480-foot skyscraper, but he labeled the plans as 480 inches, building a 40-foot structure instead. After taking $200,000, he won in court since the plans matched what he built.

15 interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled Britain for 70 years, has away at the age of 96. She was the country's longest-reigning monarch. Here are some little-known facts about her.

How Greek prime minister in 1830’s tried to spread the potato in Greece
A Greek prime minister in 1830’s tried to spread the potato in Greece but people weren’t interested so he put armed guards in front of shipments of potatoes so people would think they were important. People later started stealing these potatoes a lot which spread the crop to all of Greece.

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry
Before women were allowed to enroll in medical school, Margaret Ann Bulkley studied medicine and assumed the identity of Dr. James Barry for 56 years while dressing as a man. After 46 years of service as an army doctor officer, her secret was not made public until after her death in 1865.

The incredible story of a plane that lost its roof in mid-flight and the light signal that saved 94 lives.
On April 28, 1988, Aloha Airlines flight 243 was on the way to Honolulu from Hilo when a huge portion of the upper part of the fuselage blew off the airplane.

The 440-pound bear named Wojtek and his World War II battle against the Nazis
Polish troops raised an orphaned bear cub during WWII. He enjoyed drinking beer, and was trained to salute. He became officially enlisted as a member of the forces, and helped carry artillery during battle.

The Assassination Of King Alexander
The assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia marked a pivotal moment in the country's history. This article delves into the rise and reign of King Alexander, exploring his early life and ascension to the throne. It also examines the political and social climate in interwar Yugoslavia, setting the stage for the tensions and challenges that ultimately culminated in his tragic assassination. By understanding the context in which this event unfolded, we can better grasp the significance and impact it had on the nation and its future.

D.B. Cooper: Man who hijacked a plane and jumped out with a $200,000
On November 22, 1971, DB Cooper hijacked a Boeing 727, drank a whisky, smoked a fag, and then jumped out of the plane with $200,000. He was never again seen.

Martin Couney, Saved Thousands of Premature Babies Wasn’t a Doctor at All
Martin Couney never qualified as a medical doctor. However, in the 1900s, he saved thousands of premature babies by exhibiting them in incubators at his Coney Island sideshow. Over the course of his career, he is said to have saved about 6,500 babies that had previously been written off by mainstream medicine.

The Day an Israeli F-15 Landed with One Wing: Zivi Nedivi’s Unbelievable Mid-Air Survival
Discover the astonishing true story of Israeli pilot Zivi Nedivi, who safely landed an F-15 after a mid-air collision tore off its entire right wing. Learn how skill, quick thinking, and the F-15’s unique design turned a disaster into a legendary feat in aviation history

Keith Sapsford: The Story of 14-Year-Old Stowaway
The final image of 14-year-old Australian Keith Sapsford, who aspired to travel the world. In February 1970, he sneaked into the wheel-well of a plane flying from Sydney to Tokyo. It opened mid-air & fell out. When a photographer was testing a new lens, he captured this moment on film and was surprised when it developed.

Ancient Jericho: The First Walled City In History
The ancient city of Jericho is the world's oldest walled city, with evidence of stone fortifications dating back nearly 9000 years.