A LINE THAT WAS DRAWN: The True Story of Tony Estlinbaum, One of the First U.S. Children Hospitalized with H1N1, Otherwise Known as Swine Flu

The true story of Tony Estlinbaum, one of the first U.S. children hospitalized with H1N1, otherwise known as Swine Flu. This 10-year-old football player was admitted to three different hospitals during his battle with the H1N1 and he was joined with countless life saving machines. His parents, Hugh and Lizzy, felt compelled to speak to other parents through the media about the severity of the H1N1 and the speed at which it could escalate. Tony had his first collapsed lung within 24 hours of developing a fever. Trying to find balance between Tony, his two siblings, loved ones and media events left the Estlinbaum family demoralized. But, knowing this kind of information could save lives strengthened them. Tony's story quickly gained national attention because he was one of the hardest hit children with no underlying medical conditions. Doctors said, "There is no more we can do for your child. This is the line in the sand." The Centers for Disease Control later called Tony "a miracle child."