It’s hard to imagine anything more painful than losing a child – whether that child has been born or not. Omri and Shani Casspi were joyfully expecting their fourth child, but on Sunday night, Shani took to social media to share devastating news: the couple had made the incredibly difficult decision to end the pregnancy, just one month after publicly announcing it.
“I have no idea where to begin,” Shani wrote on Instagram. “I’m not going to make this dramatic or express myself emotionally because that’s not really me, especially not on such a sensitive topic online. Things are tough enough already, and most of us have been through hard things. There’s no need to burden others with my sorrow. But I do feel like I need to get this out, especially since I shared something so special with you – and in the end, something else happened.”
She continued: “Not that I owe anyone an explanation, but when I walk down the street and people congratulate me or ask about the pregnancy, I put on a mask and pretend everything’s fine, smiling, while inside, I just want to disappear.”
At 14 weeks, Shani went in for her first scan, something she had taken for granted after all previous tests had come back normal.
“As I sat there hearing, ‘That’s normal, that’s normal, that’s normal,’ suddenly the doctor said, ‘This doesn’t look right.’ I said, ‘You’re joking,’ and he said, ‘No, I’m really not.’”
That same day, she was referred to a hospital for a second opinion with an ultrasound specialist.
“He saw the same medical issue and called in two more doctors to take a look,” she said. “We were thrown into a whirlwind of three weeks of tests, meetings with specialists, consultations with professionals, and even a rabbi. We hoped for a miracle.”
Eventually, the Casspis had to face a heartbreaking truth
“In week 18, we made the hardest decision of our lives – to end the pregnancy,” she wrote. “Right now, I’m recovering physically and emotionally. I’m grateful for the three treasures we have at home. Thank you to everyone for the messages, support, care, and concern.”
In closing, Shani shared a message of solidarity and strength with other women.
“You are not alone. Unfortunately, this happens to many women. You can’t let yourself spiral into the ‘Why us?’ It’s part of life, and we have to try to look at the full half of the glass – as hard as that may be. Yours, Shani.”
Casspi, a beloved figure in Israeli sports, made history as the first Israeli to be drafted into the NBA, selected 23rd overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2009. Over a decade-long NBA career, he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, and Golden State Warriors before returning to Israel and eventually retiring in 2021 due to injury. His contributions to basketball both abroad and at home have made him a national icon.