~OUR INHERIT RIGHT TO LIFE~

http://youthprotectingyouth.com/2010/10/27/echoes-of-a-lecture/

~My first article is going to be about a blog which I have just completed reading.  I know this is a controversial subject for many---but this is MY blog, so this is about MY 2 CENTS.  Here we go---

I'll just jump in with both feet and share a quote from this blog:

"I have a friend who’s second child had trisomy 13. She was traumatized by the pressure that was put upon her by her doctor and the hospital staff who urged her to have an abortion. She was given little support when she refused. My friend entrusted her child to the care of those medical practitioners, but they considered the child of no account. But the child was accepted and loved by his family from the time he was conceived until the day he died. His little heart did not have the strength to keep him alive more than a few months after his birth, but his parents’ hearts had the strength to love him through his short life."

I too was faced with this negativity and condemnation, all because I saw the value in my unborn son's life.  I had to fight for his right to live and be accepted amongst those which we were relying on to save him.  In this modern day, we have the medical technology to save lives against all odds, why not just try anything possible to allow my son to survive? 

It's a self-fulfilling prophecy to say a life is "medically futile" when you've not done anything to the contrary to try and stop this from occurring.  To me, "medically futile" means that you have tried everything medically and scientifically possible and it just didn't make a difference.  Then, and only then, can you determine medical futility in my eyes.

She goes on to say:

"So it came to my mind that it is not possible for us to judge people according to their capabilities. Often, neither we nor they will have any control over what those capabilities are. We can only judge others according to our own capability to love them. That is all. Whether man or woman, black or brown, gay or straight, intelligent or simple, born or unborn: our judgments are nothing other than our own successes or failures at love."

I believe in this so strongly, because I too had my own prenatal journey with my unborn son that was also diagnosed with Trisomy 13.   Bennett-Chadlen has been a beacon in my life, pointing me towards a greater understanding of unconditional love and complete acceptance of all humanity.  He has changed me as a person, us as a family, and opened up my heart in a way that no one has ever been able to.

I too had to fight for my son's right to life and treatment options within our medical community.  I was offered termination, and refused to even consider such a thing, for I did my own research and I saw the faces of these beautiful living children, and saw photographs and videos of these innocent children with their parents, siblings, grandparents, and family friends.  I read the stories of the families whose lives have been touched by Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18......or any chromosomal disorder---and they all had the same message:  What a blessing these children have been to their lives!

How could I not want this opportunity for myself and my own family?  I knew it wouldn't be easy to raise a developmentally challenged child, but I was ready to give it my all.  Ever since early childhood the only thing I wanted to do when I grew up was to be a full-time, hands-on Mommy.  It has been my goal to be the best, most-loving Mother that any child could ever dream of having.  I was not afraid of the commitment and time that would be required for my son.

He's my son!!!  I loved him from the moment I knew he was coming into my life, and nothing was going to change that or take it away from me.

I remember how devastated I was to find out half-way through my pregnancy that he was probably going to die from all sorts of horribly, disfiguring anomalies that sometimes come along with a Trisomy diagnosis-----but the truth is, he had none of those things.  What a miracle he was.  He was perfect all the way to his tiny extra pinky fingers and baby-toes! 

I just have to say that I pass no judgment on anyone for their own choices when faced with a similar diagnosis or birth defect.  It's a difficult choice to make either way, for facing the unknown future can be very scary and some just don't want to take the risks involved and/or fear the 'end of life care' that often comes along with this diagnosis.

I figured that if my son's life was going to end, I'd allow him and our Creator to decide the precise moment and fashion in which this would occur.  I could not choose the date or time, and left that up to the universe to decide and I'd just prepare for it the best way that I could, arming myself with faith, knowledge, courage and strength to get through it.

Why does our inherit worth in life have to revolve around how much money we earn, which occupation we have, and the material possessions which we may, or may not, possess?  I truly do not understand what a selfish and narrow-minded society that we have become.


I'll end it here, because I truly could vent all day on that topic---but I'll save that for another post, on another day.

"Don't judge me for my choices, and I won't judge you for yours."

Let's all just love and support each other unconditionally and oh, what a better world we will create for ourselves and our loved ones.

Love, Peace, & Nimkee Blessings to you all.......M

Bennett-Chadlen, forever 8 days old.  March 29--Good Friday, April 6, 2007  Rest in Peace, Sweet Nimkee, Gzaagin xxoo