We recently watched a news clip from January 10, 2022 showing a young woman driving up to a large dumpster, opening the rear door of her car, grabbing a black bag, flinging it into the dumpster, and driving away. Six hours later, passersby rummaging through the trash heard what sounded like a kitten crying. I cried as I watched a woman tenderly cuddle and caress an infant after finding the newborn boy inside that bag, while her friend called 911. My heart goes out to the teen mom, 18 years old, reportedly afraid and unsure of what to do, claiming she didn't know she was pregnant. Reading that she and her boyfriend had broken up last summer, I was also saddened that the baby's father had had no say in the future life of his child when she threw their baby into the trash. I also hope she gets some good counseling. 

Yet, every state has safe haven laws providing a drop-off at police and fire departments, even at hospitals. Not considered abandonment of an infant up to each state’s specified age limit, safe havens will place the infant in protective custody for foster care or adoption. When teaching sex ed to our teens, perhaps it’s time we tell them about safe havens and that there are many options where someone can turn to for help, not just for an abortion, and not to throw their baby away like garbage. 

I have also read and heard stories about survivors of attempted abortion left to die by abortion clinic personnel – infanticide is the appropriate term. Thankfully, compassion stirred the hearts of staff who sought medical care for these infants who were later adopted and loved, some of whom were born with defects due to the abortion procedure, some going on to become outspoken pro-life advocates for the value of every human life.  As one abortion survivor, Melissa Ohden, stated, “Something’s wrong when women’s empowerment is based on ending another human being’s life.”

On February 25, 2019, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act by a vote of 53-44. It would have protected infants born alive following an abortion attempt. Independent journalist, Thor Benson, tweeted that “there is no such thing as an abortion survivor.” What a false narrative he promoted!

Among a number of abortion survivors is Gianna Jessen, “born during a saline abortion” per her birth certificate with resultant cerebral palsy, a powerful pro-life speaker.  On August 22, 2013, Gianna shared her emotional journey with an Australian government audience, “We are in a battle for life and death. Which side are you on?… If abortion is just about women’s rights, then what am I? … What arrogance… that the stronger should dominate the weaker, and determine who should live or die. You cannot make your own heart beat. It is the mercy of God that sustains you, even when you hate Him… I am weaker than most of you, but this is my sermon. What a small price to pay to be able to blaze through the world as I do and offer hope. God is in control and He has a way of making the most miserable thing beautiful…”  

With today being “Sanctity of Human Life” Sunday, I believe that extends to far more than the pro-life movement.  To me, it’s not a political issue, but one that affects our moral fiber because all life is sacred.  The intrinsic value we place on life determines how we treat others around us.  Though I realize there are differing opinions on abortion, this is a story dear to my heart. An edited and condensed version of this reflection and poem was first published at Do Justice, a section of the Office of Social Justice website for the Christian Reformed Church.

With the 49th anniversary of January 1973’s Roe v. Wade abortion decision, I share the story of a young mother-to-be.  She already had two healthy children, but this pregnancy made her very ill, vomiting frequently, steadily worsening.  Struggling to carry this new life, her doctor sought a “medically necessary” abortion.  Three doctors needed to sign documentation indicating her life was in jeopardy if the pregnancy continued.  But, no third physician would add his name. 

A Cesarean section was performed at 7 months’ gestation or risk losing both mother and baby.  To everyone's surprise, twin boys were born!  After surgery, the mom nearly died from the effects of toxemia (i.e. pre-eclampsia), the result of high blood pressure and the demands on her body by two babies.

With much prayer and great medical care, she pulled through.  But, the largest twin at 5 lbs, born with an enlarged heart, died at two days of age, while the smaller twin at 3-1/2 lbs spent a month in an incubator.  This tiny preemie survived, albeit with health problems and very limited vision in only one viable eye. 

How do I know?  The smaller twin is my husband, Edward.  We praise God that no third physician was willing to sign for an abortion which would have killed these boys before they were given a chance at life.

By 1951, major medical centers knew that high levels of oxygen in incubators led to infant retinal damage and blindness.  But, physicians at the small hospital in Goshen, NY’s farming community were not yet aware in 1952.  As a toddler, Ed was seen by a specialist in Boston who gave him his first glasses.  Later, at about age 5, with stronger lenses, gazing out the car window he shouted, “I see them!”  Though blurry, kids sledding down a hill was something he’d never seen before.  Telling this story never failed to bring tears to his mother’s eyes.  Ed also recalls that was when he first saw outdoor Christmas light decorations.

Taken to Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City when age 8 or 10, his parents learned he was among about 2000 children seen in their clinic, one of only seven children with some remnants of vision.  The optic nerve to his right eye was destroyed, while his left eye had limited vision, 20/200 with ultimate correction. 

As Ed grew up, he was determined to do nearly everything everyone else could.  Totally blind since 1998, we consider it a blessing he had limited sight for as long as he did.  The renowned musician, Stevie Wonder, has the same condition causing his blindness.  First identified in 1941, it wasn’t until 1951 that retrolental fibroplasia was proven to be caused by high-concentration oxygen in the incubator contributing to abnormal blood vessel growth which damaged the retina.  Now termed retinopathy of prematurity, it still affects a small percentage of very premature infants. 

At about 18-21 days, the pre-born infant’s heart begins beating.  By 12 weeks, she is about 2 inches long, fully formed and recognizably human, able to feel pain.  By 14-16 weeks, being fully formed, fingers and toes have fingerprints and nails, he sees and blinks, inhales and exhales amniotic fluid, kicks, may suck a thumb, and sleeps regularly.  At full-term, 39-40 weeks, your baby is ready for life outside the nurturing womb. Your infant is not just a blob of cells and tissue, but a very real baby.

Since Roe v. Wade was passed January 22, 1973 allowing legal abortions in America, the numbers have reached an approximate 58.6 or 59.1 million by 2016 (depending on source).  While some data is voluntarily reported, I read other American states have not provided details in years, along with untold uncounted abortions.  

For anyone who has aborted their baby for whatever reason, I pray she finds peace.  But, my prayer is also that each precious life be allowed to reach his or her full potential and purpose, regardless of disability.  Yet, I realize there are women in situations for whom an abortion may truly be necessary.  Such personal decisions must be difficult and painful. 

I’ve often thought that if we care so much for those in the animal and plant world, protecting and preserving so many species from decimation, how much more precious is each and every human life?  How can we destroy human life through abortion simply because the pregnancy doesn’t fit our plans, may be the result of abuse or rape, or the pre-born child is “defective” and may be a “burden” to society?  Do we justify abortion because some parents can’t afford a baby, are unprepared to care for their children, might abuse them or kill them?  Difficult scenarios; but, even in our imperfect world, there is help including viable alternatives like adoption.  As abortion survivors will tell you, they are very thankful to be alive, even children born to rape victims… simply because their mother cared enough to give them the gift of life.

My cousin, Randy, with an intellectual disability, grew up a kind and loving young man thanks to the love of his widowed mother, Marjorie.  Despite his disabilities, he had a strong faith in his Lord, and knew everything there was to know about his favorite baseball team and its players! 

My step-sister’s son, Cory, was born with DeGeorge syndrome due to a missing part of chromosome 22.   Like many with disabilities, Cory had an infectious joy for life and an unconditional love for everyone he met, thanks to his mother, Janet.

Anyone who has miscarried an unborn child understands the pain of loss. I miscarried our first little girl, Heather, at six months, apparently twins who didn’t separate, and 11 months later miscarried another little one at 3-1/2 months.

Despite our own disabilities, some greater than others, we are each created unique and have a special place in this world for touching the lives of others.  Life is sacred, and each pre-born child is a treasured gift from God just waiting for us to open our arms and heart to their precious life. 

As David wrote in Psalm 139:13-16:  “…you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 

What If…

Linda A. Roorda

What if…

There was no God?

Would we know how to love

Or, would ego rule our lives?

Would we each decide

What laws to live by

Changing like the wind

As our wants wrest control?

 

Would we violate

The sanctity of life

Simply because

Life would not matter

Except for the worth

We each determine

How best we can serve

Our selfish ambition?

 

And yet, what if…

Each life among us

Was somehow meant

To open the eyes

Of our heart and soul

To a higher purpose

To show the value

Inherent within

No matter the wrapping?

 

And what if…

We move toward each other

And then extend

Our outstretched hands?

Would that not show

Great caring and love

From within the depths

Of a heart overflowing?

 

For is that not like

The hands of One

Extended outward

Nailed upon a beam

To show us how

We too should love

And sacrifice self

Our gift to each other?

 

Because… what if…

There is a God

Who really cares

And Who truly loves

Each for who we are?

For His life was a gift

That we would know

Just how we should love.

~~

Photo of young Ed doing his favorite thing - listening to music, knowing exactly which record was which by memorizing the logo/name on each record!