The health care bill from a different perspective

On June 14 I had the great privilege to attend a fund raising banquet for Prenatal Partners for Life. This amazing organization helps women and families facing the news that their unborn child will be born with "abnormalities". From anacephaly to trisomy l8, spina bifida to cerebral palsey,and many other conditions, these children will face shortened lifespans or lives that will be challenging and different from "normal". But as Senator Rick Santorum pointed out, these children teach us how to love unconditionally.

This organization was started by a woman named Mary whose child was born with trisomy l8. She has a heart for families who are devasted by the news that their child will be born with a condition that may shorten their lives or bring challenges to their every day lives. She and others reach out to these families with a message of love, support and hope. The evening included a testimony from a mother who was forever changed by the help that she received. There was also a testimony from a woman from Canada named Barb who also had a child born with trisomy 13. Doctors told her and her family that their child would be severely affected and her condition was "not compatible with life". When their daughter Annie was born, she exhibiited none of the signs that doctors had said she would. She had some lung problems, but other than that she was a beautiful baby girl. At the age of 80 days, Barb brought her to the doctor with some minor breathing problems. The doctor said they would not treat her aggressivly and thought she would be fine in a few days. A few days later she had serious breathing difficulties and they returned to the emergency room. Annie was wisked away from the family and a few hours later died. The hospital told them it was because of her trisomy 13 and that this was the expected outcome with her condition. Barb never felt that she had all the information about Annie's final hours. Go to www.whathappenedtoannie.com She tells the story of common practices in Canada with disabled or premature newborns where so many compete for so few health care dollars. How many of us realize that the health care bill that was passed will affect the care of the most vulnerable among us, be it the disabled or the elderly.

Senator Santorum shared his personal faith journey and then about his daughter Isabella. She was also born with trisomy l8 and he told of how the entire family has been impacted in a powerful way by her life. She is not able to communicate verbally with them, but has a joy and love that ministers to each of them. He also shared the concerns about "socialized medicine" and told of doctors in the Netherlands who refused to do any experimental surgery on the disabled or Jewish people during WWII. They were the only European doctors to refuse to do so. Shortly after the war the Netherlands institued socialized medicine and today in the Netherlands, senior citizens wear bracelets that ask that they not be taken to the hospital in an emergency for fear of being euthanized against their wishes.

Prenatal Partners for Life is an organization worthy of our utmost respect. I highly recommend contacting them if you become aware of a family facing a pregnancy with any of these abnormalities. Please check their website to learn more.