Pro-life

Chelsea puts together another awesome episode of BioTalk:

In recent years, modern academics have managed to recast “eugenics” as a positive term, distinguishing their vision from past government-mandated eugenics policies. The emphasis now is on “selective reproduction” and the parents’ “choice” to decide what kind of child they want to have. The result has been a search and destroy mission to wipe people with Down syndrome off of the planet through eugenic abortion. And it has taken so much love and joy out of the world.

In the latest episode of BioTalk, Rebecca Taylor and Chelsea Zimmerman “raise awareness” about the good news about Down syndrome. Not only is life with Ds not as bleak as most parents are told when their child is prenatally diagnosed, but scientists are making significant advancements in the treatment some of the more serious side-effects of the disorder.

• Pro-life 1.0 deals with "the taking of life."  Abortion, assisted suicide, and euthanasia


• Pro-life 2.0 deals with "the making of life."  Artificial insemination, IVF, surrogacy, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, egg and sperm "donation"


• Pro-life 3.0 deals with "the remaking of life."  Genetic engineering, human enhancements, nanotechnology, human cloning, transhumanism

"It was not poverty that had to be reduced or even eliminated: it was the poor."
The progressive has never abandoned this approach.  They continue to advocate getting rid of the people with the problem instead of tackling the problem.

The progressive way is not only evil, it never works.  Why?  Because untimely death is not a solution.  Death instead steals away any possibility of a solution.  The problem remains to plague another.

The right way recognizes this.  The right way acknowledges that the way to solve our issues is to start from the foundation that all human life is valuable. Degrading and discarding life does nothing to remedy the underlying problem.  Unless ALL human beings have moral worth and deserve dignity and respect, what would be the point of trying to solve our problems anyway?

In an analysis of 104 potential kidney donors, researchers at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine and Feinstein Institute for Medical Research found that 23 percent of the patients were classified as morbidly obese.  A person who is classified as morbidly obese is not able to donate an organ.

Obese people are largely considered bad candidates for organ transplantation due to the strain the surgery and healing will put on their bodies.  At times, Obese donors are put on diet and behavior management programs and doctors chart their progress monthly to determine if their eligibility has changed.   Only 3% of those who try to lose the weight and become donors succeed.

Sachdeva offered the following recommendation for obese participants:

    “We need to target that 30 percent who are really motivated to lose weight. What can we do differently?  We could put them in a more rigorous weight loss program, have closer follow-up, offer motivational support groups or even in some participants – if their BMI permits – consider bariatric surgery.”

Leticia Velasquez had done the world a great service with her new book

God does not choose the equipped, but rather He equips the chosen.

So on my way to my room, the nurses circled my gurney and said coldly, "We regret to tell you that this child has symptoms consistent with Down Syndrome."

I was ready with my response.  "This child will never take drugs, go Goth, or shoot up a classroom.  She'll learn the Faith and keep it her whole life.  She's my best chance at getting a daughter to Heaven, and I consider her a special blessing from God." My answer came from a book Pregnancy Diary, by Mary Arnold, which I had read regularly for inspiration.

With a 92% abortion rate for babies diagnosed with Down syndrome, and new specialized testing available to test even earlier in the pregnancy, I know now that God has a task for all of us: to tell the world what a blessing children with Down syndrome are. All life that God has created is sacred, and it is our job to bring the truth to everyone who crosses our path.

Many of my readers already know Nick Vujicic. Nick was born without arms or legs and has dedicated his life to spreading the Good News. His accomplishments are numerous including starting his own non-profit foundation, Life Without Limbs and starring with Eduardo Verastegui (of Bella fame) in The Butterfly Circus.

Imagine my surprise when I found Nick covering my favorite artist Tyrone Wells. "More" is itself an inspirational song, but it transcends with Nick and his story, becoming an anthem for the Culture of Life.  Check it out:

Tyrone is an amazing musician in his own right. If you ever have the chance to see him live, do it. You won't regret it! Here is Tyrone's version of "More."

Tyrone Wells is my favorite singer songwriter.  I recently went to one of his shows and he played his new song "Grace is Dancing."  Grace is a two year old girl with Down Syndrome.  Tyrone is a great story teller as well as a top-notch musician and he related the story of little Grace. 

When Grace was diagnosed with Down Syndrome her parents were pressured to abort.  They did not.  But Grace came early at only 24 weeks in an emergency delivery.  Not only did she have Down Syndrome but she was extremely premature.  The doctors said she may never walk or talk or even survive. 

Today Grace is not only two and walking and talking, but she is dancing.  This fact inspired Tyrone to write a song for Grace.  Following are videos of Tyrone performing "Grace is Dancing".  The first video is the full song where Tyrone tells Grace's story.  In the second, there is a glimpse of little Grace in the audience.  (You can hear Tyrone get at little choked up at the sight of Grace with her father.)

I spoke to Tyrone Wells after the show and thanked him for writing such a beautiful song for a child with Down Syndrome.  In a society where nearly 90% of all Down Syndrome children are aborted, a song celebrating the life of a Down Syndrome child is sorely needed. 

I wish there was a special song for every child with Downs.  I think "Grace is Dancing" is a great start.  Grace is Dancing is available on iTunes.  Please share it with everyone you know.  We all need to be reminded all life is precious, even life lived with an extra chromosome.

Rest in peace Dr. Mildred Jefferson, the first African-American woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School.  An avid pro-life advocate, she said the following profound words that grow more important everyday:

“I am at once a physician, a citizen and a woman, and I am not willing to stand aside and allow this concept of expendable human lives to turn this great land of ours into just another exclusive reservation where only the perfect, the privileged and the planned have the right to live.”

Looking for hope on what I believe to be a sad day for America, I found this.  From a new movie about 4 babies from around the world simply called "Babies" 

In honor of the 40 Days for Life here is my youngest outside Planned Parenthood.

I have said it many times, we abandon the human embryo at our own peril.  By dehumanizing this tiny member of our species, we chip away at our own dignity and worth.  A new initiative recognizes that to be pro-life is to be about protecting ALL human life, everywhere, even the tiny ones on ice.  It is called the I Am Whole Life Initiative and it's ethic is this:

The Whole Life ethic acknowledges that issues that appear to be separate such as human sex trafficking, political violence, famine, abortion, female genital mutilation, euthanasia, pornography, embryo destruction and many others are actually related threats to the dignity of the human person.

The Whole Life ethic recognizes that a threat anywhere to human dignity constitutes a threat to human dignity everywhere.

The Whole Life ethic is dedicated to promoting and defending human dignity in all its stages. In the United States the biggest threat is abortion, other places it may be female genital mutilation, famine, forced sterilization, or lack of civil rights.

You can sign the I Am Whole Life pledge, which is the following:

The I am Whole Life Pledge

The I am Whole Life Initiative is the brain child of Jason Jones, the producer of the wonderful movie Bella. Jones is also the founder of the Human-Rights Education and Relief Organization or HERO which distributed $2 milion in food, medicine and other aid to Sudan this year.

Read more about Jason Jones and his efforts for Whole-life at World Net Daily.