Life Issues

Pro-life education has a unique ability to change hearts and minds. Recently a young man was approached by pro-lifers with Live Action. They asked if they could show the man a video of what actually happens in an abortion. The man who had originally described himself as pro-choice had a change of heart after being confronted with the truth. After watching the video, he said that he was “disturbed” and his position shifted significantly toward protecting life. He was unaware of the development of the unborn in the womb, likely having heard the talking point that the unborn is “just a clump of cells.” When you and I take the time to educate those around us on the truth of what abortion is, we can create a culture of life one conversation at a time.

A newborn baby was discovered having been abandoned and left to die in a dumpster. When good Samaritans heard the cries of a baby they quickly investigated. When they found her she was covered in dirt and trash with her umbilical cord still attached. Her rescuer said that seeing the baby in that condition “broke her.” Thankfully the baby girl was taken to the hospital and is recovering but the national outrage highlights a point of hypocrisy. If the mother instead would have chosen to have her baby killed in a brutal abortion, the abortion industry would have celebrated as they cashed her check. Abortion advocates would have claimed it was “healthcare.” Unborn babies, just like newborn babies, deserve the right to life.

On Monday you’ll hear a new voice bringing you Life Issues each day. Retirement was always a word in my distant future. However, chronic health issues brought that day sooner than expected. For the past twenty-two years it’s been my absolute joy, honor, and privilege to be your source of breaking pro-life information. I’d often find myself reading exciting news thinking you’d want to hear this, or, you’ll enjoy this happy story. Often there were more newsworthy events than time allowed to cover. Along the way I’ve appreciated your notes of thanks and encouragement. You’ve felt like family and I will miss you. I’ll stay involved in the effort to save the babies and I pray you’ll do the same. Goodbye.

Liana Davis refused her boyfriend’s repeated requests and badgering for her to have an abortion. In spite of her rejection to kill their unborn child, Christopher Cooprider ordered the death drugs from an out of state source called Aid Access because abortion is illegal in Texas. He had no problem receiving the pills even though he wasn’t the pregnant woman and lived in Texas. He then put the pills into Liana’s drink without her knowledge and killed their unborn child. Liana is now suing both Christopher and Aid Access for the wrongful death of her baby. The outcome of this lawsuit is important. If it succeeds it may be a blueprint for how we stop the illegal mailing of deadly chemical abortion pills into states with laws protecting unborn children. Please be praying.

This is yet another example of how pro-lifers truly care about babies and their parents. The pro-life group called LoveLine held a diaper drive to help the flood victims in Texas. They collected and delivered more than fifty-four thousand diapers, over five thousand training pants, and sixty-six thousand wipes to a pregnancy center in Kerrville, Texas. This is where more than one hundred people lost their lives in flash floods. Ten pallets of goods are being dispersed to those who desperately need them. Initially, their goal was to raise twenty thousand dollars for this effort. That goal was reached within seventy-two hours. This shows the generosity and love of pro-lifers who opened their hearts and wallets to those in need. Let’s praise Jesus who never leaves the sides of those who grieve. Please keep them in your prayers.

The medical team at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children introduced a twin cot for its NICU.  It allows nurses and doctors to personalize care for each twin yet permits them to have close physical contact like they’re used to in the womb.  The first pair of twins to try it out were Macie and Marcus, born very prematurely and not given a strong chance of living.  These babies defied all odds and after twelve weeks in NICU they went home thriving.  Mom credits prayer for their survival.  Macie and Marcus are still sleeping side-by-side in their crib, perhaps the way God intended it to be.  One nurse at the hospital said the addition of the twin cot was “brilliant.”  I agree and hope many other hospitals replicate such a simple yet crucial tool.

We are in an era of back alley-type abortions in America.  Over eleven percent of women who use chemical abortion pills end up in the ER or hospital.  Conventional surgical abortion is also maiming women while killing their babies.  Three women were seriously injured in Chicago-area abortion mills in just one month.  This past January a young woman suffered a uterine perforation inside a Planned Parenthood mill.  At another Planned Parenthood, staffers called 911 saying “We can’t get it under control.”  The “it” referred to was the woman’s bleeding.  At the third abortion mill evidence points to yet another uterine perforation.  These botched abortions inflict emotional trauma in addition to their significant physical suffering.  Legal back alley abortions must stop tormenting women.        

Christopher Melton was a Forrest City, Arkansas firefighter when he posted a pro-life meme on his private Facebook page.  It featured a drawing of a pregnant woman with the unborn baby saying, “I’m just a clump of cells…I have no voice.  Give me a voice, don’t make me a choice!”  A black female employee filed a complaint, claiming the words “clump of cells” was derogatory toward blacks.  An Equal Employment Opportunity officer concluded his post created a hostile work environment and he was fired.  Christopher sued and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with him.  It ruled “the cartoon itself contains no reference to race,” so the lawsuit can proceed.  Christopher’s seeking reinstatement as a firefighter with back pay and damages.  Looks like justice will prevail.

The survival rate for extreme preemies is rising.  Babies born at twenty-two weeks, just past the halfway point have a survival rate up to forty-one percent.  At twenty-three weeks survival goes up considerably.  But sadly, there’s a great discrepancy how many hospitals are equipped or will treat them, and, boy, the attitude of some doctors.  Tuff Born was born at twenty-two weeks and one day.  Michaela and Jake, his parents were told by doctors Tuff would be seriously disabled with no quality of life.  Tuff spent a long time in the NICU but now at two years old, Michaela said he’s “running around just like any other two year old.  Full of energy and babbling nonstop.”  Clearly our doctors and hospitals need to let God be God and give life a chance.      

Those who’ve been around for a while know the name Kim Novak. She was a popular Hollywood actress in the sixties. Now ninety-two, Kim decided to unburden herself in a documentary regarding a family secret. Unable to afford a child, her mother tried to abort her using knitting needles. When that failed she tried infanticide, attempting to suffocate Kim with a pillow. Throughout her life Kim has had breathing issues. An older brother preceded her in death but it is uncertain whether this was an abortion or miscarriage. Ironically, she remembers her mom telling her she’s the captain of her own ship. Kim left Hollywood early in her career. She said “Hollywood swallows people whole. I didn’t want that to happen to me.” So, she took solace in painting.