God doesn't give children with special needs to strong people; He gives children with special needs to ordinary, weak people and then gives them strength. Raising a child with special needs doesn't take a special family, it makes a special family.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Do you ever feel like you want to do something to make a difference but you just don't quite know what to do? Well keep reading and you can see how YOU can help make a difference. October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month and I, along with many other SB moms, want people to be aware of just how special our kids are. So many of my fellow SB mom's learned of their child's diagnosis during October. We would have learned that Brenden would be born with SB if it had been detected on our ultrasound, which was October 25th, 2007 It's unfortunate that many moms who learn that their unborn baby will have SB, don't see their child as special, so they choose termination.

Here is your chance to do something. Something bigger than me or you. Something so powerful that it could change someones life. Something so powerful that could let unborn babies live.

This Wednesday, from 12-1pm has been declared as Spina Bifida Kids Worldwide Day of Prayer. Many of you know just how powerful prayer can be. There is no question in my mind that the hundreds of people bathing Brenden in prayer is what has brought him so far. As of right now, there are 1151 people committed to praying. That is amazing!!!!! If you don't know what to pray, here are some specific things that you can pray:

1. There is one woman in particular who is on our hearts. God knows who she is. She is expecting a child with Spina Bifida, and she is afraid and considering termination. Today (Wednesday) is her appointment with a pediatric neurosurgeon to find out the severity of her baby’s case and to learn more about the diagnosis. Please pray that she will go to this appointment with an open heart and mind, that the doctor will give her a prognosis that is realistic and hopeful (we believe these adjectives are not mutually exclusive when talking about SB), and that most of all, God will give this woman a peace beyond understanding and a clear indication that she should keep her baby or give it up for adoption. There are many mothers willing to adopt this baby.

2. Obstetricians are usually the doctors who first diagnose Spina Bifida based on a prenatal ultrasound. Unfortunately, most know very little about SB except for what to look for on the ultrasound. Many of us were told by our OBs very scary and inaccurate information, such as “Your baby will likely not survive,” “She will be a vegetable,” “Terminating is the most loving thing you can do for this baby.” If this is the first time you’ve really even heard of SB, and a doctor you trust tells you this, you’re probably going to believe it. Please pray that these doctors will be educated about the SB prognosis so that they can give the diagnosis accurately and compassionately.

3. We SB moms will always remember the day we received the diagnosis as one of the most terrifying days of our lives. An initial grief response is denial, which often presents as “Please make this problem go away.” Termination is offered quickly. Please pray for these mothers and fathers, that they will first and foremost trust God to get them through this scary and uncertain time instead of letting fear guide their decisions. That God will draw near to them and make His presence known, as He did for so many of us. That these parents will be so filled with His peace about the future and love for their child that they will consider carrying the baby to term the easiest choice.

4. These precious babies are absolutely innocent and helpless. They are being thrown away because they are not “perfect.” Not one of us is perfect. Please pray for the lives of these babies to be spared. That each movement and kick will remind the mother that God knit that baby in her womb exactly as he or she should be. That their lives will bring glory to our Father.

5. Many of us SB parents cite the support of our family members and friends as the biggest comfort during the time right after receiving the diagnosis. But there are also families and friends who are unsupportive and even encouraging of termination. Please pray for these family members and friends, that God will use them to minister healing to the parents’ breaking hearts. That they will be wholly supportive, not hurtful, and they will lift up and help these parents as their raise their child.

I also ask that you pray for Brenden. Pray for healing of this cyst on his spine. Pray that when we go for his next MRI, there is no sign of it.

An hour of your time is all it takes to help make a difference. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, just pray. And know that you could could help a mother choose life for her unborn baby.

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