There’s a heartwarming story this week in the Chicago Sun-Times about Amanda Schulten, a 21-year old woman from Marengo, Illinois, who is seven months pregnant with conjoined twin daughters, whom she has already named Faith and Hope.
In spite of her daughters’ very low chance of survival, Amanda’s Catholic faith guides her to believe that there is no other option but to let nature its course. In the article, she is quoted as saying, “He has a plan for me, and for them. We never know when our last day will be. We have to enjoy it, and appreciate health while we have it.”
(Reading these words of Amanda’s, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the beautiful video “99 Balloons” — which has received nearly 3.5 million views on YouTube) about a young couple who gave birth to a son with Edwards Syndrome.)
Selflessness in the Face of Heartlessness
What struck me most about the article was the stunning contrast between, on the one hand, Amanda’s attitude of selflessness and unconditional love for her daughters, and, on the other, the absolutely cruel and heartless comments that she has had to endure from others who think she should just get an abortion instead.
After a routine ultrasound on April 1 revealed she was carrying twins, she got a call from her doctor, who wanted to see her the following Monday morning:
“The doctor said the babies won’t make it, and termination is the best option,” Amanda said. “I broke down. I wasn’t thinking about abortion, I was thinking, ‘Will they survive?’ Not ‘I want them to die.’”
Amanda never returned to that doctor’s office. But dark days would follow in the form of depression and loneliness, as many around her didn’t agree with her decision.
“Some people were really supportive and thought I was doing the right thing … while others, not so much,” she said. “They would say things like, ‘the kids would suffer’ … ‘I’m selfish if I keep the babies because of how short their life span is’ … ‘they’re just going to die anyway.’ ”
Wow. So much for a “woman’s choice”!
Amanda’s choice is to let her daughters be born, and yet Other People have the unmitigated gall to tell her that because her daughters might suffer, her purely selfless decision to allow them to be would actually be selfish.
Let no one doubt the all-corrupting power of abortion to turn the truth upside down.
Let Amanda Know You’re Praying for Her
The article also mentions that Amanda has been chronicling the experiences of her pregnancy at her blog, Faith & Hope & Love, where, in addition to attracting many edifying comments from well-wishers, she also finds herself “constantly deleting” comments from complete strangers who tell her to get an abortion.
The entire article is well worth a read.
Then, head over to Amanda’s blog and post an encouraging comment and let her know she’s in your prayers. Her blog also has a Donate button if you feel called to offer Amanda some financial support as well.
HT: JivinJ
