I am writing this to those who consider abortion a legitimate option. I was born of adversity. I had five birth defects at birth, all of which would, today, complicate the decision parents must make about their unborn child. I was born with a bone deficiency that did not let my bones fully develop. My diaphragm did not work properly because of this. I also do not have a bridge in my nose, which made it difficult for me to breathe on my own at birth. The bones in my hands and feet are unusually small for my body size.
The hospital where I was born in 1970 was not up to the task of taking care of such problems. The doctors told my parents to let me die, stating that I might be brain dead or incapable of taking care of myself later in life. My parents respected life and adamantly refused. They were not going to let me die; they would leave that decision in God’s hands.
I was taken to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, where I was kept in an incubator for eight days and given treatment to help strengthen my bones, before going home. I am now 44 years old with a college education and four children of my own, all beautiful and healthy.
All babies are beautiful in God’s eyes, and should not be denied the right to life. It has been well said, “The body inside your body is not your own body.” It is murder to abort a child, wanted or not, healthy or not.
Please say yes to Measure 1 and help to protect the lives of these little ones.
Bill Gregg, Grand Forks
