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Assist@AssistCPC.org

I’ve been pregnant . . . and very, very scared.

I was five months pregnant with our second child. A routine sonogram revealed that our little boy had a crippling birth defect called Spina Bifida.

We were devastated. Our lives were suddenly changed forever.

We were encouraged to have an abortion. “This child would obviously be a burden. Don’t do this to yourselves!” I was told,. “Abortion, though not pleasant, is the way out of this tragic situation.”

The thought of aborting my own innocent baby horrified me! Yet, raising a handicapped child wasn’t what we had planned or wanted to do with our lives. It was frightening to have to make such a choice.

It was during this crisis that I had to know what I really believed about life and death and my relationship with God. We wanted to do what was best for all of us, but particularly for this child.

We prayed for hope and guidance. A wonderful counselor at the Assist Crisis Pregnancy Center reminded me that God is the Creator of Life. He is in control. He has a plan and a purpose in all things. I didn’t really have a choice. I had to totally trust God.

Our son, Luke was born that September. He does have significant paralysis in his legs. He has a tube inside his body that drains excess fluid off his brain. By his second birthday, he had had surgery eleven times. At best, he’ll never walk without heavy braces. And I struggle, not with our decision, but with the occasional reminder that my child has challenges that most children don’t.

Yet, although it hasn’t always been easy, this is a joyful time! We are living by faith and we’ve been blessed. Luke is a beautiful, delightful, playful and valued member of our family. He’s just like any little boy. He loves to giggle and play with cars and listen to me sing “Jesus Loves Me.” He wrestles around on the floor with his big brother, who just adores him. Luke zips around the house in his little wheelchair. He is a sweet and precious gift.

We’re thankful for the Assist Crisis Pregnancy Center. They helped us in our time of crisis. They have a vast network of resources. They put us in touch with others who are living with Spina Bifida -- great people with practical advice and encouragement.

It’s a privilege to share how God can bring such hope and joy through an unexpected challenge!