By Maria V. Gallagher, Legislative/PAC Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
It was a difficult, heart-breaking time for a gentleman I’ll call Jerry.
He had learned that the prognosis for his preborn son was dire, and that chances for his longevity were slim.
When his son was born, doctors predicted that he could die within two hours. It was a frightening diagnosis for the family.
That was way back in 1970, when the life expectancy for premature infants was not nearly as good as it is today. The baby had a number of disabilities, which made the odds of a positive outcome even lower.
But there was something within Jerry that dared to hope, that this baby would outlive projections.
He did. That baby is now 50 years old. What’s more, he now takes care of Jerry.
Jerry wanted me to share this story in an attempt to give other people hope. A poor prognosis does not have to be a death sentence. People can outlive dire predictions and go on to lead fulfilling lives. That’s true of Jerry’s son, and it’s true for many of us.
Jerry had called our office seeking pro-life information about the election. But he left us with a story that explains why we do what we do, why we fight for the lives of the most vulnerable among us. Because, like Jerry’s son, they deserve a chance at life, no matter how grim the prospects might be.
Today’s vulnerable babies could grow up to be our companions and caregivers. It’s a cycle of life we have no right to break.