liveaction--2020-01-26--Is Canada pressuring hospice workers to participate in assisted suicide?

( National Review ) Should hospice professionals be forced to assist the suicides of their patients who want to die ?
Not too long ago , the answer to that question would have been an emphatic “ Of course not !
” Hospice is not about making people dead .
Rather , it seeks to help terminally ill patients live well through intensive medical , spiritual , psychological , and social treatments to alleviate the pain and emotional suffering that dying people and their families may experience Don ’ t tell that to the provincial government of British Columbia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a right for anyone diagnosed with a serious medical condition that causes “ irremediable suffering ” to receive lethal-injection euthanasia , British Columbia passed a law requiring all medical facilities that receive at least 50 percent of their funding from the government to participate in what north of the 46th parallel is known euphemistically as “ medical assistance in dying ” ( MAiD ) .
When Delta Hospice Society , in Delta , British Columbia , announced that it would adhere to the hospice movement ’ s founding philosophy by banning euthanasia in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister of health threatened to cut off all provincial funding .
Delta has until February 3 to yield to the euthanasia imperative or face a catastrophic financial crisis .
The power of the purse can be very persuasive , but Delta has not surrendered .
Instead , searching for a compromise , it has offered to cut from its annual budget , of $ 3 million ( Canadian dollars ) , $ 750,000 of the $ 1.4 million that it currently receives from the province .
That would reduce the portion of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a point below the 50 percent legal threshold , allowing Delta to continue serving dying patients while maintaining its philosophical integrity .
As of this writing , the authorities have not responded to Delta ’ s offer .
On the face of it , the government ’ s heavy-handedness makes no logical sense .
Everyone acknowledges that Delta provides a very valuable service to the community .
And it ’ s not as if the small hospice , with a mere ten beds , has the power to materially impede access to euthanasia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 5 million people .
Indeed , since euthanasia was legalized in 2016 , only three Delta patients have asked to be killed — and they were able to obtain their desired end by simply returning home or transferring to a hospital directly next door to the hospice .
So , what gives ?
Angeline Ireland , president of Delta , perceives a direct connection to socialism .
When I asked her in an email interview why she thought the government was trying to force the hospice ’ s participation , she replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” but “ primarily , I think it is ideological and agenda driven .
Our provincial government is currently run by socialists .
The Left has never valued human life .
In socialized medicine the state controls and is all powerful.
” She also believes there is a connection to the costs of health care .
“ I also wonder how much of it is driven by economics .
HPC [ hospice palliative care ] is far more expensive than euthanasia.
” Delta is a secular facility , so what are its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrators merely want the freedom to operate the facility according to the precepts of hospice moral philosophy .
“ HPC and Euthanasia are diametrically opposed , ” Ireland tells me .
“ Our health-care discipline has been practiced for 40 years in Canada and in that time has excelled in providing pain- and symptom-management to people .
A patient can be stabilized to live out their life the best way possible .
We have seen that people offered Hospice Palliative Care tend not to want euthanasia.
” I asked how Delta ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to cut its support of the hospice by $ 750,000 .
She told me that “ other programs , ” such as “ bereavement services ” for survivors and “ a layer of administration , ” would have to be cut until new sources of private or philanthropic funding could be found .
But she was adamant that dying patients would not be affected , as Delta will “ focus exclusively on our hospice.
” And if the government refuses Delta ’ s compromise and terminates all financial support ?
Ireland identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 20 years , we have subsidized the government healthcare system by raising $ 30 million and giving 750,000 voluntary labor hours directly into community healthcare , ” she notes .
But she remains adamant : “ We will not provide euthanasia .
If the government withdraws all its funding , we will try to operate on a privately funded downsized version .
We will look for other partners to help us carry on our work.
” Will Delta go to court in that circumstance ?
Yes .
“ We have not done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have not defaulted on our contract .
There is nothing in our contract which obliges us to perform euthanasia or have it provided on our premises.
” However , seeking justice is expensive .
“ We could be on the right side of the law and the right side of history , but it will take $ 400 an hour to hire a lawyer to seek our remedy .
Most not-for-profit organizations don ’ t have the luxury of standing up against Big Government , who have at their disposal seemingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all efforts at obtaining relief fail ?
While Ireland didn ’ t say it , one presumes that Delta would close the hospice rather than yield to the government ’ s orders to kill .
Notably , the minister of health seems fine with that prospect .
Of course , this controversy isn ’ t really about Delta .
British Columbia is sending a clarion message to all health-care providers : resistance to the euthanasia imperative is futile .
Ireland understands the stakes .
“ We believe the nation is looking at our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a profound impact on other hospices .
If the government can coerce us into killing our patients , they can force any hospice into doing it.
” READ : ‘ Make this patient go bye-bye ’ : Hospice nurses allegedly told to overdose patients to speed death The Delta coercion has ramifications far beyond the hospice sector .
Canada is in the process of expanding health categories that qualify for doctor-administered death .
Quebec just opened the door to allowing those with mental illness that is deemed “ incurable ” to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the verge of requiring that a person diagnosed with progressive dementia be able to sign a legally binding written directive that she be killed when she becomes incapacitated .
Also being seriously debated is the legalization of pediatric euthanasia , perhaps without parental permission in the case of “ mature children.
” Meanwhile , euthanasia and organ-harvesting have already been conjoined in the country — a utilitarian plum to society , celebrated and promoted in the media .
If Delta can be compelled to board the euthanasia train , so too can psychiatric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , memory-support facilities , and organ-transplant centers .
And it isn ’ t just medical facilities that are feeling the heat .
In Ontario , an ethics rule of the provincial medical association requires doctors to participate in euthanasia , by either doing the deed or finding a doctor who will .
A court of appeals has ruled that the requirement is binding , even if it violates a doctor ’ s religious beliefs .
If doctors don ’ t want to be complicit in euthanasia , the court sniffed , they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practices to such fields as podiatry , in which they won ’ t be asked to administer death .
What can the United States learn from all this ?
First , single-payer health care — socialized medicine — allows the government to control the medical profession with an iron fist and harness the sector into advancing controversial social policies .
Second , euthanasia is an aggressive social pathogen that brooks no dissent .
Once a society widely accepts the underlying premise that killing is an acceptable answer to suffering , access to euthanasia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must guarantee at the expense of the freedom of conscience of medical practitioners .
Finally , access to euthanasia comes to matter more than the ability to assure quality treatment , with the authorities willing to accept a brain drain from the health-care sector rather than allow conscientious objection .
Canada is our closest cultural cousin : We had better be careful , or the same thing could happen here .
If we don ’ t want that , we should reject assisted suicide and focus our national energies on caring instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author and a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute ’ s Center on Human Exceptionalism .
Editor ’ s Note : This article was published at National Review and is reprinted here with permission .
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(National Review) Should hospice professionals be forced to assist the suicides of their patients who want to die? Not too long ago, the answer to that question would have been an emphatic “Of course not!” Hospice is not about making people dead. Rather, it seeks to help terminally ill patients live well through intensive medical, spiritual, psychological, and social treatments to alleviate the pain and emotional suffering that dying people and their families may experience
Don’t tell that to the provincial government of British Columbia. After the Supreme Court of Canada conjured a right for anyone diagnosed with a serious medical condition that causes “irremediable suffering” to receive lethal-injection euthanasia, British Columbia passed a law requiring all medical facilities that receive at least 50 percent of their funding from the government to participate in what north of the 46th parallel is known euphemistically as “medical assistance in dying” (MAiD). When Delta Hospice Society, in Delta, British Columbia, announced that it would adhere to the hospice movement’s founding philosophy by banning euthanasia in its facility, the province’s minister of health threatened to cut off all provincial funding. Delta has until February 3 to yield to the euthanasia imperative or face a catastrophic financial crisis.
The power of the purse can be very persuasive, but Delta has not surrendered. Instead, searching for a compromise, it has offered to cut from its annual budget, of $3 million (Canadian dollars), $750,000 of the $1.4 million that it currently receives from the province. That would reduce the portion of its budget that comes from public funding to a point below the 50 percent legal threshold, allowing Delta to continue serving dying patients while maintaining its philosophical integrity. As of this writing, the authorities have not responded to Delta’s offer.
On the face of it, the government’s heavy-handedness makes no logical sense. Everyone acknowledges that Delta provides a very valuable service to the community. And it’s not as if the small hospice, with a mere ten beds, has the power to materially impede access to euthanasia in British Columbia, a province of nearly 5 million people. Indeed, since euthanasia was legalized in 2016, only three Delta patients have asked to be killed — and they were able to obtain their desired end by simply returning home or transferring to a hospital directly next door to the hospice. So, what gives?
READ: Hospice and palliative care give patients real care, not death
Angeline Ireland, president of Delta, perceives a direct connection to socialism. When I asked her in an email interview why she thought the government was trying to force the hospice’s participation, she replied, “I would only be speculating,” but “primarily, I think it is ideological and agenda driven. Our provincial government is currently run by socialists. The Left has never valued human life. In socialized medicine the state controls and is all powerful.” She also believes there is a connection to the costs of health care. “I also wonder how much of it is driven by economics. HPC [hospice palliative care] is far more expensive than euthanasia.”
Delta is a secular facility, so what are its bases for refusing to kill? The administrators merely want the freedom to operate the facility according to the precepts of hospice moral philosophy. “HPC and Euthanasia are diametrically opposed,” Ireland tells me. “Our health-care discipline has been practiced for 40 years in Canada and in that time has excelled in providing pain- and symptom-management to people. A patient can be stabilized to live out their life the best way possible. We have seen that people offered Hospice Palliative Care tend not to want euthanasia.”
I asked how Delta’s patients would be affected if the province agreed to cut its support of the hospice by $750,000. She told me that “other programs,” such as “bereavement services” for survivors and “a layer of administration,” would have to be cut until new sources of private or philanthropic funding could be found. But she was adamant that dying patients would not be affected, as Delta will “focus exclusively on our hospice.”
And if the government refuses Delta’s compromise and terminates all financial support? Ireland identified a bitter irony. “Over the last 20 years, we have subsidized the government healthcare system by raising $30 million and giving 750,000 voluntary labor hours directly into community healthcare,” she notes. But she remains adamant: “We will not provide euthanasia. If the government withdraws all its funding, we will try to operate on a privately funded downsized version. We will look for other partners to help us carry on our work.”
Will Delta go to court in that circumstance? Yes. “We have not done anything wrong,” Ireland says. “We have not defaulted on our contract. There is nothing in our contract which obliges us to perform euthanasia or have it provided on our premises.” However, seeking justice is expensive. “We could be on the right side of the law and the right side of history, but it will take $400 an hour to hire a lawyer to seek our remedy. Most not-for-profit organizations don’t have the luxury of standing up against Big Government, who have at their disposal seemingly unlimited legal resources.”
And what if all efforts at obtaining relief fail? While Ireland didn’t say it, one presumes that Delta would close the hospice rather than yield to the government’s orders to kill. Notably, the minister of health seems fine with that prospect.
Of course, this controversy isn’t really about Delta. British Columbia is sending a clarion message to all health-care providers: resistance to the euthanasia imperative is futile. Ireland understands the stakes. “We believe the nation is looking at our situation and [that it] will have a profound impact on other hospices. If the government can coerce us into killing our patients, they can force any hospice into doing it.”
READ: ‘Make this patient go bye-bye’: Hospice nurses allegedly told to overdose patients to speed death
The Delta coercion has ramifications far beyond the hospice sector. Canada is in the process of expanding health categories that qualify for doctor-administered death. Quebec just opened the door to allowing those with mental illness that is deemed “incurable” to receive euthanasia. The country also seems on the verge of requiring that a person diagnosed with progressive dementia be able to sign a legally binding written directive that she be killed when she becomes incapacitated. Also being seriously debated is the legalization of pediatric euthanasia, perhaps without parental permission in the case of “mature children.” Meanwhile, euthanasia and organ-harvesting have already been conjoined in the country — a utilitarian plum to society, celebrated and promoted in the media. If Delta can be compelled to board the euthanasia train, so too can psychiatric institutions, pediatric hospitals, nursing homes, memory-support facilities, and organ-transplant centers.
And it isn’t just medical facilities that are feeling the heat. In Ontario, an ethics rule of the provincial medical association requires doctors to participate in euthanasia, by either doing the deed or finding a doctor who will. A court of appeals has ruled that the requirement is binding, even if it violates a doctor’s religious beliefs. If doctors don’t want to be complicit in euthanasia, the court sniffed, they should either find another career or restrict their practices to such fields as podiatry, in which they won’t be asked to administer death.
What can the United States learn from all this? First, single-payer health care — socialized medicine — allows the government to control the medical profession with an iron fist and harness the sector into advancing controversial social policies. Second, euthanasia is an aggressive social pathogen that brooks no dissent. Once a society widely accepts the underlying premise that killing is an acceptable answer to suffering, access to euthanasia eventually becomes a right that the government must guarantee at the expense of the freedom of conscience of medical practitioners. Finally, access to euthanasia comes to matter more than the ability to assure quality treatment, with the authorities willing to accept a brain drain from the health-care sector rather than allow conscientious objection.
Canada is our closest cultural cousin: We had better be careful, or the same thing could happen here. If we don’t want that, we should reject assisted suicide and focus our national energies on caring instead of killing.
Wesley J. Smith is an author and a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism.
Editor’s Note: This article was published at National Review and is reprinted here with permission.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-01-27--Democrats for Life prez to Mayor Pete Buttigieg: Is there room for pro-life Democrats?

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg held a Fox News town hall on Sunday , and one exchange in particular has set social media on fire .
Kristen Day , executive director of Democrats for Life of America , asked Buttigieg if he wanted the support of pro-life Democrats , and also if he would be willing to include more moderate language in his platform in an effort to be inclusive of pro-life Democrats .
“ I ’ m a proud pro-life Democrat .
So , do you want the support of pro-life Democrats ?
” Day asked Buttigieg .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more moderate platform language in the Democratic Party to ensure the party of diversity and inclusion really does include everybody ?
” Buttigieg responded : I ’ m not going to try to earn your vote by tricking you .
I am pro-choice , and I believe that a woman ought to be able to make that decision .
But I know that the difference of opinion that you and I have is one that we have come by honestly .
And the best that I can offer — and it may win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I understand .
The best that I can offer is that , if we can ’ t agree on where to draw the line , the next best thing we can do is agree on who should draw the line .
And in my view , it ’ s the woman who is faced with that decision in her own life .
Day spoke to Live Action News about her exchange with Buttigieg : I was really disappointed to see , instead of answering the question , he was just doubling down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t ask him where he stood on abortion .
That wasn ’ t my question .
I think he just heard ‘ abortion , ’ and he just had to say he ’ s pro-choice , and double down on , ‘ I ’ m not going to change , so deal with it.
’ And the question I asked him was , do you want the support of pro-life Democrats ?
And I guess the answer is no , because he didn ’ t say yes .
The second question was , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform for years ; would you consider putting that back in to make space for pro-life Democrats ?
And he didn ’ t answer that either , even though I asked him twice .
Day added , “ I think he ’ s afraid of the abortion lobby , and people hitting back.
” Unsurprisingly , Day has been taking some heat on Twitter , with abortion supporters agreeing that there is no place for pro-lifers in the Democratic party , or making accusations against her .
But she says what many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from even pro-choice town hall attendees to her interaction with Buttigieg .
READ : Democrats for Life hosts first annual conference… in the face of opposition Day told Live Action News , “ When we went to commercial break after my question , the man in front of me turned around and said , ‘ Did you ask that question ?
’ and I said , ‘ Oh yeah , that was me.
’ And he said , ‘ That was a really good question , ’ and everyone in his row turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were disappointed by Mayor Pete ’ s answer , ” she recalled .
“ The party should be inclusive .
Other people came up and said they were pro-choice , and didn ’ t like Mayor Pete ’ s answer , either.
” Day is right that the Democratic Party used to be more inclusive — for example , the 2018 Missouri Democratic Party platform was originally drafted to allow for differing views on abortion , with the intent of being welcoming to pro-lifers ; however , that was changed , effectively requiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Planned Parenthood complained .
Nationwide , the Democratic National Party chairman , Tom Perez , stated in 2017 that every Democrat must support abortion .
Notable Democrats have warned against the party becoming too extreme on abortion .
It wasn ’ t always this way .
There are a significant number of pro-life Democrats , and yet , like Day , they have felt increasingly ostracized by their own party .
“ Some people are calling it an ambush , ” Day acknowledged of the town hall .
“ But we have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ] campaign since early December , because his campaign director worked for Joe Donnelly [ a pro-life Democrat ] .
We thought he might be the one who would understand the importance of the pro-life vote , and inclusion of pro-life Democrats .
We were hopeful that he would be the one that would say pro-life Democrats are welcome.
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For example , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
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Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg held a Fox News town hall on Sunday, and one exchange in particular has set social media on fire. Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life of America, asked Buttigieg if he wanted the support of pro-life Democrats, and also if he would be willing to include more moderate language in his platform in an effort to be inclusive of pro-life Democrats.
“I’m a proud pro-life Democrat. So, do you want the support of pro-life Democrats?” Day asked Buttigieg. “And if so, would you support more moderate platform language in the Democratic Party to ensure the party of diversity and inclusion really does include everybody?” Buttigieg responded:
I’m not going to try to earn your vote by tricking you. I am pro-choice, and I believe that a woman ought to be able to make that decision. But I know that the difference of opinion that you and I have is one that we have come by honestly. And the best that I can offer — and it may win your vote, and if not, I understand.
The best that I can offer is that, if we can’t agree on where to draw the line, the next best thing we can do is agree on who should draw the line. And in my view, it’s the woman who is faced with that decision in her own life.
READ: Pro-life Democrats speak out against party’s pro-abortion stance

Day spoke to Live Action News about her exchange with Buttigieg:
I was really disappointed to see, instead of answering the question, he was just doubling down on his abortion position. I didn’t ask him where he stood on abortion. That wasn’t my question. I think he just heard ‘abortion,’ and he just had to say he’s pro-choice, and double down on, ‘I’m not going to change, so deal with it.’ And the question I asked him was, do you want the support of pro-life Democrats? And I guess the answer is no, because he didn’t say yes.
The second question was, we had reasonable language in the party platform for years; would you consider putting that back in to make space for pro-life Democrats? And he didn’t answer that either, even though I asked him twice.
Day added, “I think he’s afraid of the abortion lobby, and people hitting back.”
Unsurprisingly, Day has been taking some heat on Twitter, with abortion supporters agreeing that there is no place for pro-lifers in the Democratic party, or making accusations against her. But she says what many people didn’t see was the reaction from even pro-choice town hall attendees to her interaction with Buttigieg.
That woman was me!!!!! https://t.co/y4bgOJc6Vp — Kristen Day (@ProLifeDem) January 27, 2020
READ: Democrats for Life hosts first annual conference… in the face of opposition
Day told Live Action News, “When we went to commercial break after my question, the man in front of me turned around and said, ‘Did you ask that question?’ and I said, ‘Oh yeah, that was me.’ And he said, ‘That was a really good question,’ and everyone in his row turned around and agreed, and said they were disappointed by Mayor Pete’s answer,” she recalled. “The party should be inclusive. Other people came up and said they were pro-choice, and didn’t like Mayor Pete’s answer, either.”
Day is right that the Democratic Party used to be more inclusive — for example, the 2018 Missouri Democratic Party platform was originally drafted to allow for differing views on abortion, with the intent of being welcoming to pro-lifers; however, that was changed, effectively requiring members to support abortion after NARAL and Planned Parenthood complained. Nationwide, the Democratic National Party chairman, Tom Perez, stated in 2017 that every Democrat must support abortion. Notable Democrats have warned against the party becoming too extreme on abortion. It wasn’t always this way.
There are significant numbers of pro-life Democrats, and yet, like Day, they have felt increasingly ostracized by their own party. “Some people are calling it an ambush,” Day acknowledged of the town hall. “But we have been trying to reach out to [Buttigieg’s] campaign since early December, because his campaign director worked for Joe Donnelly [a pro-life Democrat]. We thought he might be the one who would understand the importance of the pro-life vote, and inclusion of pro-life Democrats. We were hopeful that he would be the one that would say pro-life Democrats are welcome.”
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-01-27--The doctors told us to get rid of ‘it’ and try again. We refused, and regret nothing.

My son Samuel reminds me every day that all human life matters , inside the womb and out , perfect little hands and feet with ten fingers and ten toes or not .
He ’ s a reminder that our diagnosis does not define us or determine our value .
My husband , Gabriel , and I were married in 2010 and joyfully became pregnant in 2011 .
Our joy was short lived when we miscarried at 9 weeks .
Seeking answers after the loss , we sought out a fertility specialist .
Through testing and a laparoscopic hysteroscopy procedure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that made pregnancy and carrying to term a difficult dream .
But we remained hopeful that we would be blessed with a child .
Like many women desperate to carry a child , I began to pray daily .
We chose the name Samuel for the child we longed to have .
In 2012 , Gabriel and I were overjoyed to find out I was pregnant again .
At 24 weeks , I was sent to the perinatologist to have a level 2 ultrasound .
Like all expectant parents , Gabriel and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ultrasound , anxious to see our precious baby ’ s heart , head , hands , and feet , and to learn his or her sex .
Upon our request , the ultrasound technician wrote the gender of our baby on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope for a surprise gender reveal with family and friends .
Once the ultrasound was complete , the technician quietly left the room and a few minutes later the doctor entered .
Without a word or a hint of emotion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When she was finished , she turned to my husband and said with a cold smile , “ Well , your child has a severe brain malformation called holoprosencephaly.
” Without missing a beat , she began to discuss our abortion options , not once giving even a glimmer of hope or any idea of what our options would be should we choose life .
She coldly told us we could “ just get rid of IT and try again.
” I broke into tears , fully understanding at that moment what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really going through this ?
Was I going to lose another child I already loved so much ?
Feelings of guilt , shame and self doubt washed over me in that quiet moment in the ultrasound room .
I was left wondering if I were somehow to blame and feeling that my body had failed .
Yet , my husband stood firm .
Gabriel looked in my eyes and said , “ We are stronger than this .
God will take care of our baby.
” His faith and words gave me comfort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I left the appointment with the gender reveal envelope in my hand and uneasiness in my heart .
My dreams of a “ perfect child ” were not to be .
I was left with the fear that I might not get to see my child alive at birth and with fears about what his life would be if he lived .
Gabriel and I decided to open the envelope in the car before heading home .
The unfolded piece of paper said “ boy.
” Peace overcame us as we thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : When doctors said their baby girl would die at birth , these parents chose life Medical professionals had told us our son would not make it to birth .
Medical professionals had said our son should be aborted .
Medical professionals had said the condition was “ incompatible with life.
” God said , “ I will be with you all the days of your life.
” On May 30 , 2013 , Samuel was born .
The sweetest little piece of heaven was finally in our arms and the journey of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is often accompanied by other medical conditions , the first few weeks of Samuel ’ s life included many lab tests and imaging .
It was determined that he did not have any of the common fatal chromosomal abnormalities such as Trisomy 13 or 18 , nor did he have any other major organ defects that often come with holoprosencephaly .
Samuel ’ s diagnosis , holoprosencephaly , is where the two hemispheres of the brain do not completely separate .
Samuel ’ s diagnosis means that he won ’ t ever walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means he needs a wheelchair and that he will continue to have medical struggles and hospitalizations .
Samuel ’ s diagnosis means that he is completely dependent upon his daddy and me .
Yet , the value of Samuel ’ s life is not defined by his diagnosis .
His imperfections , vulnerability and weaknesses do not determine his value .
In fact , they make him more precious and worthy of protection from a society that deems his life as disposable .
Samuel is now six years old and in his short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy , and has a life with great purpose .
He has endured many physical struggles yet is an overcomer who never gives up .
He is a reminder to persevere .
He gives hope and encouragement to mothers who hear medical professionals define their children ’ s value by their diagnoses .
Samuel ’ s life journey has brought me into the pro-life movement where I have traveled with an amazing team to college campuses and to the sidewalks of Planned Parenthood to give women in crisis pregnancies hope , encouragement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosis isn ’ t perfect , but he is .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !

My son Samuel reminds me every day that all human life matters, inside the womb and out, perfect little hands and feet with ten fingers and ten toes or not. He’s a reminder that our diagnosis does not define us or determine our value.
My husband, Gabriel, and I were married in 2010 and joyfully became pregnant in 2011. Our joy was short lived when we miscarried at 9 weeks. Seeking answers after the loss, we sought out a fertility specialist. Through testing and a laparoscopic hysteroscopy procedure, the doctors discovered three medical issues that made pregnancy and carrying to term a difficult dream. But we remained hopeful that we would be blessed with a child.
Like many women desperate to carry a child, I began to pray daily. We chose the name Samuel for the child we longed to have.
In 2012, Gabriel and I were overjoyed to find out I was pregnant again. At 24 weeks, I was sent to the perinatologist to have a level 2 ultrasound. Like all expectant parents, Gabriel and I were super excited to see our baby on the ultrasound, anxious to see our precious baby’s heart, head, hands, and feet, and to learn his or her sex. Upon our request, the ultrasound technician wrote the gender of our baby on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope for a surprise gender reveal with family and friends.
READ: AMAZING: Parents choose life for baby with rare brain malformation
Once the ultrasound was complete, the technician quietly left the room and a few minutes later the doctor entered. Without a word or a hint of emotion, she proceeded to do another ultrasound. When she was finished, she turned to my husband and said with a cold smile, “Well, your child has a severe brain malformation called holoprosencephaly.” Without missing a beat, she began to discuss our abortion options, not once giving even a glimmer of hope or any idea of what our options would be should we choose life.
She coldly told us we could “just get rid of IT and try again.”
I broke into tears, fully understanding at that moment what it meant to be brokenhearted. Was I really going through this? Was I going to lose another child I already loved so much? Feelings of guilt, shame and self doubt washed over me in that quiet moment in the ultrasound room. I was left wondering if I were somehow to blame and feeling that my body had failed. Yet, my husband stood firm. Gabriel looked in my eyes and said, “We are stronger than this. God will take care of our baby.” His faith and words gave me comfort and peace that everything would be alright.
I left the appointment with the gender reveal envelope in my hand and uneasiness in my heart. My dreams of a “perfect child” were not to be. I was left with the fear that I might not get to see my child alive at birth and with fears about what his life would be if he lived. Gabriel and I decided to open the envelope in the car before heading home. The unfolded piece of paper said “boy.” Peace overcame us as we thought about our son, Samuel.
READ: When doctors said their baby girl would die at birth, these parents chose life
Medical professionals had told us our son would not make it to birth. Medical professionals had said our son should be aborted. Medical professionals had said the condition was “incompatible with life.”
God said, “I will be with you all the days of your life.”
On May 30, 2013, Samuel was born. The sweetest little piece of heaven was finally in our arms and the journey of life with holoprosencephaly began. Since holoprosencephaly is often accompanied by other medical conditions, the first few weeks of Samuel’s life included many lab tests and imaging. It was determined that he did not have any of the common fatal chromosomal abnormalities such as Trisomy 13 or 18, nor did he have any other major organ defects that often come with holoprosencephaly.
Samuel’s diagnosis, holoprosencephaly, is where the two hemispheres of the brain do not completely separate. Samuel’s diagnosis means that he won’t ever walk or talk. Samuel’s diagnosis means he needs a wheelchair and that he will continue to have medical struggles and hospitalizations. Samuel’s diagnosis means that he is completely dependent upon his daddy and me. Yet, the value of Samuel’s life is not defined by his diagnosis. His imperfections, vulnerability and weaknesses do not determine his value. In fact, they make him more precious and worthy of protection from a society that deems his life as disposable.
Samuel is now six years old and in his short time here so far, he is happy, and has a life with great purpose. He has endured many physical struggles yet is an overcomer who never gives up. He is a reminder to persevere. He gives hope and encouragement to mothers who hear medical professionals define their children’s value by their diagnoses.
Samuel’s life journey has brought me into the pro-life movement where I have traveled with an amazing team to college campuses and to the sidewalks of Planned Parenthood to give women in crisis pregnancies hope, encouragement, and life-affirming options.
Samuel’s diagnosis isn’t perfect, but he is.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-01-27--Mother starts bakeshop to showcase capabilities of daughter with Down syndrome

Mary Iusso of Brampton , Ontario , knows that her daughter , Christina , is capable of having an extraordinary life .
Sadly , because Christina was born with Down syndrome , people around Iusso suggested that her daughter would never amount to anything — a lie that many parents of children with Down syndrome hear .
Iusso told Global News , “ When Cristina was born , I was told , ‘ have no expectations of your daughter .
Don ’ t expect her to be a doctor or a lawyer , ’ and Cristina was less than 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you got to be kidding me .
Why doesn ’ t the world expect anything of her ?
’ ” Despite the outdated prejudice her daughter faced , Iusso was determined to provide ample opportunity for Christina to develop her talents and flourish in the world .
To that end , Iusso opened a unique bake shop in Brampton : Christina ’ s Tortina Shop , offering from scratch cupcakes and desserts with a special focus on showcasing the abilities of people with disabilities .
She told the news , “ Cristina inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ I knew then I had to do something where people come into the shop , have their own experiences and in the same breath I get to teach them and talk to them about Down syndrome.
” Seven years after the shop opened , Christina is now 10 and works alongside her mother after school and on weekends in the cupcake shop that bears her name .
Iusso said , “ I have three staff — two have Down syndrome , one is on the spectrum , and everybody has an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do.
” READ : Irish rocker profoundly changed by son with Down syndrome : ‘ Your child is unique and amazing ’ For Iusso , each cupcake her shop makes and each customer who has a positive experience in the accepting environment she has created is an opportunity to make the world a better place for her daughter .
“ Anybody with Down syndrome has hopes and dreams and we need to ask them what they want to do and what do they want to aspire to be , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a baker in a cupcake shop , great.
” Thankfully , many family , friends , and advocates are supporting people with Down syndrome in running their own businesses , pursuing education , getting married , and living the unique and full lives that they are fully capable of living .
While deadly discrimination still exists for babies with Down syndrome , some people are realizing the injustice and speaking out .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE @ @ @ @ @

Mary Iusso of Brampton, Ontario, knows that her daughter, Christina, is capable of having an extraordinary life. Sadly, because Christina was born with Down syndrome, people around Iusso suggested that her daughter would never amount to anything — a lie that many parents of children with Down syndrome hear.
Iusso told Global News, “When Cristina was born, I was told, ‘have no expectations of your daughter. Don’t expect her to be a doctor or a lawyer,’ and Cristina was less than 24 hours old. I thought, ‘you got to be kidding me. Why doesn’t the world expect anything of her?’”
Despite the outdated prejudice her daughter faced, Iusso was determined to provide ample opportunity for Christina to develop her talents and flourish in the world. To that end, Iusso opened a unique bake shop in Brampton: Christina’s Tortina Shop, offering from scratch cupcakes and desserts with a special focus on showcasing the abilities of people with disabilities.

She told the news, “Cristina inspired us to do this,” adding, “I knew then I had to do something where people come into the shop, have their own experiences and in the same breath I get to teach them and talk to them about Down syndrome.”
Seven years after the shop opened, Christina is now 10 and works alongside her mother after school and on weekends in the cupcake shop that bears her name. Iusso said, “I have three staff — two have Down syndrome, one is on the spectrum, and everybody has an important job and everybody loves what they do.”

READ: Irish rocker profoundly changed by son with Down syndrome: ‘Your child is unique and amazing’
For Iusso, each cupcake her shop makes and each customer who has a positive experience in the accepting environment she has created is an opportunity to make the world a better place for her daughter. “Anybody with Down syndrome has hopes and dreams and we need to ask them what they want to do and what do they want to aspire to be,” she said. “And if it happens to be a baker in a cupcake shop, great.”
Thankfully, many family, friends, and advocates are supporting people with Down syndrome in running their own businesses, pursuing education, getting married, and living the unique and full lives that they are fully capable of living. While deadly discrimination still exists for babies with Down syndrome, some people are realizing the injustice and speaking out.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-01-27--Why do people go to work for Planned Parenthood? A former employee shares her story

Licensed clinical social worker Linda Couri formerly worked at the Planned Parenthood in Champaign , Illinois .
She experienced a change of heart on the abortion issue , and now travels the country speaking about her experiences inside Planned Parenthood and what ultimately led her to leave the company and then to become pro-life .
Linda recently told her powerful story on a podcast from weDignify , an Illinois-based organization that seeks to build a culture of life on college campuses .
She was motivated by “ compassion and a deep sense of justice ” Linda first encountered Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found herself “ very sympathetic to a lot of the things that Planned Parenthood was doing for the culture , for society , ” such as their student sex-ed programs .
She personally had a positive experience when she was uninsured and visited a PP for her first gynecologic exam .
She says “ compassion and a deep sense of justice ” led her to later choose to work there .
She also believed at the time that women needed access to abortion , believing it was sometimes a necessary option for pregnant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her own unplanned pregnancy at 24 .
While she personally believed abortion was the killing of a human person , she also felt overwhelming anxiety and other psychosomatic symptoms when she thought of how having the baby would change her life , how she did not want to be with the baby ’ s father forever , etc .
The idea of having an abortion filled her with so much relief as a potential resolution to all of her problems , and she ultimately chose to have an abortion .
She says she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ tucked away ” any sort of qualms about the abortion in her heart .
She once considered abortion as the ‘ best option ’ for every woman After her abortion , Linda became a Planned Parenthood volunteer for several years , and eventually took a paycut to work there for one year .
She was a sexual educator , speaking primarily to high school teens , but she also occasionally counseled abortion-minded patients .
She noted that Planned Parenthood had a prenatal clinic at the time she worked there , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community to facilitate adoption .
But , she recalls , she earnestly believed that abortion was the best option for each woman she counseled .
One particular patient asked her point-blank , “ If I have an abortion , will I be killing my baby ?
” Linda responded , “ You will be terminating the product of your conception.
” Afterwards , emotionally distressed , she told her manager she had “ just lied ” to the young woman .
Linda also recalled how a compassionate nurse approached her after an abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen a tiny baby hand .
Both of these experiences highlighted a kind of cognitive dissonance , but she and her coworkers ultimately accepted abortion as a necessary evil and encouraged each other to soldier on .
READ : Planned Parenthood claims abortion is now 4 % of its services instead of 3 % .
It ’ s still false .
She had repercussions from her own abortion… 11 years later Linda ’ s decision to leave Planned Parenthood happened gradually .
One unsettling experience started the wheels turning in her head , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a doctoral program some journals written by women immediately after their abortions .
She felt genuine confusion when she read accounts of sheer panic in some of the journals as the women realized that they had just taken a life .
She also feared that these same women had been released out into the public by the facility without resources to process their experiences .
Another part of her journey was coming to “ visit the God/religious question ” for the first time in a long time .
She had been raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ultimately , she read her way back to faith , and left Planned Parenthood when she realized she was not helping women by promoting abortion as their best option .
It took 11 years for Linda to “ confront ” herself about her abortion , to cut through the tangle of denial and justification .
On that day , she was in her mom ’ s kitchen and suddenly realized what she had done , and had a panic attack .
“ It ’ s rather psychologically unbearable to just all of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed my baby.
’ You can ’ t deal with that .
How can you deal with that ?
” Fortunately , she was able to reach out to several resources to begin the healing process .
She hopes pro-lifers will listen more to the ‘ other side ’ and engage them in conversation One thing that kept Linda from being pro-life for a long time was her belief that pro-life people were “ out of touch.
” She felt uninterested in listening to what pro-lifers were saying because they seemed to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-issue-minded ” universe that was neither integrated nor able to take in the complexity of what a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy would be dealing with .
Linda stressed that pregnancy is always life-changing , and especially so in the case of an unplanned pregnancy .
She believes asking a woman to carry her baby to term is a massive thing , and downplaying that reality does a disservice to the pro-life cause .
Pro-life compassion must — as most pro-lifers realize — extend beyond birth , she says , to assist the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by coming alongside her and her child ( ren ) .
Linda also emphasized the importance of building relationships and engaging in dialogue with those with whom we disagree .
She encouraged pro-lifers to engage with the good intentions behind statements like , “ I could never have an abortion , but I wouldn ’ t tell someone else what to do with their own body ” by probing further into why they wouldn ’ t have an abortion personally .
By acknowledging pro-choicers as humans and not “ the enemy , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both mothers and their preborn children .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !

Licensed clinical social worker Linda Couri formerly worked at the Planned Parenthood in Champaign, Illinois. She experienced a change of heart on the abortion issue, and now travels the country speaking about her experiences inside Planned Parenthood and what ultimately led her to leave the company and then to become pro-life. Linda recently told her powerful story on a podcast from weDignify, an Illinois-based organization that seeks to build a culture of life on college campuses.
She was motivated by “compassion and a deep sense of justice”
Linda first encountered Planned Parenthood when she went away to college and found herself “very sympathetic to a lot of the things that Planned Parenthood was doing for the culture, for society,” such as their student sex-ed programs. She personally had a positive experience when she was uninsured and visited a PP for her first gynecologic exam. She says “compassion and a deep sense of justice” led her to later choose to work there. She also believed at the time that women needed access to abortion, believing it was sometimes a necessary option for pregnant women in difficult situations.
Linda experienced her own unplanned pregnancy at 24. While she personally believed abortion was the killing of a human person, she also felt overwhelming anxiety and other psychosomatic symptoms when she thought of how having the baby would change her life, how she did not want to be with the baby’s father forever, etc. The idea of having an abortion filled her with so much relief as a potential resolution to all of her problems, and she ultimately chose to have an abortion. She says she felt very little emotional response afterward, and “tucked away” any sort of qualms about the abortion in her heart.
She once considered abortion as the ‘best option’ for every woman
After her abortion, Linda became a Planned Parenthood volunteer for several years, and eventually took a paycut to work there for one year. She was a sexual educator, speaking primarily to high school teens, but she also occasionally counseled abortion-minded patients. She noted that Planned Parenthood had a prenatal clinic at the time she worked there, and that they also had connections in the community to facilitate adoption. But, she recalls, she earnestly believed that abortion was the best option for each woman she counseled.
One particular patient asked her point-blank, “If I have an abortion, will I be killing my baby?” Linda responded, “You will be terminating the product of your conception.” Afterwards, emotionally distressed, she told her manager she had “just lied” to the young woman. Linda also recalled how a compassionate nurse approached her after an abortion procedure, upset because she had just seen a tiny baby hand. Both of these experiences highlighted a kind of cognitive dissonance, but she and her coworkers ultimately accepted abortion as a necessary evil and encouraged each other to soldier on.
READ: Planned Parenthood claims abortion is now 4% of its services instead of 3%. It’s still false.

She had repercussions from her own abortion… 11 years later
Linda’s decision to leave Planned Parenthood happened gradually. One unsettling experience started the wheels turning in her head, as she reviewed as part of research for a doctoral program some journals written by women immediately after their abortions. She felt genuine confusion when she read accounts of sheer panic in some of the journals as the women realized that they had just taken a life. She also feared that these same women had been released out into the public by the facility without resources to process their experiences. Another part of her journey was coming to “visit the God/religious question” for the first time in a long time. She had been raised Catholic and drifted away over time. Ultimately, she read her way back to faith, and left Planned Parenthood when she realized she was not helping women by promoting abortion as their best option.
It took 11 years for Linda to “confront” herself about her abortion, to cut through the tangle of denial and justification. On that day, she was in her mom’s kitchen and suddenly realized what she had done, and had a panic attack. “It’s rather psychologically unbearable to just all of a sudden admit to yourself, ‘I killed my baby.’ You can’t deal with that. How can you deal with that?” Fortunately, she was able to reach out to several resources to begin the healing process.

She hopes pro-lifers will listen more to the ‘other side’ and engage them in conversation
One thing that kept Linda from being pro-life for a long time was her belief that pro-life people were “out of touch.” She felt uninterested in listening to what pro-lifers were saying because they seemed to live in an “unilateral” and “one-issue-minded” universe that was neither integrated nor able to take in the complexity of what a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy would be dealing with. Linda stressed that pregnancy is always life-changing, and especially so in the case of an unplanned pregnancy. She believes asking a woman to carry her baby to term is a massive thing, and downplaying that reality does a disservice to the pro-life cause. Pro-life compassion must — as most pro-lifers realize — extend beyond birth, she says, to assist the mother as the child is growing up by coming alongside her and her child(ren).
Linda also emphasized the importance of building relationships and engaging in dialogue with those with whom we disagree. She encouraged pro-lifers to engage with the good intentions behind statements like, “I could never have an abortion, but I wouldn’t tell someone else what to do with their own body” by probing further into why they wouldn’t have an abortion personally.
By acknowledging pro-choicers as humans and not “the enemy,” we can achieve the best outcomes for both mothers and their preborn children.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-01-27--Months after student raised funds to install Indiana baby box, it saved a baby girl’s life

A newborn girl was saved after she was safely surrendered in a Safe Haven baby box in Seymour , Indiana , on Thursday .
The girl ’ s rescue , the first at this location , comes less than a year after the box was installed .
The surrender was the fifth time that a baby has been placed into a baby box in Indiana in the last two years .
The rescue happened at 1:30 pm at Seymour Fire Station 3 .
According to Fire Chief Brad Lucas , an alarm sounded as soon as the mother opened the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than 60 seconds later .
She was transported to a local hospital .
“ The system worked perfectly , ” Lucas said .
“ We had firefighters in the building , and the ambulance was on scene within minutes .
The baby was transferred to the hospital and is doing great .
We are proud to have this resource available for the residents of Seymour .
We strive every day to ensure the safety of our residents , and this is just a way to ensure the safety of newborns.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indiana ’ s Safe Haven laws , which state that a newborn less than 30 days old can be surrendered to an emergency care facility , police station , fire station , or hospital , with no questions asked .
Baby boxes are specially designed to make this surrender easy for parents , offering safe , climate-controlled places where parents can leave their children anonymously .
As soon as a child is placed in the box , an alarm sounds and emergency personnel are immediately alerted to the baby ’ s presence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June 2019 , thanks to the efforts of high school senior Hunter Wart , 19 , who raised $ 10,000 for the box ’ s installation .
According to CNN , Wart “ spent more than a year mowing lawns and scrapping metal to raise the $ 10,000 needed to purchase a Safe Haven Baby Box for the Seymour Fire Department… as part of his senior project.
” The Seymour box is just one of 20 boxes throughout the state placed by the non-profit organization Safe Haven Baby Boxes , started by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abandoned as an infant .
“ This baby is healthy , perfect , and doing very well , ” Kelsey said in a news conference Friday morning .
“ She appeared to be not more than a couple hours old.
” According to Kelsey , the baby is now in the custody of the Indiana Department of Child Services and she ’ ll be placed with an adoptive family sometime in the next 45 days .
“ I want to personally thank the mom or dad who chose to surrender their newborn in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ All too often we hear stories of babies left in trash cans and dumpsters , and this parent loved their child enough to place this child safely , legally , in a Safe Haven baby box.
” The Safe Haven Baby Box organization also has a national hotline for women in crisis .
To reach them , call 1-866-99BABY1 .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

A newborn girl was saved after she was safely surrendered in a Safe Haven baby box in Seymour, Indiana, on Thursday. The girl’s rescue, the first at this location, comes less than a year after the box was installed. The surrender was the fifth time that a baby has been placed into a baby box in Indiana in the last two years.
The rescue happened at 1:30 pm at Seymour Fire Station 3. According to Fire Chief Brad Lucas, an alarm sounded as soon as the mother opened the box, and the baby was retrieved less than 60 seconds later. She was transported to a local hospital.
“The system worked perfectly,” Lucas said. “We had firefighters in the building, and the ambulance was on scene within minutes. The baby was transferred to the hospital and is doing great. We are proud to have this resource available for the residents of Seymour. We strive every day to ensure the safety of our residents, and this is just a way to ensure the safety of newborns.”

READ: Amazing: Czech Republic celebrates 200 babies saved by baby boxes
The successful surrender was made possible thanks to Indiana’s Safe Haven laws, which state that a newborn less than 30 days old can be surrendered to an emergency care facility, police station, fire station, or hospital, with no questions asked. Baby boxes are specially designed to make this surrender easy for parents, offering safe, climate-controlled places where parents can leave their children anonymously. As soon as a child is placed in the box, an alarm sounds and emergency personnel are immediately alerted to the baby’s presence.
Seymour’s baby box was installed in June 2019, thanks to the efforts of high school senior Hunter Wart, 19, who raised $10,000 for the box’s installation. According to CNN, Wart “spent more than a year mowing lawns and scrapping metal to raise the $10,000 needed to purchase a Safe Haven Baby Box for the Seymour Fire Department… as part of his senior project.”
The Seymour box is just one of 20 boxes throughout the state placed by the non-profit organization Safe Haven Baby Boxes, started by resident Monica Kelsey. Kelsey herself was abandoned as an infant.
“This baby is healthy, perfect, and doing very well,” Kelsey said in a news conference Friday morning. “She appeared to be not more than a couple hours old.” According to Kelsey, the baby is now in the custody of the Indiana Department of Child Services and she’ll be placed with an adoptive family sometime in the next 45 days.
“I want to personally thank the mom or dad who chose to surrender their newborn in a safe place,” said Kelsey. “All too often we hear stories of babies left in trash cans and dumpsters, and this parent loved their child enough to place this child safely, legally, in a Safe Haven baby box.”
The Safe Haven Baby Box organization also has a national hotline for women in crisis. To reach them, call 1-866-99BABY1.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-01-28--HORRIBLE: Center for people with disabilities repeatedly vandalized

A disability center that serves over 1,000 Californians with disabilities — including autism , Down syndrome , cerebral palsy , and more — has repeatedly been vandalized , causing the non-profit organization to lose thousands of dollars .
The people responsible have seemingly not been found .
ABC30 reported on the crimes , which have caused major problems for the United Cerebral Palsy of Central California ( UCPCC ) .
“ One of our buses ’ catalytic converter [ s ] was stolen , another bus ’ gas tank was drilled into , and we have three vehicles , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course gas was stolen , ” Cher Arambell , a member of the UCPCC development team , told the local news outlet .
“ We are scrambling for vehicles ; it makes it much harder for every single student.
” The students who go to the center work on things like art , agriculture , technology , education , and more .
UCPCC also provides job training and basic care , including The NEST , a program which gives services like baking , music , gardening , and more to elderly people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alzheimer ’ s or dementia .
But the vandalism and thefts are crippling their ability to help these people .
READ : Virginia lawmaker : People with Down syndrome should be allowed to receive organ donations “ It ’ s heartbreaking when I ’ m writing a grant that I ’ d love to see support a 3D printer for our students… and instead that ’ s going to have to pay for a new gas tank , ” Arambell said .
The center is even having to consider finding a new location @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner with a business that might have a safer location for us to put our vehicles.
” This unfortunately isn ’ t a new problem for UCPCC ; they ’ ve been plagued with these issues since at least last July .
Writing on their Facebook page over the Fourth of July weekend , the organization wrote , “ [ W ] e had a disappointing event occur .
One of our buses was vandalized and a catalytic converter was stolen out of it .
That will cost us at least $ 2,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,500 that could be spent on programs for the disabled students we serve.
” That criminals would target a center that caters to the needs of people with disabilities — some of the most vulnerable in society — is abhorrent , yet in a society that frequently devalues people with disabilities , it is not entirely shocking .
They are frequently targeted for abortion and assisted suicide , and told they ’ re better off dead than “ suffering ” through their lives .
Why would a non-profit organization that provides for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to life is not ?
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

A disability center that serves over 1,000 Californians with disabilities — including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and more — has repeatedly been vandalized, causing the non-profit organization to lose thousands of dollars. The people responsible have seemingly not been found.
ABC30 reported on the crimes, which have caused major problems for the United Cerebral Palsy of Central California (UCPCC). “One of our buses’ catalytic converter[s] was stolen, another bus’ gas tank was drilled into, and we have three vehicles, the gas lines of which were cut and of course gas was stolen,” Cher Arambell, a member of the UCPCC development team, told the local news outlet. “We are scrambling for vehicles; it makes it much harder for every single student.”
The students who go to the center work on things like art, agriculture, technology, education, and more. UCPCC also provides job training and basic care, including The NEST, a program which gives services like baking, music, gardening, and more to elderly people with disabilities, including those suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. But the vandalism and thefts are crippling their ability to help these people.
READ: Virginia lawmaker: People with Down syndrome should be allowed to receive organ donations

“It’s heartbreaking when I’m writing a grant that I’d love to see support a 3D printer for our students… and instead that’s going to have to pay for a new gas tank,” Arambell said. The center is even having to consider finding a new location. “We’d love to partner with a business that might have a safer location for us to put our vehicles.”
This unfortunately isn’t a new problem for UCPCC; they’ve been plagued with these issues since at least last July. Writing on their Facebook page over the Fourth of July weekend, the organization wrote, “[W]e had a disappointing event occur. One of our buses was vandalized and a catalytic converter was stolen out of it. That will cost us at least $2,500 to replace. That’s $2,500 that could be spent on programs for the disabled students we serve.”
That criminals would target a center that caters to the needs of people with disabilities — some of the most vulnerable in society — is abhorrent, yet in a society that frequently devalues people with disabilities, it is not entirely shocking. They are frequently targeted for abortion and assisted suicide, and told they’re better off dead than “suffering” through their lives. Why would a non-profit organization that provides for their needs be somehow respected when their very right to life is not?
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-01-28--U.S. still giving millions to American pro-abortion groups working overseas

( LifeSiteNews ) – Eighteen U.S. senators and 41 representatives have proposed to the State Department ’ s Secretary Mike Pompeo a plan to close a loophole in current American foreign policy that allows U.S. abortion organizations to receive taxpayer dollars .
In a letter to Pompeo on the eve of the 2020 March for Life , the members of Congress outlined a proposal to strengthen the Mexico City Policy , which is now called Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance .
The current policy bans global health assistance dollars to foreign nongovernmental organizations ( NGOs ) that commit or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s first actions when he took office was to reinstate and strengthen the Mexico City Policy .
The members of Congress are asking Pompeo to expand Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance to close a loophole in that policy : currently , NGOs that are incorporated in the U.S. may commit and promote abortions abroad .
The only pro-abortion NGOs banned from receiving foreign aid are international ones .
American NGOs would have to certify that they don ’ t commit abortions — using any funding source — or promote abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counseling or referrals , in order to receive U.S. taxdollars for overseas projects .
Their federally funded programs would also have to be physically and financially separated from abortion activities , similar to how health providers receiving Title X federal family planning funds must be domestically , thanks to a rule enacted by the Trump administration .
According to the letter , in fiscal year 2018 , U.S. taxpayers gave $ 123.2 million to Population Services International , which works to “ supply medications and train providers to give women safe , comprehensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pathfinder International , which collaborates with governments “ to ensure quality comprehensive abortion services , ” received $ 85.7 million ; $ 52.2 went to PATH , which promotes abortion in Nepal .
The pro-abortion Population Council received $ 15.8 million .
Ten point three million dollars went to Engender Health , which works to ensure that “ women and girls ” have “ access ” to “ [ a ] ge- and context-specific sexual and reproductive health-related decision-making power inclusive of use of contraception , having children , going for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advance abortion in Ethiopia , according to the letter .
Womancare Global International manufactures a device called the Manual Vacuum Aspirator , which is used to suck babies from their mothers ’ bodies during abortions .
The organization received $ 2.2 million .
“ Currently , nothing prevents these and other U.S. NGOs from integrating abortion-related activities into taxpayer-funded global health programs , ” the letter explained .
“ President Trump and Secretary Pompeo have already demonstrated their willingness to step up to the plate in defense of innocent life here at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Title X funding , ” said Sen. Mike Lee ( R-Utah ) .
“ We encourage the administration to hold domestic NGOs to the same standard in foreign assistance they are held to in Title X funding .
Domestic NGOs should have to maintain physical and financial separation from abortion-related activities within federally funded programs.
” “ As it stands , the United States is the largest provider of global health funding , and it ’ s imperative that federal funds for health care are used to preserve and protect the sanctity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( R-N.C. ) said .
“ Our position is clear : domestic NGOs must adhere to the same accountability measures outlined in Title X as they would if they received federal foreign assistance , ” Foxx explained .
“ If they choose to actively subvert these rules and engage in activities that support the termination of human life , their eligibility for taxpayer dollars should be forfeited.
” Notably , among the signers was Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-Ga. ) , who was appointed by Gov .
Brian Kemp to the U.S. Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had initially raised concerns about her connections to the abortion industry : she sits on the board of the hospital system that is associated with Georgia ’ s largest abortionist training program and co-owns a WNBA team that donated to Planned Parenthood .
Upon her acceptance of the appointment , Loeffler said she supports Georgia ’ s heartbeat bill and is “ unapologetically pro-life.
” Editor ’ s Note : This article was originally published at LifeSiteNews and is reprinted here with permission .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
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The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
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(LifeSiteNews) – Eighteen U.S. senators and 41 representatives have proposed to the State Department’s Secretary Mike Pompeo a plan to close a loophole in current American foreign policy that allows U.S. abortion organizations to receive taxpayer dollars.
In a letter to Pompeo on the eve of the 2020 March for Life, the members of Congress outlined a proposal to strengthen the Mexico City Policy, which is now called Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance. The current policy bans global health assistance dollars to foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that commit or promote abortions.
One of President Donald Trump’s first actions when he took office was to reinstate and strengthen the Mexico City Policy.
The members of Congress are asking Pompeo to expand Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance to close a loophole in that policy: currently, NGOs that are incorporated in the U.S. may commit and promote abortions abroad. The only pro-abortion NGOs banned from receiving foreign aid are international ones.
American NGOs would have to certify that they don’t commit abortions — using any funding source — or promote abortions within federally funded programs, including via counseling or referrals, in order to receive U.S. taxdollars for overseas projects. Their federally funded programs would also have to be physically and financially separated from abortion activities, similar to how health providers receiving Title X federal family planning funds must be domestically, thanks to a rule enacted by the Trump administration.
According to the letter, in fiscal year 2018, U.S. taxpayers gave $123.2 million to Population Services International, which works to “supply medications and train providers to give women safe, comprehensive medical abortion care [sic].” Pathfinder International, which collaborates with governments “to ensure quality comprehensive abortion services,” received $85.7 million; $52.2 went to PATH, which promotes abortion in Nepal.
The pro-abortion Population Council received $15.8 million. Ten point three million dollars went to Engender Health, which works to ensure that “women and girls” have “access” to “[a]ge- and context-specific sexual and reproductive health-related decision-making power inclusive of use of contraception, having children, going for an abortion.” Engender Health has been working to advance abortion in Ethiopia, according to the letter.
Womancare Global International manufactures a device called the Manual Vacuum Aspirator, which is used to suck babies from their mothers’ bodies during abortions. The organization received $2.2 million.
READ: Two polls: Overwhelming majority of Americans support significant abortion restrictions
“Currently, nothing prevents these and other U.S. NGOs from integrating abortion-related activities into taxpayer-funded global health programs,” the letter explained.
“President Trump and Secretary Pompeo have already demonstrated their willingness to step up to the plate in defense of innocent life here at home with protections put in place for Title X funding,” said Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). “We encourage the administration to hold domestic NGOs to the same standard in foreign assistance they are held to in Title X funding. Domestic NGOs should have to maintain physical and financial separation from abortion-related activities within federally funded programs.”
“As it stands, the United States is the largest provider of global health funding, and it’s imperative that federal funds for health care are used to preserve and protect the sanctity of human life,” Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) said.
“Our position is clear: domestic NGOs must adhere to the same accountability measures outlined in Title X as they would if they received federal foreign assistance,” Foxx explained. “If they choose to actively subvert these rules and engage in activities that support the termination of human life, their eligibility for taxpayer dollars should be forfeited.”
Notably, among the signers was Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), who was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to the U.S. Senate when Sen. Johnny Isakson retired. Pro-lifers had initially raised concerns about her connections to the abortion industry: she sits on the board of the hospital system that is associated with Georgia’s largest abortionist training program and co-owns a WNBA team that donated to Planned Parenthood.
Upon her acceptance of the appointment, Loeffler said she supports Georgia’s heartbeat bill and is “unapologetically pro-life.”
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published at LifeSiteNews and is reprinted here with permission.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-01-28--WATCH: Varsity basketball player with Down syndrome sinks two three-pointers

For Mason Doherty , a senior and a member of the varsity basketball team at St. Peter ’ s High School in Minnesota , three-pointers are his favorite part of the game .
He sinks them all the time — and the fact that he has Down syndrome also has made him a beloved member of both the team , and the community .
Last month , Doherty and his teammates faced off against Hawley High School for the Carnal Classic , a tournament set up to honor former coach Steve Carnal .
Each participating team featured coaches who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doherty is known for his three-pointers — so much so , that the crowd goes wild every time he steps onto the court .
“ This is what he does .
He shoots the threes , but he ’ s always shot the threes , ” his mother , Laura Doherty , told WCCO .
“ It ’ s overwhelming sometimes to see the support , and everybody rallies for him.
” Doherty was placed on varsity at the beginning of the year , but his coach and fellow teammates all agreed he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s a great experience for every single one of these players on our team , ” Josh Johnson , one of his teammates , said to WCCO .
READ : Mother starts bakeshop to showcase capabilities of daughter with Down syndrome During the Carnal Classic , Doherty came into the game late , but quickly sank two three-pointers , back to back — and everyone in the gym went wild .
“ It brings a tear to our eyes every single time you see his teammates flying off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the bench , and everyone in the stands is on their feet , ” Doherty ’ s dad , Darin Doherty , told WCCO .
According to the Grand Forks Herald , the opposing team knew not to interfere with Doherty as he took his shots .
They were too far behind to come back , so it was a perfect opportunity to let Doherty ’ s skills shine .
“ It was awesome with my kids because we didn ’ t have to talk about it in any way , shape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brevin Stoa told the Herald .
“ This was a great opportunity for our kids to not only be a part of a memory , but to help create and be excited in a moment for a young man who has probably had it a little bit more difficult than the average teenager.
” Stoa tries to instill in his players that the game is about something bigger than just basketball , and St. Peter Head Coach Sean Keating feels the same way .
“ You couldn ’ t help but smile and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Herald .
“ That ’ s what high school sports should be all about.
” Doherty has mastered his three-point shot with a lot of practice , and inspiration from Steph Curry , an NBA star who plays for the Golden State Warriors .
But at the tournament , people who had no idea who he was were cheering for him , something that meant a lot to his parents .
“ Since people with disabilities get marginalized a lot in our society , him doing that and then everybody cheering it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of putting Mason first , it just brings complete joy , ” Darin said to the Grand Forks Herald .
“ There ’ s been many times where it makes my wife and I cry on the sidelines , because your heart just explodes with joy.
” “ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

For Mason Doherty, a senior and a member of the varsity basketball team at St. Peter’s High School in Minnesota, three-pointers are his favorite part of the game. He sinks them all the time — and the fact that he has Down syndrome also has made him a beloved member of both the team, and the community.
Last month, Doherty and his teammates faced off against Hawley High School for the Carnal Classic, a tournament set up to honor former coach Steve Carnal. Each participating team featured coaches who had previously been coached by Carnal. And Doherty is known for his three-pointers — so much so, that the crowd goes wild every time he steps onto the court.
“This is what he does. He shoots the threes, but he’s always shot the threes,” his mother, Laura Doherty, told WCCO. “It’s overwhelming sometimes to see the support, and everybody rallies for him.”
Doherty was placed on varsity at the beginning of the year, but his coach and fellow teammates all agreed he would play during each game, too. “It’s a great experience for every single one of these players on our team,” Josh Johnson, one of his teammates, said to WCCO.
READ: Mother starts bakeshop to showcase capabilities of daughter with Down syndrome
During the Carnal Classic, Doherty came into the game late, but quickly sank two three-pointers, back to back — and everyone in the gym went wild. “It brings a tear to our eyes every single time you see his teammates flying off the bench. The other team is flying off the bench, and everyone in the stands is on their feet,” Doherty’s dad, Darin Doherty, told WCCO.
And then…he did it again! pic.twitter.com/1Fkl3RVeRD — Kevin Kochmann (@KevinKochmann) December 28, 2019
According to the Grand Forks Herald, the opposing team knew not to interfere with Doherty as he took his shots. They were too far behind to come back, so it was a perfect opportunity to let Doherty’s skills shine. “It was awesome with my kids because we didn’t have to talk about it in any way, shape or form,” Hawley Head Coach Brevin Stoa told the Herald. “This was a great opportunity for our kids to not only be a part of a memory, but to help create and be excited in a moment for a young man who has probably had it a little bit more difficult than the average teenager.” Stoa tries to instill in his players that the game is about something bigger than just basketball, and St. Peter Head Coach Sean Keating feels the same way.
“You couldn’t help but smile and feel good,” Keating said to the Herald. “That’s what high school sports should be all about.”
Doherty has mastered his three-point shot with a lot of practice, and inspiration from Steph Curry, an NBA star who plays for the Golden State Warriors. But at the tournament, people who had no idea who he was were cheering for him, something that meant a lot to his parents. “Since people with disabilities get marginalized a lot in our society, him doing that and then everybody cheering it on and putting themselves second and kind of putting Mason first, it just brings complete joy,” Darin said to the Grand Forks Herald. “There’s been many times where it makes my wife and I cry on the sidelines, because your heart just explodes with joy.”
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-01-28--Deeper Still healing retreats are transforming the lives of women and men hurt by abortion

Years ago , Karen Ellison experienced an abortion .
When she realized later on that she needed to heal from the experience , she joined a Bible study geared towards abortion recovery .
She found that the format of meeting once a week for an hour over a period of six to 12 weeks was challenging for women seeking to go deep in their healing journey .
Besides losing participants due to the length of the study , the process of “ opening up ” their hearts for an hour , and then seemingly “ closing them back down ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next week was a barrier to significant healing for the women .
Over seven years , Ellison and a team of like-minded individuals developed a weekend long abortion healing retreat format that they launched in 2008 .
Ellison spoke with Live Action News about what distinguishes Deeper Still among other abortion recovery options and about what participants encounter on a retreat weekend .
Ellison told Live Action News that Deeper Still takes a distinctively Christian approach .
The Deeper Still team understands that healing from abortion is not just a matter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural sense .
Rather , healing from abortion requires a literal transformation of the heart that can only occur through the power of Jesus Christ .
That heart-level transformation opens individuals first to seek forgiveness for the abortion but then also to extend forgiveness to others involved in the abortion decision .
Deeper Still weekend retreats are offered free of charge to both men and women .
The team strives to “ provide a safe space full of God ’ s presence , ” and off-site prayer warriors pray for this intention throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the weekend to help make the reality of each aborted child ’ s life concrete and tangible .
Each participant receives a teddy bear , a universal child ’ s toy , to help them connect with their child or children lost to abortion .
READ : Research shows post-abortion trauma is very real , and women aren ’ t alone Over the course of the weekend , participants are encouraged to name their children and to acknowledge the loss of an actual family member .
Participants are also encouraged to acknowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart or a father ’ s heart .
As they heal , participants find that they can finally stop parenting their living children out of a place of guilt , shame , and/or compensation for the abortion ( s ) in their past .
Team members also lead participants to consider what made them abortion-vulnerable in the first place .
They are encouraged both to take responsibility for those actions and to receive healing from those wounds as well .
The weekend closes with a memorial service , where participants are able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children from a place of peace rather than restlessness , anger , guilt , etc .
Followup includes a reunion six weeks later , to which spouses or close friends are invited .
Participants are encouraged to connect with a local church community , and are given a “ Letter to Your Pastor ” that explains the experience that they have just been through on the weekend .
Referrals are also given as needed for local assistance such as counseling , since participants often find that abortion is a foundational wound , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek healing for other wounds that contributed to their abortion decision .
In 12 years , Deeper Still has grown to include 14 chapters in the U.S. , plus a Spanish retreat in California and a Chinese retreat in Knoxville .
They are also developing retreat teams in China and Taiwan .
Each chapter ’ s team is trained by the Knoxville team to conduct retreats in their home cities and states .
Their ministry teams are made up of people who have had an abortion as well as those who have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training other teams , Ellison wrote a book last year called “ Healing the Hurt that Won ’ t Heal : Freedom for the Abortion-Wounded and Help for the Church that They Fear.
” She told Live Action News that the book is for post-abortive individuals as well as for churches , to assist them in creating a culture of healing in their congregations .
The book is available from their website , GoDeeperStill.org , or through Amazon .
Millions of men and women are abortion-wounded in our country .
Whether they seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 30 years after their abortion experiences , Deeper Still seeks to meet their needs and to facilitate healing and lasting freedom .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

Years ago, Karen Ellison experienced an abortion. When she realized later on that she needed to heal from the experience, she joined a Bible study geared towards abortion recovery. She found that the format of meeting once a week for an hour over a period of six to 12 weeks was challenging for women seeking to go deep in their healing journey. Besides losing participants due to the length of the study, the process of “opening up” their hearts for an hour, and then seemingly “closing them back down” at the end of each meeting until the next week was a barrier to significant healing for the women.
Over seven years, Ellison and a team of like-minded individuals developed a weekend long abortion healing retreat format that they launched in 2008. Ellison spoke with Live Action News about what distinguishes Deeper Still among other abortion recovery options and about what participants encounter on a retreat weekend.
Ellison told Live Action News that Deeper Still takes a distinctively Christian approach. The Deeper Still team understands that healing from abortion is not just a matter of telling your story and grieving in a natural sense. Rather, healing from abortion requires a literal transformation of the heart that can only occur through the power of Jesus Christ. That heart-level transformation opens individuals first to seek forgiveness for the abortion but then also to extend forgiveness to others involved in the abortion decision.
Deeper Still weekend retreats are offered free of charge to both men and women. The team strives to “provide a safe space full of God’s presence,” and off-site prayer warriors pray for this intention throughout the entire weekend. Symbols are used throughout the weekend to help make the reality of each aborted child’s life concrete and tangible. Each participant receives a teddy bear, a universal child’s toy, to help them connect with their child or children lost to abortion.
READ: Research shows post-abortion trauma is very real, and women aren’t alone
Over the course of the weekend, participants are encouraged to name their children and to acknowledge the loss of an actual family member. Participants are also encouraged to acknowledge that abortion damages a mother’s heart or a father’s heart. As they heal, participants find that they can finally stop parenting their living children out of a place of guilt, shame, and/or compensation for the abortion(s) in their past.
Team members also lead participants to consider what made them abortion-vulnerable in the first place. They are encouraged both to take responsibility for those actions and to receive healing from those wounds as well. The weekend closes with a memorial service, where participants are able to acknowledge, honor, and grieve their children from a place of peace rather than restlessness, anger, guilt, etc.
Followup includes a reunion six weeks later, to which spouses or close friends are invited. Participants are encouraged to connect with a local church community, and are given a “Letter to Your Pastor” that explains the experience that they have just been through on the weekend. Referrals are also given as needed for local assistance such as counseling, since participants often find that abortion is a foundational wound, and that healing from it leads them to seek healing for other wounds that contributed to their abortion decision.
In 12 years, Deeper Still has grown to include 14 chapters in the U.S., plus a Spanish retreat in California and a Chinese retreat in Knoxville. They are also developing retreat teams in China and Taiwan. Each chapter’s team is trained by the Knoxville team to conduct retreats in their home cities and states. Their ministry teams are made up of people who have had an abortion as well as those who have not.
READ: Men describe suffering from post-abortion trauma: ‘I was totally destroyed’
In addition to leading retreats and training other teams, Ellison wrote a book last year called “Healing the Hurt that Won’t Heal: Freedom for the Abortion-Wounded and Help for the Church that They Fear.” She told Live Action News that the book is for post-abortive individuals as well as for churches, to assist them in creating a culture of healing in their congregations. The book is available from their website, GoDeeperStill.org, or through Amazon.
Millions of men and women are abortion-wounded in our country. Whether they seek healing 5, 10, 20, or 30 years after their abortion experiences, Deeper Still seeks to meet their needs and to facilitate healing and lasting freedom.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!