Concerned About Abortion? Save a Special Needs Baby!
by Sherry Bushnell
January 18, 2005
(AgapePress) - Presently America debates on whether to have government funding of abortions of disabled babies. I am reminded of Proverbs 12:10b (NAS): "Even the compassion of the wicked is cruel."Through Christian Homes and Special Kids (CHASK), thousands of Christians are trying to find these precious babies before it is too late. Most medical personnel are not aware there are families waiting to adopt special needs children. Instead, they encourage swiftly-made decisions to abort. The reality at CHASK is that there are no unwanted, unborn babies with disabilities. They are very easy to place. CHASK has no waiting children -- only hundreds of tenderhearted waiting parents.
Here are the stories of three babies who, during the last year, were snatched from death just in time.
Jeffery Jack Williams
Come with me to the living room of an older home. A mother-to-be, eight months along, sits on the couch weeping. The death of her baby is the key to their economic survival. Both she and her husband are diagnosed with schizophrenia. In order to still receive their SSI income, they must not have a baby in their home. Recently, they accepted Jesus as their Savior. They could not imagine who would adopt a baby with possible mental disabilities. The only alternative was to terminate the pregnancy.
The phone rang. It was her sister. A listening ear comforted her aching heart. In fact, the sister gave her hope: "If I can find a Christian adoptive home for this baby in three days, will you give birth?" she asked.
The mother-to-be and daddy-to-be gratefully accepted the sister's offer. The sister contacted CHASK. Within a few days, "Dear Birth Mom" letters and pictures from several families were in this hurting couple's hands. Here is a quote from a person who sees the baby in church with his new mom and dad each week.
"I have had the privilege of spending time with our youth pastor and wife and their new, wonderful baby boy! He is such a beautiful baby and so loved! It has been a joy to be a part of this adoption."
Sean Andrew Peterson
Sitting cross-legged in a corner of her group home, tears drenched her shredded Kleenex. Melissa, a 23-year-old mentally disabled girl, knew right from wrong. In her heart she knew that killing babies was wrong. She could not go through with the abortion. Her boyfriend wanted to raise his child. However, mildly mentally disabled, he was just as incapable as she was to care for a baby. For months they had been heavily pressured to abort.
Several months ago, an agency found a family to love their baby. That family backed out. Another family was found. This family also backed out. No one wanted her baby. She had to face the social worker again. His unkind words and "I-told-you-so's" left her quivering with grief. Hence, she faced making a most horrible decision.
CHASK was called by a concerned lawyer. Within several hours, we had two families very willing to adopt the couple's sweet baby. Sean Peterson was born last week, and is now home basking in the love of a mommy and daddy that will love him, no matter what his mental capabilities are.
Ezekiel Creamer
In a lonely hospital crib, a dark, curly-headed boy, born with only brain stem function, lay screaming. His head hurt terribly. Swelled with extra water, it put pressure on his skull. Surgery was denied. The doctor decided to let him die a natural death, seeing he had only minimal brain function anyway. A social worker, touched by the child's situation, contacted CHASK and urgently asked us to find a family to save this baby's life.
Within hours, several CHASK families were found who were willing to vouch for the importance of life for this hurting baby boy. A family was chosen in Kansas and immediately ordered the shunt placement. Baby Ezekiel's life was saved. He is home with his loving family and doing well, after three shunt revisions.
He is bringing joy to his family and is a testimony of Christ's caring attitude toward "the least of these."
Ezekiel's parents say: "He is doing much more developmentally than anyone thought he would! We praise God for saving his life."
'The Least of These'
We believe that many Christians, if they only knew how, would gladly lay down their lives for "the least of these." CHASK charges no fees. All states require a home study (around $800) and lawyer fees ($500 - $1,500). Travel is possibly needed. Many CHASK families have found lawyers to do the work for free. At present, CHASK is able to hook families up in the United States and Canada.
Before God, we feel morally responsible to do our best to save the life of each baby that comes across our path. It is a battle between life and death. Sometimes death wins, but mostly, when a birth mother calls CHASK, she is desperately looking for a way to save her baby. My own family, including our children with special needs, prays desperately for the little tiny lives that are at stake. It is so touching to see our son with Down syndrome praying sincerely for the life of another with his disability. The odds are terrible. Ninety percent of all babies with Down syndrome are aborted.
Can you help us? We are looking for Christian adoptive families and those who can help us locate adoptive families. We need prayer warriors.
Sherry Bushnell is with CHASK, a 501(C)3 not-for-profit organization based in Porthill, Idaho. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information on how your family can get involved with saving special needs babies with CHASK, contact chaskinfo@aol.com.
