Pro Life

By Kevin E. Downs

Why I feel so strongly for Pro-Life

On July 15, 2003 my twins Hannah and Isabelle were born prematurely. They were born at 25 weeks and weighed only 1 lb 9 oz each. My wife had a complicated pregnancy that led to a ruptured placenta and she was given a 10% chance of survival. The doctor informed me that my twins would have a 2% chance of survival and if they did survive would have a 90% chance of cerebral palsy, mental retardation, blindness, etc.

I went down to the empty chapel in York Hospital and signed my name to the attendant book. I knelt before god and broke down crying while I begged for my wife and twins to live. I did not ask for a quality of life, but rather life itself. The pastor came into the chapel and asked if I was alright. I explained what had happened. He did not promise me their survival, but did assure me it was in God's hands. He asked for my promise that if they did survive that I would raise them with a strong belief in God.

My wife was in a coma for about 20 hours. My twins were in the NICU for 4 months. The twins are now 8 years old and are 100% healthy with the exception of some severe asthma. I thank god every night before I fall asleep for my three daughters and my wonderful wife.

What terrifies me the most is that there are those that state the fetus cannot feel pain and my twins may have qualified for partial birth abortion? I have held a 1 lb 9 oz baby. I can tell you they experience pain, sense touch, interact and feel the bond of love.