WATCH: Inspiration for Pro-Life Students

 

With Labor Day right around the corner, if you’re a college or high school student, it’s likely that you’re already back at school, or will be soon.

Goodbye, summer; hello, new school year.

Starting a new school year always presents new challenges and opportunities, especially if you’re a pro-life student. That being said, are you looking for some inspiration?

WATCH Katrina Gallic address her fellow students at the 2017 March for Life –>

She goes on to share:

“Our battle begins where we have the most influence – within our own hearts. The pro-life battle begins with the daily decision to live by the truth that every life in every stage is beautiful; dignified, and demands our love and our protection.

There will be times when we are ridiculed and rejected for standing for life. But we should never cower!

We can stare into the face of this injustice and have hope, for we know we fight for the truth.”

Whether you are a student, or not, we can all agree with Katrina’s final remark –

“We all look forward to the day when we will return to our nation’s capital not to march against the evil and injustice of abortion, but to celebrate victory of a new culture of life!”

Now let’s get to work spreading the message of respect for life to all those around us!

>>>> Watch the full clip of University of Mary student Katrina Gallic’s 2017 March for Life speech below ->

 

Did you see the CBS news segment on Iceland “eliminating” Down Syndrome?

The sad truth of the matter is that Iceland is not preventing or eradicating anything but rather terminating nearly 100% of their babies who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome.

We took to social media immediately to share the message that every life is a gift, and that the elimination of individuals with Down Syndrome is sickening and a form of eugenics.

Yesterday, our March for Life President Jeanne Mancini had an opinion editorial published in the Washington Post on this story. In it, Jeanne discusses the inherent dignity and value of every individual, including those with Down Syndrome.

>>> People with Down syndrome are happy. Why are we trying to eliminate them

Sadly, Iceland is not alone but is rather leading a world-wide trend. Babies who receive a positive Down Syndrome prenatal test in the United States are terminated 85% of the time.

Earlier this week, Jeanne also had the opportunity to discuss this issue and how to work towards a culture for life with Liz Wheeler on OAN News. (Click the image to watch the brief video.)

Thankfully, there are many groups and organizations that are working to support individuals and families of children with Down Syndrome. We are working to showcase such wonderful resources this week through the media – check them out HERE!

 

Guest Blog Post by Jessica Whitsitt

In case you haven’t heard, CBS News is reporting that Iceland is “eliminating Down Syndrome.” When you dig a little deeper, you realize that they are actually aborting almost 100% of children with Down Syndrome.

>>> Click to learn more about March for Life’s response to the story:

As a mother of a sweet perfect boy, who also just happens to have an extra copy of his 21st chromosome, it breaks my heart that many people believe a baby like mine is unworthy of life. Why do babies with Down Syndrome not deserve life? Is it because they are not typical? Because their life can have more challenges that are not their fault or that they can’t control?

This is why I believe children with Down Syndrome are being aborted – fear of the unknown. And unfortunately, the medical community does not provide adequate information for parents facing a diagnosis, and often offer abortion as a first option. To counteract this fear, allow me to share what it is like having a child with Down Syndrome.

Your first emotion is fierce protection over them. You want to protect them from the cruel world and pray that they will not come across someone who will make fun of them for who they are and what they cannot control.

The second emotion you will feel is fear, because you don’t know what to expect.  Down Syndrome comes in a wide spectrum. Some children are high functioning and they can drive, hold down jobs and live on their own. Some may have heart problems, or not be able to take care of themselves. But all of these symptoms are manageable and our society has greatly advanced in the care and opportunities available for children and individuals with disabilities.

Now we have been very, very lucky. Our son is the healthiest boy I’ve ever seen. He is almost one and never been sick. He seems to be on the high functioning side, but that doesn’t mean there are not challenges. He doesn’t crawl yet. He has not gotten his first tooth. He refuses to eat anything but puréed food. He only started sitting up last week. But so what? He’s going at his own pace and I want him to.

I truly believe Down syndrome children, as well as others with disabilities, can teach us more than we can ever teach them. From them, we can learn compassion, love, and patience. These beautiful souls like my son are the most loving people. They have an appreciation for life that others tend to forget; they do not mourn some life they wish they had.

It is us, those “normal” people, that are the ones who forget to stop and smell the roses, that get caught up in comparing ourselves with our friends and family.  Since my son was born, I no longer see the world through just my own eyes, I see them through his.

I want my son to know every day that he’s loved, adored, celebrated and that it is ok to be different. Isn’t that what life is all about? How boring if we were all the same! The richness of life is in learning, growing, and becoming a better person. I strive to be a better person every day for my son. He deserves it. Not because he has the perfect amount of chromosomes, but because he is a person with inherent value and dignity, not so different from you and me.

>>>> For more information on Down Syndrome and other chromosomal disabilities, click HERE.

 

The pro-life movement is indebted to the legacy of Nellie Gray, champion of the unborn, and founder of and president of the March for Life for 39 years. We remember and honor Nellie on the five year anniversary of her death.

Nellie was born in Texas and served in World War II in the Women’s Army Corps, following that she went on to work for the State Department in Germany.  When Nellie Gray heard about the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade / Doe v. Bolton decision to invalidate all state abortion laws, she was working as a lawyer for the federal government in Washington, D.C.

Fearing that January 22 would come and go with no recognition by the public, Nellie and a group of pro-life advocates gathered at her home in Washington to discuss ways to commemorate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the thousands of lives lost that year. In hopes that the decision would soon be overturned, they organized a one-time march around the U.S. Capitol, which drew an estimated 20,000 people.

When it was clear that Roe v. Wade was not going to be easily overturned, the March for Life was incorporated as a non-profit, non-sectarian organization, committed to a culture of life. Nellie quit her job to work as the full-time volunteer president of the organization and principal organizer of the event.

Apart from organizing the annual March for Life, Nellie and the early March for Life Committee, lobbied on behalf of the unborn on Capitol Hill, advocating for a “Human Life Amendment”. They organized “mini-marches” encouraging citizen lobbying, as well as marches in cities around the country from New York to Washington State. Sometimes referred to as the “Joan of Arc of the pro-life movement,” Nellie was known for her unwavering commitment to life and for her rallying cry of “no exceptions, no compromise” on the taking of innocent human life. Nellie was committed to protecting life regardless of the circumstances.

For 44 years, thanks to the dedication of Nellie Gray, who passed away on August 13 of 2012, the March for Life has taken place in Washington, D.C. every January, even in several feet of snow. As Nellie once said, “We will be here until we overturn Roe v. Wade, and believe me, we are going to overturn Roe v. Wade.”  Today, the March for Life draws hundreds of thousands, young and old alike, to Washington D.C. to protest abortion in America, and to celebrate the right to life.

Watch this inspiring video about the legacy of Nellie Gray:

 

 

 

March for Life President Jeanne Mancini visited with Kelly Rosati, March for Life Board Member and former VP of Community Outreach at Focus on the Family, for an inspiring and informative discussion on foster care and adoption.

Enjoy this video and be inspired to put your pro-life values in action!

For more information about Wait No More, click HERE.