6,500 – 7,000 Virginians March To Reject Abortion Extremism

On April 3rd, thousands of pro-life Virginians marched against abortion extremism in their state. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

A few months before, a video of Virginia Delegate Kathy Tran defended a bill that would allow for a pre-born baby to be killed during birth went viral. All eyes were on Virginia when Governor Ralph Northam in a live radio interview on Tran’s bill made comments strongly suggesting support for leaving a child to die after an abortion – in other words, infanticide.

Thank you, Governor Northam, for waking people up to the extremism of the pro-abortion lobby. – Virginia resident, Kendra #vamarchforlife pic.twitter.com/Vfnwus4mxG

— March for Life (@March_for_Life) April 3, 2019

Pro-life Americans across the entire country were outraged by Tran’s and Northam’s extremism. A huge majority of Americans reject birthday abortions. A recent Gallup Poll found that 87% of Americans do not support abortion in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. But we know that even one abortion is one too many.

In a column by Jeanne Mancini, March for Life President, she wrote:

Sadly, it’s no surprise that Tran and Northam are partnering with Planned Parenthood and the abortion lobby to advance an extreme pro-abortion agenda. Planned Parenthood committed $3 million to elect Northam and also gave funds to Tran’s political campaign, along with pro-abortion Emily’s List and NARAL. But that extreme agenda doesn’t reflect the views of most Virginians and our elected representatives shouldn’t be beholden to special interest groups, especially ones that fail to respect the inherent human dignity of every human person.

Pro-life Virginians knew something needed to be done.

April 3rd is Veto Day in Virginia, meaning every state politician must be present at the Richmond Capitol. While the capitol grounds are usually quiet on Veto Day, this year 6,500 – 7,000 Virginians rallied together to protest abortion extremism on the steps of the Richmond capitol building.

Virginia stands for life! #vamarchforlife pic.twitter.com/xs0W7L5KYa

— March for Life (@March_for_Life) April 3, 2019

Marchers heard from National pro-life speakers, like abortion survivor Melissa Ohden and Radiance Foundation founder Ryan Bomberger, from the Virginia pro-life organization Virginia Catholic Conference, the Family Foundation, and the Virginia Society for Human Life, and from State Senator Bill Stanley and Delegate Brenda Pogge.

During the Rally, pro-life State Delegates, led by Kirk Cox, the Speaker of the House, and pro-life State Senators surprised the marchers by visiting the Rally to give their heartfelt support for life.

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When the Rally concluded, Virginian students carried the March for Life banner down the streets surrounding the capitol building followed by their fellow pro-life marchers. Chants were cheered and songs were sung all proclaiming the pro-life message that every human life must be protected from the first moment of fertilization. After marchers returned to the capitol grounds, many were equipped to advocate for pro-life policy with their state legislatures at a training season with local leaders call ‘Richmond 101’.

As pro-life Virginians head into the rest of 2019, it’s a sure bet that they will be more actively engaged than ever in the pro-life mission to end abortion and build a culture of life in their state and community.

 

Picture this:

A pregnant 19-year-old is lying on a cold operating table when a very pregnant nurse walks into the room to commit the abortion.

A Planned Parenthood employee of eight years with a track record of directing one of the most efficient abortion clinics in the country wins employee of the year.

From the pro-life perspective, these scenarios seem like lost causes – what are the odds that either woman escapes the abortion industry?

But just when hope seemed spent, the quietest voices spoke the loudest.

One Saturday, Planned Parenthood’s rising star, Abby Johnson, watched a 13-week old baby fight and struggle for his life in the womb during an abortion procedure, and she was shaken to her core. She quit her job and the abortion industry a few weeks later, never to return.

After Abby left the abortion industry, she became passionately active in the pro-life movement, founding a ministry called And Then There Were None. ATWN seeks to love abortion clinic workers out of the industry and into a place of healing. They have already helped over 500 workers leave the grips of the abortion industry.

Abby’s story has continued to inspire the world. So much so that when the film producer, Chuck Konzelman, read Abby’s autobiography he knew that it needed to come alive on screen.

When looking for an actress to carry the responsibility of playing Abby in the upcoming movie, “Unplanned”, the directors chose Ashley Bratcher. After a quick phone call, Ashely accepted and headed down to Oklahoma for filming 5 hours later.

Ashley was already a few days into shooting when her mother called. Ashley hesitated to share the news of her latest role because she knew her mom had an abortion when she was young.  Ashley proceeded to carefully tell her mom about the role, explaining that the movie is not demeaning but about mercy, when her mom bursts into sobs.

“I need to tell you something I never told you before,” her mom cried into the phone. “When I was 19, I went to have an abortion with you…I was in the clinic, on the table, and the nurse was very pregnant…I got really sick to my stomach and I knew I couldn’t do it. And I got up, and I walked out, and I chose you.”

Ashley was completely stunned. She had no idea how close she came to being an abortion victim.

When there was no hope left, Ashley, the littlest, most vulnerable person in the room, spoke loud enough for her mother to hear. At the last moment, her mother’s heart was moved with love for her unborn daughter, and she chose life. Similarly, when witnessing an abortion, Abby’s heart heard the unborn baby’s silent scream, and she was overcome with compassion for him. Both of these unborn baby’s tiny voices were the loudest in the room.

The 13-week old unborn baby who opened Abby’s eyes to the truth of abortion isn’t on screen for more than a few moments. But in those moments you too will hear his voice; you will hear in your heart in the same question Abby heard: “Am I not a human being?”

Unplanned hits theaters everywhere this Friday, March 29^th. Tickets are available at unplannedfilm.com.

The March for Life team is grateful to have seen a pre-showing of the film, and we can attest that it has the power to change hearts and minds. We hope you will bring many friends and family with you to see this inspiring film!

 

 

“Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 18th chromosome. The majority of people with the syndrome die during the fetal stage; infants who survive experience serious defects and live for extremely short periods of time. This is associated with a broad spectrum of abnormalities which consist of greater than 130 discrete defects involving the brain, heart, craniofacial structures, kidneys, and stomach. Edwards Syndrome has no treatment and is usually fatal before birth or within the first year of life.”

I read these words as I waited in the maternal-fetal office. At just 23 years old, and 20 weeks pregnant, I had been referred to get a more in-depth ultrasound when my sonographer couldn’t see all of my daughter’s heart and noticed choroid plexus cysts on the brain. As I sat there, I googled “choroid plexus cysts.” Google always knows, right? These often were not indicators of anything, but at times were a soft marker for Trisomy 18. For some reason, this resonated with my heart. A genetic condition that I knew absolutely nothing about 10 minutes prior. The next several hours felt like a nightmare. I went back into the imaging room as the new sonographer scanned over my belly. She did this for two hours. She didn’t say a word. Finally, the doctor came in and asked if we had any idea what was going on. I said no.

He proceeded to say, “Basically, everything is wrong with this child. There are cysts on the brain, the fetus is missing half of its heart. There is a hypoplastic left ventricle. Clenched fists. The fetus is about 4 weeks behind on growth already and has severe intrauterine growth restriction. I see a cleft palate.” He paused for what felt like an eternity and then said, “Oh, and there are two clubbed feet. And it’s a girl.”

The doctor said I needed an amniocentesis to confirm, and that if it was indeed Trisomy 18, as he believed, I couldn’t continue my pregnancy. “She is incompatible with life. She won’t survive. I don’t think you understand how serious this is.”

We went forward with the amino, after a false preliminary result came back claiming Evelyn had Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), we received a phone call a week later saying the lab director had made a mistake. Evelyn had Trisomy 18, not Trisomy 21. The doctor proceeded to say, “I spoke with your OBGYN already, and he told me that you will be terminating. He has that scheduled for you.” I couldn’t believe what I heard. Not only had I made it clear that was not an option, the doctor’s name spoken was one I had never heard before. I had no idea he was even a part of this practice. I instantly told the doctor I wouldn’t be doing that. Again, he said, “I don’t think you understand this. She is incompatible with life. This is fatal. She will not survive.”

I was immediately dropped from the practice after calling through screams and sobs to ask where in the world that information came from and that I would continue my pregnancy. I went 5 weeks without a provider. Tragically, it was a thousand times easier to schedule an abortion for my child than it was to find proper care for myself and my pregnancy.

Finally, I found a practice. And my Evelyn Grace continued to live. I knew inside my womb was the safest place for Evelyn to be. I lived my pregnancy knowing simply that I was not the one that created my daughter’s heartbeat and I didn’t have the authority to decide when it ended. Although Evelyn existed inside of my womb during this time, her story and her life were uniquely her own. I was simply given the beautiful gift of stewarding that. And so Evelyn stayed put. And she grew. She made it to 39 weeks when I was induced, giving my team the order that Evelyn would receive full intervention after birth, just like any other critical newborn would.

Evelyn spent several weeks in Intensive Care before we went home. I spent this time and the time during my pregnancy learning and equipping myself to be the best mom and advocate for Evelyn.  I learned that a Trisomy condition, having three copies of any specific chromosome, is not a death sentence. Yes, there can be many health concerns that may come as a result of the third chromosome, but when these concerns are treated, these children will thrive.

I saw the strength and resilience of mothers ahead of me and their children in the Trisomy 21, 18, and 13 community. Through life in and out of the hospital, adapting to the medical equipment, and learning all about Evelyn’s care, my family and I have experienced more joy and love than we knew possible. I wish I could go back to myself that day in the office and say, “You have no idea what joy is ahead. Yes, this will be hard. And there will be valleys of despair and moments where this all seems too much. But you will see strength and love in yourself and in Evelyn that you didn’t know existed. The view you are about to have will take your breath away. Just keep going.”

The only tragedy here would be never meeting Evelyn. All of our days are limited. Not just a child with a chronic illness. None of us are promised tomorrow. I remind myself daily that on my best day or worst day caring for Evelyn, I never have the power to add or subtract a day from her life.

Only the author of life does. That frees me up to just be Evelyn’s mom. I don’t worry about her days ahead. I pray for wisdom for myself and her medical providers and leave the rest to God. I look forward to each day ahead with joy. Evelyn has truly changed our hearts from the inside out. Evelyn is now 2 ½ years old. She is a big sister to Esme, and a blessing to all she comes across. She daily changes the mind and hearts of those in the medical field we come across, and she is paving the way for others just like her. I will always choose life. I will always stand in the gap for those who are marginalized. Each life, no matter how long or short is precious and sacred. Every life has a purpose.

 

 

 

— Hannah Sudlow is first and foremost a Christ Follower, wife to Craig, and mom to Evelyn and Esme. She is also the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Evelyn’s Treehouse, inspired by her daughter, Evelyn. Their mission is to come alongside new families in the hospital who have received a life-changing medical diagnosis for their child by offering support and resources. Their goal is to help empower and equip parents to confidently live out their new role of caring for their medically complex child. Hannah is an advocate for the special needs community and those who are marginalized in their health care. Ultimately, Hannah shares Evelyn’s story to encourage others to see the value and sanctity in each and every life and help normalize special needs.