Historic List of Speakers Finalized for the 44th Annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. on January 27th

Guest blog post by Rebekah Buell

In 2012, at the age of 17, I found out I was pregnant. It was the summer before my senior year of high school, so, needless to say, I was both shocked and scared. But, with much support, I chose life for my son and went on to graduate high school and even got accepted into a local university.

Things, however, did not stay great. About half way through my freshman year of college, my relationship became extremely abusive, and I decided that I needed to get out for mine and my son’s safety. Just as I did, I found out I was pregnant again. I was just shy of 19 and a teen mom to a toddler, and the thought of having another child seemed daunting and impossible.

It broke my heart, but, I chose to have an abortion… despite growing up and currently attending church and knowing this was morally wrong. Just like so many others, my mindset was not clear, and I panicked. In that moment of uncertainty that only an unplanned pregnancy can cause, I justified my actions, compromised my morals and headed to the abortion clinic.

On March 13th, 2013, I walked into Planned Parenthood, sat down, and swallowed the first of two abortion pills. I was sent on my way and instructed to take the second the following day to complete the process. But, when I got to my car, I had a radical change of heart.

Still outside of Planned Parenthood, I cried and prayed, as I felt deep regret for the decision I had just made. I looked online for help, but found nothing until I finally came across abortionpillreversal.com. The site offered a hotline number, and when I called, a nurse from a pregnancy center answered and explained that a regimen had just been released to reverse the abortion pill I had taken. I knew it wasn’t certain to work, but I was desperate. She found (and I drove) to a doctor 2 hours away who began progesterone injections, which I continued for weeks, as we tried to save my baby.

Despite the abortion clinic calling and saying that this would not work, I continued on with my pregnancy, and my second son, Zechariah, was born on 10/20/2013. He is one of the first reversal-babies in the world, and let me tell you, he is not just surviving, he is thriving, as he was and is perfectly healthy.

One selfless woman who answered my call, One caring pregnancy center, One doctor willing to take a chance, all led to one little, precious child being saved and one desperate mother being helped. That’s what is so amazing about this movement… we are all just “one,” yet, it is a powerful, domino effect that leads to real change and lives saved. Yes, because of ONE, my abortion was reversed, my life was redeemed, and my story is being re-written.

Through this journey, I have been on an “unplanned journey” that has led me to being a pro-life advocate, speaker, and most recently, –the community outreach coordinator for my local pregnancy center. I am dedicated to giving back to this movement through my life’s work and changing our society (politically and socially)!

God bless every single ONE that plays a role in this ministry. I am thankful for you, and I am thankful to now stand with you.

The 44^th annual March for Life is right around the corner, and we are hearing that lots of first-time marchers will be joining us this year! Below are a few tips to make sure you’re ready.

See you on January 27th!

1. Be prepared for cold weather!
   • Check the weather forecast before you’ll leave, but bring your warmest winter coat, no matter what!
   • Wear layers – you can add or remove depending on the temperature.
   • Bring hot hands for pockets, gloves, or boots.
   • Definitely bring gloves and hats, and wear comfortable, water-proof shoes.
2. Stay connected with your group members.
   • The crowds are very large, so try and stay physically connected to your group as much as possible.
   • Make sure everyone has at least one leader’s cell phone number.
   • Give everyone a map – you can print off paper copies OR download the March for Life app.
   • Inform everyone of time and meeting place after the march is finished.
3. Know your transportation options.
   • Again, if you’re with a large group, make sure everyone is informed.
   • If you’re traveling with a small group, we recommend using public transportation.
   • Buy your metro cards ahead of time, and know the stations you are using.
4. Bring signs!
   • Be creative, and let the world know why we march!
   • Even if you forget or can’t bring signs, many groups will have signs to hand out on the National Mall.
5. Get ready to document your experience!
   • It’s important to show “why we march” – beforehand, post pictures, messages of why you will be marching for life with #whywemarch.
   • With the technology and social media options we have, every marcher can be a “citizen journalist.”
   • During the event, post pictures and videos of the crowd with #whywemarch & #marchforlife.
   • Facebook Live is a great way to showcase the March for Life to your network– use this before, during, and after to document your experience and show and tell the world, #WhyWeMarch.
   • See all your posts at WhyWeMarch.org.
   • Consider wearing gloves that have screen sensitive finger tips!
   • Bring an extra battery charger for your devices!

     

6. Attend the March for Life Expo
   • Visit the March for Life expo before or after the rally and march – this is a great way to get connected to pro-life organizations and ministries so that you can stay involved in the pro-life movement all year round.
   • You can get your #WhyWeMarch picture taken at the March for Life photo booth!
7. Stay connected with the March for Life
   • Sign up for text message alerts so you can get important, late-breaking information: Text MARCH4LIFE to 99-000.
   • Sign up for March for Life emails for information before and after the event.
   • Download the March for Life app for maps, schedule, speaker bios, etc.
   • Follow the March for Life on social media.
     • Facebook: TheMarchforLife
     • Twitter: @March_for_Life
     • Instagram @marchforlife
     • Snapchat (themarchforlife)

The March for Life is an incredibly important opportunity for pro-life Americans from all across the country to come together and be a unified voice for a culture of life. We hope you will join us!

As you make your final preparations for your March for Life trip, be sure to include a visit to the March for Life expo in your schedule.

Guest post by Alexandra Kilgore

I was born with a disability, Multiple Pterigium Syndrome. It is so rare that my specialist, top-tier doctors often know far less about it than I do. It’s so rare that I wasn’t even officially diagnosed until I was 10- that’s how flabbergasted the medical community was that I was alive. It’s so rare that until I was 11, I had never even heard of, much less met, a single other soul that has this same condition. Throughout my life, well-meaning doctors have tried to gently inform my parents that I wouldn’t live through the night, the day, the week, the year. They were convinced that I’d never walk, talk, or have the intellectual ability of my peers. It was plain to see that there were some who were frankly surprised my mother did not terminate her pregnancy. Yet here I stand-stand, after several reconstructive surgeries!- almost age 18, a senior in high school taking AP classes with over a 4.0 GPA, singing and dancing in my school’s

Throughout my life, well-meaning doctors have tried to gently inform my parents that I wouldn’t live through the night, the day, the week, the year. They were convinced that I’d never walk, talk, or have the intellectual ability of my peers. It was plain to see that there were some who were frankly surprised my mother did not terminate her pregnancy. Yet here I stand-stand, after several reconstructive surgeries!- almost age 18, a senior in high school taking AP classes with over a 4.0 GPA, singing and dancing in my school’s

Yet here I stand-stand, after several reconstructive surgeries!- almost age 18, a senior in high school taking AP classes with over a 4.0 GPA, singing and dancing in my school’s theater productions, running and winning a senatorial campaign to attend ALA Girls Nation, and living out Christ’s miracles every day.

The fact of the matter is that people are reluctant to admit that abortion is a disability issue. We don’t like the ugly reality that some babies are aborted because their lives are considered less full because of a disability. We cringe from the truth that many are reluctant to embrace people with disabilities and don’t see our value. Mothers are understandably terrified by grim odds and scary prenatal diagnoses and feel that they have no options. But a life is no less worthy just because it is not necessarily healthy. It is my hope that women choose to place the lives of their babies in God’s hands and to choose life. Not perfect life. Not glossy magazine life.

It is my hope that women choose to place the lives of their babies in God’s hands and to choose life. Not perfect life. Not glossy magazine life. Life that is wacky and amazing and challenging and absolutely no less wonderful for it. Looking at all my medical complications, surgeries, and hospital stays on paper is bleak. But a diagnosis can never capture someone’s ambition, love, courage, and zest. This is the true Power of One- just one person who can say, “I did it. I believe you can do it, too.”