Throughout the remainder of her pregnancy, Women’s Resource Center staff and volunteers worked feverishly with Gina as she prepared a plan to place her baby for adoption. With the assistance of her attorney and guidance of Women’s Resource Center advocates, Gina found the perfect couple in Starleen and Lou Schaffer who had wanted to adopt for some time. Finally the day came when Gina gave birth to a beautiful baby girl by the name of Athena. The much anticipated addition to the Schaffer family had finally arrived. Starleen and Lou nervously held their miracle for the first time. When Gina most needed support, she instead comforted the Schaffers and reassured them that they were going to be great parents. This selfless act characterized Gina’s undeniable generosity.

One year later, Gina was able to reunite with Athena and the Schaffers. Sadly, a couple of weeks after the reunion, Gina’s life ended abruptly. Because of her decision to embrace the gift of life, Athena is being raised by a beautiful Christian family. Gina’s love for her children and her kind spirit has left an imprint on those who had the opportunity to work with such a courageous young woman.

“He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:6-7).
 
It’s important to remember, too, that society’s views on abortion are changing, even though cultural shifts of this magnitude often take many years to fully materialize. William Wilberforce campaigned for 35 years to get rid of slavery in Britain. And even when President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in America, another 100 years would pass before black men and women were legally considered equal with whites. The wheels of justice grind slowly.
 
Still, the tide is turning in our favor. Hundreds of pieces of pro-life legislation have been passed in recent years, including parental notification laws, waiting period procedures, limits on taxpayer funding for abortion, and “right to know” measures that ensure women know not only the risks and realities of abortion but also the positive alternatives to it. The Supreme Court has outlawed the wretched murder of babies during the process of delivery. And, according to a recent Gallup survey, 51 percent of our citizens now call themselves “pro-life,” the highest number in 15 years.

Focus on the Family’s Option Ultrasound Program is an exciting outreach that provides grants for ultrasound machines and sonography training in pregnancy medical clinics. Since the beginning of Option Ultrasound in 2004, we have made over 450 grants to qualifying clinics, including a grant to Women’s Resource Center of Jacksonville. The data suggest that among women at risk for abortion, the combined provision of counseling and ultrasound results in nearly 60% more stated decisions for life than with counseling alone. And here’s the best news of all: We estimate that the potential number of babies saved could be as high as 72,000, Now, that’s cause for optimism!

The end of the tragic Roe v. Wade era is not a pipe dream. May God bless the efforts of those who remain dedicated to the preservation of every human life.

  He explained that this could be a sign of a chromosome abnormality like Turner syndrome, Williams syndrome or Down syndrome and referred us to see a high-risk doctor immediately. The high-risk doctor performed a sonogram, finding fluid on the spine, four heart defects, problems with her bowels, and one femur shorter than the other. He confirmed that these were markers for a chromosome abnormality. An amniocentesis would determine Hannah’s problem. Afterward, we could decide if we wanted to continue with the pregnancy.

He explained that Hannah probably wouldn’t make it full-term with her heart defects. If she did, she would probably die. He assured us that terminating a pregnancy was common practice; we could always try to have another baby later. I told him that abortion was not an option. He informed me that I was thinking emotionally, not logically. We needed to consider our options because we didn’t know what we were facing. With tears streaming down his face, my husband said, “You don’t know my God.” We left his office feeling sad, but we knew that God could heal Hannah. We believe that only God has the right to take the life of an unborn child.

At 37 weeks gestation, Hannah made her entrance on July 27, 2005, at 6:29 a.m., weighing 6 pounds 0.5 ounces, measuring 17 inches long with a head full of black hair and beautiful blue eyes. A pediatric cardiologist and NICU doctor were standing by. Hannah was born with Down syndrome. We didn’t care. We loved her.

After spending four weeks in the NICU, we were thrilled to bring our little girl home. When she was four months old, she had her first open-heart surgery. We never left her side in the hospital. Twice we thought the Lord might call her home, but apparently He had more work for her.

Hannah is now four years old and smart, communicating beautifully through her speech and sign language. She is happy and loving, strong-willed and independent. Our pastor told us that God picks special people for special children. My husband and I feel honored that He picked us for Hannah. We wouldn’t change a thing about her. She brings us so much joy daily.

She inspired us to create Hannah’s Hope, a new program at WRC that supports those whose babies have been have diagnosed prenatally with life-threatening or life altering conditions. We provide a safe place to grieve, plan, and receive mentoring from people who have been through similar trials. We also provide medical referrals to prepare families for birth and whatever comes beyond that point.

Hannah is truly a gift from God!