I was born at just 29 weeks. That’s right, my mom gave birth to me when I was 11 weeks premature.
I weighed only two pounds and 15 ounces, though shortly after birth, I dropped to just two pounds and nine ounces.
Two days before my birth, my parents rushed to the hospital after my mom suddenly started having contractions; the doctors delayed my birth for as long as possible to give my lungs time to develop. Those two extra days were the only reason I was able to breathe on my own after birth.
But praise God, after spending five weeks in the hospital, I went home happy and healthy – six weeks before I was supposed to have been born.
The modern, anti-life Left wishes stories like mine didn’t exist.
Because every breath I take is a reminder that life begins in the womb.
There are currently six states plus Washington, D.C., which permit the killing of preborn babies for any reason up until the moment of birth: Alaska, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, New Jersey and Vermont.
Those six states plus D.C. permit the killing of preborn children who are more developed and older than I was when I was born.
If I was a living baby at 29 weeks old, certainly preborn babies at 30, 32, and 34 weeks old are living human beings too.
They are human babies – but in the states listed above, they’re not worthy of life.
On Saturday, June 24, 2023, we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which overturned the unconstitutional Roe v. Wade decision.
Dobbs returned the political debate over abortion back to the people and their elected representatives in state legislatures and the U.S. Congress.
As a former 29 weeks old baby, I’m grateful for the overdue demise of Roe.
I’m grateful that states can once again protect life from the moment of conception.
I’m grateful for the over 2,700 pregnancy resource centers that provide pregnant women facing difficult circumstances with medical care, education, mentoring and material support at little to no cost to their clients. These centers provide $270 million in services to women, all due to generous donors.
That fact proves that the idea that pro-life supporters only care about the baby, and not about women, has no basis in reality. Pregnancy resource centers are funded by hundreds of thousands of self-sacrificing, pro-life donors and exist to provide care for women.
I’m grateful for the many courageous pro-life legislators – in both the states and the U.S. Congress – who are fighting hard to protect life in the womb. They’re up against an immensely powerful and extraordinarily well-funded abortion lobby. They deserve our gratitude and our support.
I’m grateful for dauntless pro-life advocates – Lila Rose, Mother Theresa, Jack Willke, Robert P. George, Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson and current Focus president Jim Daly among many others – who have carried the torch for the pro-life movement and have never, ever, ever given up.
And lastly, I’m grateful to the good Lord, who worked through His body – the Church – to overturn Roe and save thousands of babies from an early death.
One year after Dobbs, the pro-life movement marches on. There’s still much work to do.
To celebrate this one-year anniversary of Dobbs, consider what you can do to protect preborn babies in the womb, including 29-week-old babies like me.
Focus on the Family’s Nicole Hunt will be speaking at Saturday’s (June 24th) NATIONAL CELEBRATE LIFE DAY at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Nicole and others will be commemorating the one-year anniversary of the fall of Roe. Click here to register for the live stream.
Focus on the Family has been working to turn the cultural tide and save mothers and babies from abortion for years. Since beginning the Option Ultrasound Program in 2004, Focus has helped save nearly half a million lives.
Our goal is to save one million babies by 2025. Just $60 will save a life through Option Ultrasound. Will you partner with us to save a life from abortion here?
Additionally, if you are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and want to learn more about your options, you can visit My Choice Network here.
When you need someone to talk to about your baby, or whatever else you’re going through, we’re here. Please reach out. 1-800-A-FAMILY.
Related articles and resources:
Counseling Consultation & Referrals
Calling All Pro-Life Supporters: All Hands on Deck to Protect Life in Ohio
Focus on the Family Launches ‘It’s a Baby’ Ad Campaign to Change Minds on Abortion
One Year After ‘Dobbs,’ New Book Honors Fifty Greatest Pro-Life Leaders
Support Your Local, Pro-Life Pregnancy Medical Clinic
How to Join the Pro-Life Movement
Photo of Zach Mettler after being released from the hospital. Photo Credit: Zach Mettler.
