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Struggling for breath in the hospital emergency room, I worked to inhale the medicine flowing through the mask over my mouth. And as I fought, I thought again about the woman who gave me birth and then, as I saw it, abandoned me in the hospital to die.
I was born in 1946, very premature and weighing under three pounds. Placed in an incubator and given oxygen for my underdeveloped lungs, I spent three months in the hospital. The couple who wanted to adopt me was not allowed to visit, as I was not expected to live. The adoption agency feared for their emotional lives should they become attached to a baby doomed to die.
My mother traveled back to her home soon after my birth, returning only to sign the relinquishment papers when it appeared that I would survive. At that point, I was placed with my adoptive family. Until then, I had only the nurses to care for me; one of them baptized me when I was three days old.
Ups and Downs. The breathing problems I had as an infant led to…
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This is a wonderful article on faith and how the holy spirit works. I agree with Gretchen we as a church do not think about the young women who decide I will give my baby up for adoption. Let us continue to pray for the young women who have given life to children and the importance of care for them before their baby comes into this world.
I too am one of 4 adopted kids...and yes a LOT of medical issues throughout the years...there is no blood relation among any of us either. My parents were always up front about the fact that we adopted and therefore they (adoptive parents) went out of their way to obtain all 4 of us..2 of my siblings have met their biological parents, but coming from New York, it would take way too much money and time for me to pursue any medical information at age 57 myself. I have also spent much more time in hospitals during my life with asthma, copd, sinus polyps, and more recently type 2 diabetes that after 8 years is still not under proper control. Both of may adoptive parents are gone now.. my father 38 years ago and mom 11 years ago this year. I still miss them daily… I am NOT angry at my biological parents… I have some limited information as to circumstances and background, but never enough… especially to pass on to my own 18 year old son...I am greatful that I was given up to a home that loved me, took care of me, and molded me into the man I am today.
If this had all happened today, I’d probably have been aborted, so for that reason alone, I am so thankful for being put up for adoption. Yes my own medical problems have made life not difficult, but challenging.. and I have been able to meet the challenges head on. If I die tonight, I have had a wonderful fulfilling life, and one in which I believe that I have made a difference in for many others… I have truly been blessed, and I thank HIM every day also. I have been a part of His master plan…
God Bless…
wfg - in FL
While in adoration this morning, I decided to read the articles in WAU after reading my daily scripture and WAU meditation. I came across this article from Gretchen Traylor and it caught my eye. I had to read it...I AM a birth-mother. Little did I know that I would be getting the answer to my prayers. I have been praying about my grief over my son for quite sometime now, and have been told by friends that I should seek counseling. I don’t feel I need counseling per se, i just want to be heard and understood. I will be investigating, “Day of Honor and Recognition for Birthmothers” to see if this group is what I am looking for. I need to talk to women who are also birthmoms, other women just don’t understand.
Thank you Jesus, for prayers answered!!
God is Good. No situation ever catch Him unaware. From the begining of anything, He is always there working all things for His purpose if only we allow Him. May God bless all parents especially mothers. May God bless Gretchen, heal her and fulfill His purpose in her life.
At sixteen my daughter gave birth to Anna. My sister and her husband, who could not have children adopted Anna. I truly feel that God guided us in the right path for Anna in giving her the parents she needed and the protection she would need. After Anna’s birth, I feared greatly for my daughters mental well being. She is healing now and doing very well but it is a every day struggle. She is now Anna’s cousin (although Anna knows she grew in her tummy and not her mommy’s tummy). I could not find a support group either through the Church or outside of it that addressed the birth mother’s grief. And she did not want counseling. I am so happy to read of this program and feel the need to find out more about it! Thank you Lord!