I’ve heard it said that “pro-life” tends to pretty much cover people only before they’re born or once they’re actually dying. I’m not that cynical, although I’ve seen it in action. But I’d like to explore this thought a bit.
One of the cases people like to argue about is kids with birth defects. Say, cystic fibrosis. If a woman is pregnant, and the child will have cystic fibrosis, is it ethical for her to get an abortion instead of subjecting a child to a short life of pain? Some people think it is. Some say it isn’t. I think it’s a tough choice, but I feel that my authority to tell people what to do is pretty much limited by how much I’m willing to accept the consequences of the policies I promote.
Lemme talk to you about Allan. Allan got born with cystic fibrosis, as did all three of his older siblings (all three are now all dead from it). Now, some people think you should abort babies who will be born with CF. In morbid moods, Allan does not always disagree. His life has not always been an easy or pleasant one, and it doesn’t look like being a long one. These days, if he isn’t coughing up blood, it’s a good day.
The only chance he has of living more than, oh, say, a year or two, is to get new lungs. You can get new lungs. The operation’s expensive, but it can be done. Allan’s even sort of on a waiting list. Only he can’t afford an operation. He’s got no health insurance, except Medicaid, and Medicaid would rather save lungs for people who have that kind of money available, or are healthy enough to work regular full-time jobs and get insurance.
That’s where the question comes in. We’ve got people who say no price is too high to ensure that Allan is born. So he’s born. Are we willing to pay the price now, or is it someone else’s problem?
So, let’s try a little experiment. Are we really talking about pro-life? If so, let’s see some donations. If I ever get paid (more on that in a future article), I’ll chip in a thousand bucks. Surely, there are two hundred and fifty pro-life people out there who are at least as committed to trying to preserve human life as I am? Come on, folks. Get with the program!
You can find out more about the project to save allan at:
(Note: If you get “host not found” or something, try again in a day or something; there’s been some weirdness with the server.)
Comments [archived]
From: tubby
Date: 2005-10-12 06:08:30 -0500
Peter, you need to have these verified. There are many internet scams. This may be legitimate, but beware.
I’d never donate to such an appeal.
There are many fine private charities funded by people of faith (many prolife) and there are also a lot of prolife medical ministries that help disabled children. I’d suggest donations to those groups you know.
A word to the wise…
From: seebs
Date: 2005-10-12 14:43:21 -0500
I’ve known Allan for three years, and his donations are being handled by one of the charities that is focused on kids with cystic fibrosis. He’s legit.
From: ariel barcelo
Date: 2007-03-05 11:05:47 -0600
yo this is your abortion info for school