The Face of Late-Term Abortion

This brilliant editorial retort was sent in to the Columbus Dispatch by Kelley Wenzlaff, candidate for the Ohio State Legislature.  Her campaign is called "Mom for the House" – and I am her Media Director.  I cannot tell you how proud I am of Kelley for writing this.  How many candidates do you know have the intestinal fortitude to state their true opinion with such clarity and compassion?  Kelley is a very rare bird indeed.  I think we need many more just like her.

David Brooks editorialof Tuesday April 24, makes a compelling, one sided case against late term abortion, while missing the point entirely.  He outlines the babies’ stages of growth in the womb, as he leads the reader into an impassioned pro life position.  Then he makes the outright lie that "when you look at the statements of the abortion rights forces, you find they can’t even look this matter in the face."

I ask anyone who believes that to read the complete testimony offered to State Legislature by the Julia, the mother of baby Thomas, available on the web at: Uncommon Misconception.

She says "I am the face of Late Term Abortion," and her story is heart wrenching.  She and her husband were happily expecting their first child, but 22 weeks into the pregnancy their dreams were shattered.  Baby Thomas had a condition known as arthogryposis.  Their baby had a chromosomal disorder.  He had clubbed hands and feet.  His legs were fixed in a bent position and his arms were permanently flexed straight.  He had a cleft palate and swelling of the brain.  This poor dear child was in severe pain from the constant and excruciating muscle contractions which racked his little body, day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute.  Believe me Mr. Brooks, his mother felt this child’s pain with every tremor of her womb.  She suffered for her baby in a way you will never comprehend.
 
The abortion rights "forces" you speak of are not a brutal army of baby haters.  We are mothers, fathers, and doctors, filled with love and compassion for all human life. Where we differ from you Mr. Brooks, is through our personal experience and depth of understanding on this issue.  We understand the complexities involved because we HAVE "looked this matter in the face." We are offended by your cheap shots, moral indignation, and attempts to focus societal shame on grieving mothers like Julia.

We differ because we trust our doctors more than your politicians.  We differ because we also trust women.  We trust them to be moral, and ethical, and intelligent, as they face these issues head on, and we certainly don’t need uninformed people like you telling well trained doctors what to do.

As for Thomas, his mother and father made the choice end the suffering of their beloved child.  They did this with heavy hearts, after many days of deep contemplation and prayer.  They did this on the advice of their doctors, and they did it with the welfare of Baby Thomas as their primary concern.  They wanted more time to decide, but were forced to move fast because of late term abortion laws. They discovered Thomas’s condition at 22 weeks, and were told the late term abortion law of 24 weeks was their deadline.  They wanted more time to consult with medical professionals and clergy, but people like you prevented that.

Julia writes: "In a procedure very similar to an amniocentesis, Thomas’s heart was stopped with a simple injection.  In that moment, as I held my husband’s hand, I met God and handed him my precious boy to care for, for all eternity.  Over the next 17 hours I labored to deliver Thomas’s body. It was a painful experience, but the only option given to a woman at 24 weeks gestation. Thomas Stephen was born into this world just after 6:00 a.m. on November 27, 2002 – the day before Thanksgiving.  The loving nurse who’d helped us through labor cleaned his fragile body and brought him to us. We held our boy for the next hour as we said goodbye. Our own eyes confirmed what our hearts had already come to know: that Thomas was not meant for this world. Thomas’s life and death have changed our lives in ways we will never fully comprehend... Through him, I’ve grown closer to God, who understands what it is to sacrifice your only begotten son in the name of mercy."

That Mr. Brooks, is the face of late term abortion, and no matter how many essays you write about cute little heartbeats and hands, YOU SIR, have no business in that hospital room, unless God forbid, the child you speak of is your own.

In conclusion, I ask the editorial staff of The Dispatch to consider the personal pain inflicted on real people like Julia and her husband when a one sided article like this is printed by a pundit with credentials from The New York Times.  I hope in the future The Dispatch will work hard to ensure that both sides of every issue are presented fairly, in the unbiased manner expected of professional journalism.

Kelley Wenzlaff
Mom for the House
http://www.momforthehouse.com/
Making Ohio Matter

Bravo, Kelley - Bravo!!!  The Columbus Dispatch called Kelley indicating they were going to publish her retort.  They have since backed off that claim.  I cry cowardice on their part.  Well - if they won't print it - I will; and I'll send it out to everyone I know.  So pick up the gauntlet, my friends.  Publish this on any bulletin boards you subscribe to.  Let people know there are still politicians out there ready willing and able to stand up and be counted!