Here is a picture of the hand of a fetus that some believe has saved many lives. http://www.foxnews.com/photoessay/0,4644,7197,00.html#1_0 This rare picture is one that was taken over 9 years ago. The photo is of a child named Samuel Armas taken during surgery, inside of his mother’s womb, to repair damage to his body from spina bifida which is a birth defect. Samuel was only 21 weeks into his growth inside his mother’s womb. Samuel by having this very special moment captured on camera feels that lives were saved from abortion, by seeing the image of his small hand reaching out. Samuel feels very strongly about this photograph. He appears proud of the impact that his photograph, as an unborn child, has had on the lives of others.
I think it is a powerful image. To me it shows the human need to touch another; to give and receive comfort and strength from one human being to another. It also shows the helplessness of the child in the womb. It is so very dependent on those of us who are alive and grown. It should be instinctual to protect the unborn; but, unfortunately there are many who believe in the right to chose to destroy a fetus (unborn child). Why should one life be more valuable, or have the right to take the life of another simply because the unborn have no say in the matter? God is the creator of life…only God should also be the one to decide who lives and who dies.
This photograph was discussed in Congress when debates were taking place regarding partial birth abortions and the prospect of banning them. That is the power of this image; the partial birth abortion ban was passed in 2000. I wonder, how could anyone have an abortion after seeing that picture? I feel for those who have had an abortion in the past and come to regret it. I often think that women are not fully educated to all the damage that occur by choosing an abortion. Many lives are destroyed after the fact by guilt, depression and sadness. We need to support women of all ages who find themselves in the situation of an unplanned pregnancy. I think the fragility and strength of life, while a child is still in it’s mother’s womb, is amazing both for the mother and child. What beauty the photographer, Michael Clancy, captured at that exact moment.
With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend…i wondered, what this photograph says to you? Life is precious…encourage those around you to respect it and to protect it! If you have been blessed by being born healthy, or, you have conceived a child and value the gift of life…could you support the March of Dimes? http://www.marchforbabies.org/
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