It was a beautiful Wednesday evening in mid-October when a first-time mother put her little baby in the car seat, and drove a mile to the school building where the seventh grade religious education class she was teaching was to meet.

As she entered the classroom, the students saw the infant, gathered around, and were eager to take turns holding the four-month old baby girl. They fussed over the child, admiring with delight how little and sweet she was.

In the past two classes, the topic of abortion had come up in class discussions; some of these thirteen year-olds thought that it was alright for a woman to terminate her pregnancy, to end her unborn child’s life with an abortion, at least in certain cases.

Now, when class began, she, the teacher, asked for a show of hands of who thought an abortion was okay. Over half of the hands went up.

The young mother decided to help the students, tangibly, to look at the issue in a new way.

She went on to explain that this little baby had just been diagnosed, the week before, with a vision impairment; her optic nerves were underdeveloped. She and her husband did not know how much (if any) the baby would be able to see.

The class was speechless.

After more discussion, in closing, the young mother asked for a new show of hands as to how many students thought abortion was okay. No hands went up this time.

I share this story now, having heard it from my mother over the years, for I am that “little baby.” My life could have been terminated if those advocating selective abortion had their way.

With recent legislation, in some areas, which does not respect the dignity of the life of the unborn, I felt it was appropriate to share my connection with the issue.

Although I have had to deal with the challenges of impaired vision through the years, it definitely has not deprived my life of meaning. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to live, an opportunity denied to so many children of recent generations.

Now, I work in a care facility, serving Christ in our residents who need a caring home, people whose lives are not always seen as valuable. Many of them are elderly and closer to the end of their lives. I feel privileged to be able to help them, recognizing the dignity and value of each life.

Sr. Christina M. Neumann, OSF

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