The Courage Of A Mother And The Gift Of Life

She called her baby girl Faith Hope. Despite the fatal diagnosis, Myah Walker chose to carry her daughter to term:

Only about five percent of babies with anencephaly are carried to term...

Most of the mothers I know (actually all of the ones I know) who choose to carry to term are married and are either stay-at-home moms or have jobs with maternity leave.

I am 23 years old, unmarried, in my last year of university, no maternity leave, and pregnant with a baby girl who was diagnosed with anencephaly -a birth defect considered to be "incompatible with life."

If anyone had an excuse to terminate their pregnancy, it was me. But I didn't, not because it's wrong, but because I love her.

If I can do it then anyone can. You don't need to be strong. All it takes is love and faith in God.

If you've made your way to this site because your baby was recently diagnosed with anencephaly, I want you to know that even in the toughest circumstances, there is so much blessing in choosing to carry your baby to term. You will have so much joy that you never thought was possible and you'll never regret your decision.

(The Story of Faith Hope blog)

Myah's blog has several ultrasound pictures of the little baby girl. On one of them we can see little baby Faith Hope, just 5 or 6 days before birth - sucking her thumb. Disabled or healthy, in the womb or out, this is a little baby girl, not a "clump of cells". And, just as any baby girl, she deserves to live - whatever number of years God is willing to give her.

Little Faith Hope Walker is now 2 days old. Let's wish her and her courageous mother all the best.