By Ashlynn Lemos, Texas Right to Life
 

Many women in Texas, like Kate Cox, have publicly celebrated their abortions in recent years, even rallying support around them.  In contrast, Texas stories like Ava Trammell’s offer an eye-opening and inspiring perspective on the value of Life.

Ava’s story began during her junior year of high school when she discovered she was pregnant. She was fortunate to have Pro-Life parents and a supportive church community who celebrated the new life she was carrying. However, their joy quickly turned to mourning. At her 21-week scan, the doctors gave Ava devastating news: Her baby girl was not developing kidneys and had almost no amniotic fluid. Living in Texas, Ava was presented with two options: she could travel to another state for an abortion, or she could continue her pregnancy, with the doctors treating her baby as if she were healthy.

Even at just 17 years old, Ava had a deep conviction about the value of preborn Life. Her inspiring explanation of why she chose not to end her little girl’s life beautifully highlights the personhood of baby Sophie—a perspective that is not shared often enough. After the appointment, Ava told her parents, “This might be crazy because I know she’s not going to survive anyway, but I only have so much time left with her. Why should I cut it any shorter? She’s safe in my womb… I’ve seen what an abortion looks like… I don’t think I could bear to have her ripped piece by piece out of my womb and shorten the life that is already so short, take her away from a spot where God has placed her in my hands, in my womb, where she’s safe and she’s warm. Where she only knows love and she doesn’t know pain. Why would I give her such a painful death, when she’s perfectly fine with me?” …

[Ava] gave birth in an emergency C-section to her precious daughter Sophie. With worship music in the background, she met her daughter face to face. “I was able to stay awake for 30 minutes holding her,” before Ava was put under full anesthesia due to some complications. Then, Ava’s mother held Sophie until she passed away less than an hour later.

“Sophie may have not been here for my whole life. But I got to be here for hers. She only ever knew my love, was held and cared for by my mom and very kind nurses, and then went to be with our God and my Grandma Sandy. The best babysitters anyone could ask for. I like to think she was simply too perfect for this world.”

Editor’s Note, by WVFL Program Director Alicia Martin:

Unfortunately, when the baby’s condition is deemed “incompatible with life” in early pregnancy, this is one of the rare exceptions when abortion is allowed in West Virginia.  This is one of the reasons that The Women’s Right to Know Act is so important in the upcoming session.  The bill covers several important scenarios, including when parents are faced with a life-threatening diagnosis.  In such a circumstance, families should be told about the option of support groups and perinatal hospice, which help bring healing and closure after a child’s death.  This life-valuing choice stands in stark contrast to the strong tendency to abort such children – which causes the family additional trauma, and handicaps healing closure.  

Will you please sign the petition at https://www.wvforlife.org/womens-right-to-know-act/ in support of this important legislation?

Thank you for your support of West Virginians for Life!  You enable us to share testimonies such as Ava’s, and educate women, so that they know all their options before they are deceived into believing that abortion is the best choice.

And While You’re There…
 

One of the ways that you can support West Virginia for Life is by attending and/or sponsoring the Rose Dinner.  After you sign the petition on the WVFL website, you can go to Events, and find the 27th Annual Rose Dinner.

The keynote speaker for year’s Dinner is Rachel Campos-Duffy.  You may know her as a host on Fox and Friends.  What you may not know is that one of her nine children has Down Syndrome, and she is a passionate pro-life advocate.  Her husband, former Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.), has been tapped by President-elect Trump to serve as Transportation Secretary.

Based on sponsorship level, various numbers of tickets are available for the pre-Dinner VIP Reception, where attendees will be able to have their photograph professionally taken with Rachel. 

Prior to February 1st, Bronze and higher sponsors also have the option of becoming HOST Sponsors.  In addition to the standard perks for their sponsorship level, Host Sponsors will enjoy the privilege of being listed on the invitations for the event.  To become a Host Sponsor, click on the link below, and look for the “Host Sponsor Commitment Form.”  If you are not able to be a Host Sponsor, you can still help by sharing the opportunity with businesses, church congregations, and others.

Click here to visit the 27th Annual Rose Dinner events page.  Scroll down to find links for Tickets and Sponsorships.
https://www.wvforlife.org/event/27th-annual-rose-dinner-2/