My story, I am Benjamin, when I was born on January 30th 1984 my parents were on drugs (probably too many to know), were not financially stable, were not mentally, physically capable or willing to take on another child (my sister was born a year and a half before). Understand that if this is not enough… I know I am not a girl, but I wondered upon your sight while looking for statistics and was touched by Amanda’s story…

I wanted at least for you and her to hear this: my story

My story, I am Benjamin, when I was born on January 30th 1984 my parents were on drugs (probably too many to know), were not financially stable, were not mentally, physically capable or willing to take on another child (my sister was born a year and a half before). Understand that if this is not enough to validate most "pro-choice" people saying ok to abortion then I can continue.

I do not know if the correct tests were done or not, as I have never actually talked with my biological mother in person, but I know that this fact is true: If there is a disease, a sickness, a physical, mental or emotional problem anywhere in the books… I can confidently say I have been tested for or had such problem… or my blood-sister has.

Now this was with good reason because when I was born, I was underweight (can you believe it), I had one eye visibly smaller than the other, my lower jaw fit completely inside my upper jaw, I had extra-long seizures, the tests confirmed severe mental retardation and brain damage, and NO ONE… not a single doctor would say that I would live past the age of 2 y/o… IF I did, they said the miracle would be that I would be a "vegetable incapable of giving or receiving love."

To make matters slightly more complicated, my sister and I were being "cared" for by friends of my biological parents (not even the parents themselves) and they weren’t prepared to handle us either. Now, thankfully my family (uncles, aunts, grandma) came in and "stole" us from that house and took us to live with them.

When it became impossible for Granny H (my g-ma) to take care of my sister and I, she came into a church, and simply asked if anyone could take care of us for a little while.

My real parents were the pastors, and because of their love, they took us… when they grew attached and wanted to adopt, the family really didn’t have any objection but the doctors said "Take the girl, but you’d better not get attached to the other one". They were sure I would be dead in under 18 months anyway. My parents could not allow me to stay in that situation and just leave me to die, so they took me anyway.

Now after 18 ½ years, I graduated from a school ranked 14 among all High Schools in the nation and I grew into a full-sized, non-retarded Human being with nothing wrong that God can’t or hasn’t fixed.

Given the choices my biological mom faced, I would suspect even the most conservative of the border-line individuals would have said abortion was at least not a wrong option in my case. I COULDN’T DISAGREE MORE!!! My biological mom, K* (name changed), had actually tried to give herself an abortion 3 TIMES while pregnant, and God just wouldn’t let go. I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER!!!

I just want to say though, that even with all that has gone wrong, and all the bad decisions made by my biological family, I still know that I can forgive, and have, forgiven my biological parents for these things… somehow God has enabled me that great honor. Anyone who has had an abortion should know that God can and longs to forgive. He hates the sin… but He wants them to know that their babies are not angry with them. That bad decision should not be allowed to break-down their lives. The last thing any one of the babies would want, having almost been one, is for their mother to have her life ruined because of this mistake. Forgiveness is there, just take it.

Sincerely,

Benjamin

Benjamin | benjamin.boaz@teenmania.org

Dear Benjamin,

You are a beautiful gift to the world. You are a witness to the fact that all life is valuable, no matter what circumstances we are conceived in. Who are we to judge whether a person’s life is worth living or not?

The life of every human being is sacred.

You had a rough start in your life, but look at where it has gone. Look at all the pportunities that are opening up to you as your life unfolds. You have been through struggles in your life, yes, but you have also been allowed to experience the joys of life, too.

Your parents couldn’t take on the responsibility of raising you, but they did give you a chance at life. Your adoptive parents were so happy to open their home and their hearts to you and your sister. They took the risk of loving you, even though they weren’t sure you’d live for long. That is so inspiring to hear.

May God continue to bless you in your life and bring you to your fullest potential.

Luv,

Becky | dearbecky@standupgirl.com