Dear Becky — On February 26th, 2006 I was in a really bad car accident. I was life-flighted to Childrens Hospital where I stayed for 2 1/2 weeks. I lost mobility in my left arm. I can only move my fingers and wrist. After almost 3 months of physical therapy, my doctor decided to try surgery. On May 30th, 2006, I went back to Children’s Hospital. They did many tests on me and…
On February 26th, 2006 I was in a really bad car accident. I was life-flighted to Children’s Hospital where I stayed for 2 1/2 weeks. I lost mobility in my left arm. I can only move my fingers and wrist. After almost 3 months of Physical therapy, my doctor decided to try surgery. On May 30th, 2006, I went back to Children’s Hospital. They did many tests on me. The last test was the pee test. They came back and told me they dropped my pee and i had to pee again. So I did. About 45min later, they came back and took everyone but me out of the room. I thought they had to do some personal questioning or something. Then the doctor says, “Alyssa, with this surgery we were hoping to get you to at least be able to move your hand to your mouth. There is an 85% chance that your arm movement will come back.” I just sat there, wondering where this was going. “Sadly, we cant do the surgery today. You’re pregnant.” I flipped out. I said, “Shut up! Im 16 years old! Im not ready to be a mom!” Then they asked me who I wanted to talk to first, my mom or my boyfriend.
Well, my boyfriend came in first obviously and by the time we were done talking, my mom already had a “maternal instinct” of what was going on. Then, before we left, the doctor came out again, “We can TRY the surgery when the baby’s born if you choose to keep it, but the nerves are probably going to be dead and instead of an 85% chance of it working, theres an 85% chance of it not working.” So I had to choose — move my arm again and keep my child, or kill an innocent child and move my arm?
Well, needless to say, I kept my child.
Dominick Alejandro Gerard will be born on January 22nd, 2007. Me and the dad are still together and are going to get a place when my settlement check from the accident comes in. Even though I may not ever get to move my arm again, I’ll have a beautiful baby boy instead. What more could I ask for?
Alyssa | 
Dearest Alyssa – my name is Lisa and I am from StandUpGirl.
I have to tell you that I am sitting here at my desk in tears, grasping my heart with both hands as I read your story! Alyssa – if there ever was a Stand Up Girl … it is definitely you! I am going to pray that the Lord would bless you with full use of your arm again. I believe because of your selfless attitude and you gave so much… that you will be blessed beyond what words can say. Blessed because that little life that you have in your arms is going to be the greatest reward you could ever imagine!
I am so so so proud of you! Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I know that your life will be a happy one with your wonderful little baby. Thank you for sharing.
Take care Alyssa.
Luv Lisa | 
