Every life matters.
That’s the message former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and his wife, Karen, are sharing in their new book, “Bella’s Gift: How One Little Girl Transformed Our Family and Inspired a Nation.”
The Santorums’ youngest daughter, Bella, has Trisomy 18, a genetic disorder that is usually fatal. Bella has defied the odds, however. She is approaching her 7th birthday.
“(T)his book was really written for parents of kids with disabilities,” Karen Santorum told ABC News in a recent interview. “That’s why it’s so transparent. And — and it just — they inspire us. They’re amazing. You talk to each and every one of these parents, the message is that every person matters.”
Rick and Karen said they wrote chapters of the book separately, because they wanted to share both a father’s and mother’s perspective about the trials and joys of caring for a child with a disability.
The Santorums also discussed the pressure to abort that families often face when they learn about a preborn child’s diagnosis of a disability or fatal condition.
“(Bella’s) message is don’t look at her as a diagnosis,” Karen Santorum told ABC News. “Look at her and many other people like Bella, as a person. And don’t write them off just because of that diagnosis. Because, lethal language can lead to lethal outcomes.”
Bella Santorum’s life is an example of hope for many families facing a poor prenatal diagnosis. She is another beautiful example of why there’s always a reason to choose life!
