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The Hand from Georgia that Touched the World
Alex and Julie, like many expecting couples, were going in for their scheduled pre-natal check up when their doctor’s words turned their lives upside down. The doctor informed this young couple that their baby had spina bifida, a sometimes fatal and typically severe brain and spinal cord anomaly, resulting from the spine failing to close properly during the first month of pregnancy.
Alex states in the NRL News, “Our view was that after three years of trying to conceive, this was the baby God chose to give us. Julie and I are both Christians. Scripture is clear on the sanctity of life in the womb, so ending the pregnancy was never an option for us.”
So after hearing the diagnosis of their son, Julie, an obstetrics nurse, discovered in utero surgery for spina bifida at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
After much prayer and intensive consultations, Alex and Julie decided to have surgery on 21-week-old Samuel, and invited USA Today to photograph the event in order to raise awareness for the risky surgery.
Michael Clancy, the USA Today photographer assigned to the shoot, tells his story in the Senate hearings: “The tension could be felt in the operating room as the surgery began. The procedure would take place within the uterus, and no part of the child was to breach the surgical opening. The entire surgical procedure on the child was completed in one hour and 13 minutes. When it was over the surgical team breathed a sigh of relief, as did I.”
“As a doctor asked me what speed film I was using, out of the corner of my eye I saw the uterus shake, but no one’s hands were near it. It was shaking from within. Suddenly, an entire arm thrust out of the opening and then pulled back until just a little hand was showing.”
“The doctor reached over and lifted the hand, which reacted and squeezed the doctor’s finger. As if testing for strength, the doctor shook the tiny fist. Samuel held firm. I took the picture. Wow!”
Samuel’s surgery was successful. When he was born, 15 weeks later, the disease had reversed.
“The combined trials of infertility followed by Samuel’s spina bifida and fetal surgery made for a roller coaster ride that dramatically matured our marriage and each of us individually,” Alex told NRL News. “We’ve experienced God’s hand at work in two ways. First, Samuel clearly benefited from the surgery, and we’re thankful for his progress in the absence of many problems that typically accompany children with spina bifida.”
“Second, we’re humbled by God’s use of the hand-photo as a ministry. The article and photo were shown all over the world and have been used extensively by pro-life and Christian organizations to illustrate life inside the womb.”
Sen. Brownback states after the Senate hearings, “There is little debate about whether the child in utero is alive; the debate is over whether or not the child is a life worthy of protection.” Samuel’s story, and other scientific technological advances, is causing many to reconsider this question.
We are excited to announce that Julie and Samuel, who is now a healthy four-year-old, will be attending the Choose Life Convention 2004. Meet little Samuel and Julie as they give their personal testimony about this miracle that changed the world! Please do not miss this exciting testimonial of the “hand that touched the world.”
-Facts derived from: Imbody, Jonathan. NRL News. 31 October 2003.
-To view his picture, visit Michael Clancy’s website: www.michaelclancy.com
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