Inspirational People

Nick Vujicic

Nick Vujicic’s attitude of turning the obstacle of no limbs into an opportunity to reach out to the world with hope and encouragement is inspiring. He shows that we can find joy, purpose, and meaning in life when we shift our focus from what we don’t have to instead on what we can give to others. So it is with an unplanned pregnancy—there is no doubting its difficulty, but the girl (or couple, or family) in that situation can find joy, purpose, and meaning in life when they look beyond themselves to the needs of the pre-born child. Just as Nick is in a unique position to encourage those who suffer because of his own suffering, the pregnant girl is in a unique position to love and care for the pre-born child because of her own pregnancy—she can help that child in a way no one else can.

Vujicic commented on a tendency that humans fall prey to: “And you keep on concentrating on the things you wish you had or the things that you wish you didn’t have and you sort of forget what you do have.” With an unplanned pregnancy, the temptation is to focus on the pregnancy one wishes she didn’t have, but what she does have is a beautiful child of inestimable worth growing within her to love and be loved by her.

Alice Paul

Alice Paul risked much in her fight for equality for women. She endured jail, forced-feedings, and being ostracized. But it was worth it—she succeeded in politically ensuring women had the right to vote. Paul’s efforts weren’t just for a period of time—they were life-long. In fact, when asked about devoting her whole life to this great cause she recalled her mother’s advice: “When you put your hand to the plow, you can't put it down until you get to the end of the row.”

Five years before she died, Paul said the following in an interview: “I never doubted that equal rights was the right direction. Most reforms, most problems are complicated. But to me there is nothing complicated about ordinary equality.”

In the same way, there is nothing complicated about the right to life. It is the basic of all rights—for we must have our lives in order to exercise any other rights.

Just as Paul risked much for that cause, we should be willing to risk much for the pro-life cause. It is worth considering that the very people Paul was defending were people who could participate in making their defense. In contrast to the pro-life cause, the pre-born aren’t capable of making their case, so we must do it for them.

Immaculee Ilibagiza

As a survivor of genocide, Immaculee Ilibagiza recognizes her responsibility to bear witness to what happened and try to prevent future atrocities. Anyone born after the legalization of abortion is also a survivor—of abortion—because they were in-utero at a time when they had no legal protections and when many of their peers were killed. From this knowledge comes a responsibility to bear witness to abortion, and to spare other generations from what our peers endured.

Ilibagiza’s message of forgiveness is also relevant to abortion as so many carry guilt from involvement with abortion. They too can be forgiven. Ilibagiza admits that extending forgiveness to aggressors was not easy but as is the case with abortion—doing what’s right often isn’t easy.

Irena Sendler

As a social worker in Poland during WWII, Irena Sendler was on the front lines of human rights violations. And in the face of this injustice, she chose to use her position and skills to fight it. Saving children from death came with a personal cost—risking her comfort and her life. She was willing to risk for the sake of others. What are we willing to risk for the sake of the other, the sake of pre-born children? The risks to us that come with being a voice for the pre-born are nothing compared to the risks Sendler faced. Are we willing to follow in her footsteps and do what we can to preserve lives?

Michael Oher & The Tuohy Family

Michael Oher faced much hardship in his childhood. In fact, some might argue that those circumstances justified abortion. But our response to a person’s hardship should be to alleviate the suffering not eliminate the sufferer. The Tuohy family recognized this. When they saw Oher in need, they sought to kill the problem, not the person. They stepped out of their comfort zone, welcoming a stranger into their home and family.

To what extent are we willing to step out of our comfort zone for the pre-born and for pregnant women? How can we strive to make their circumstances better instead of eliminating them from existence?

Oher’s life shows that no matter where we’ve come from, we can determine where we go to. He worked hard in his academics so that he could eventually develop his sports skills. It wasn’t easy, but in the end, doing what was difficult was worth it. So it is with unplanned pregnancies—it’s going to be difficult to carry through, but in the end it will be worth it. Where there is life, there is hope.

Patrick Henry & Patrick John Hughes

Had Patrick’s physical disabilities been detected on ultrasound, many would have suggested he be aborted. It is a tragedy when people conclude difficult circumstances warrant ending another’s life. But Patrick Henry’s father shows us another way—he shows us a love that is self-sacrificing, a love that involves pouring out oneself for the other. And that makes for not just two happy people, but a world of people profoundly touched by this father-son duo. When prenatal diagnosis indicates the child has problems, we should live the love of Patrick John Hughes and embrace that life, looking for creative—not deadly—solutions to unexpected challenges.