The Miracle of Life, Tori Brand

TORI BRAND, 7

NOT knowing if your child is going to live can be one of the scariest times in your entire life. Unfortunately, my Aunt Marti knows exactly how this situation feels like. In 2001 in Houston, Texas, when Marti was pregnant with her daughter Cayden, she was called in for extra testing. Marti was terrifi ed walking timidly through the dull hospital halls. The doctor called her in because Cayden had tested positive for a disorder called trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 is a disorder that severely affects many body parts. Cayden had a 25% chance of being born alive, and she had a 10% chance of surviving one year if born alive. The doctor said to abort Marti’s pregnancy, but she and her husband, Matt, refused. The doctor said it would be cruel and inhumane to continue the pregnancy. While at home, Marti couldn’t bring herself to eat or sleep because she was so scared. She cried out to God and asked for a scripture. God gave her Jeremiah 29:11, which is “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” Marti didn’t believe that it was from God since it was such a common verse. Her friend, Sami Carla, invited her to her church to be prayed over. When prayer time approached, the pastor’s wife put one hand on Marti’s stomach and the other hand on her head, and prayed Jeremiah 29:11. When she prayed this, Marti’s stomach trembled, and she had the realization that Cayden would be ok. At the next doctor appointment, during the ultrasound, the doctor saw absolutely nothing incorrect with Cayden. Cayden even smiled a big smile during the ultrasound. Three months later, Cayden, a beautiful baby girl, was born with not a trace of anything wrong. Peer pressure is never a good thing, especially if it will lead to life or death. If someone says to do something wrong, don’t do it. If Marti would have done what the doctor said, and aborted Cayden, I wouldn’t have the wonderful cousin that I have today. My entire family wouldn’t have some of the crazy and happy memories that we have today without Cayden. This story would have been a lot different if Marti would have given into peer pressure, but thank goodness she didn’t. This story also tells us to trust God no matter what. God will fi nd a way and turn bad things around, and this story is just proof.