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Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_11_24/GA_2411_E1_032.pdf
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Galway Advertiser
November 24 2005
NEWS
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FASHION
BEAUTY
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H E A LT H
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LIFE
MARY
When Gianna Jessen was born at 6am on April 6 1977 in California, there was little hope that she would survive. She weighed just two pounds. But she was determined to hang on. Her fighting spirit amazed her doctors and led to her being described later as a "modern day miracle". What set Gianna apart from other premature babies was that she survived an abortion. Her birth mother was 17-years-old and sevenand one-half months pregnant when she opted for a late term saline termination. "A saline abortion is a solution of salt saline that is injected into the mother's womb. The baby then gulps the solution, it burns the baby inside and out and then the mother is to deliver a dead baby within 24 hours. This happened to me!" However, Gianna defied all the odds and survived. "I am the person she aborted. I should be blind, burned.....I should be dead. And yet, I live. I was in the solution for approximately 18 hours and was delivered alive instead of dead. I was saved by the sheer power of Jesus Christ. "The abortionist was not in the clinic when I arrived. I am sure I would not be here today if he had been there as his job is to take life, not sustain it. I was early, my death was not expected to be seen until about 9am when he would probably be arriving for his office hours." Her biological mother and the other young girls in the clinic were stunned that she was born alive. "They were the first to greet me. I am told this was a hysterical moment. A nurse called an ambulance while the abortionist was not yet on duty and had me transferred to hospital." Gianna - who travels worldwide sharing her story - will speak tonight (Thursday) at 7pm at the O' hEocha Theatre, NUI Galway - remained there for almost three months where she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. It had been caused by a lack of oxygen during the abortion, she explains. "There was not much hope for me in the beginning. I weighed only two pounds. A doctor once said I had a great will to live and that I fought for my life."
O'CONNOR
any of those things. I have met other survivors of abortion. They are all thankful for life. "A baby is a baby when miscarriage takes place at two, three, four months. A baby is called a tissue or clumps of cells when an abortion takes place at two, three, four months. Why is that? I see no difference. All life is valuable. It is a gift from our creator. We must honour the right to life." She learned about the circumstances surrounding her birth when she was 12. Diana, her adoptive mother was preparing Christmas dinner when Gianna asked why did she have cerebral palsy. In the past, Diana explained it away by saying she had had a traumatic breath and was born prematurely. Now, she felt the time was right to tell her the truth. She explained that her biological mother was only 17 when she was born and may not have had much hope or money. Maybe she was under pressure from a boyfriend or someone else, she reasoned. Gianna, who visited Ireland when she was 12 and is delighted to be back here, instantly understood. She asked was she aborted. Afterwards, she remained thoughtful. When she spoke, she was her usual upbeat self. "Well, at least I have cerebral palsy for an interesting reason." She still had questions, however. She wanted to know why her mother did not want her, did she ever think of her and did she feel sorry for having the abortion. Years on, she has chosen not to meet her birth mother but says she has forgiven her. Her family are the people who adopted her, she says. The Nashville singer/songwriter, Abortion survivor Gianna Jessen considers herself lucky to be alive. marathon runner and internationally The late Mother Teresa said God appear on the Late Late Show next renowned speaker, who testified uses Gianna to remind the world that month, now tours the world telling her before the US Congress in favour of each human being is precious story and promoting pro-life values. pro-life legislation and who will
Surviving abortion
Foster homes
Eventually she left hospital and was placed in a series of foster homes. When she went to live with one foster mother, Penny, at 17 months, she connected with her. Penny was in her fifties and loved children. She was told that it was doubtful if Gianna would ever crawl or walk. At that stage, she could not sit up independently. Penny's daughter Diana de Paul grew increasingly fond of Gianna and decided to adopt her. The Social Services Department would not release her any earlier for adoption. "Through the prayers and dedication of my foster mother, and later many other people, I eventually learned to sit up, crawl, then stand. I walked with leg braces and a walker shortly before I turned age four." Gianna, now 28 and living in Tennesse, continued received therapy for her disability over the years. After four operations to relieve the stiffness in her legs, she now walks without assistance. "It is not always easy. Sometimes I fall but I have learned how to do it gracefully after doing it for so many years!" She considers herself lucky to be alive. "I almost died. Every day I thank God for my life. It has been a great gift. I do not consider myself a by-product of conception, a clump of tissue, or any other of the titles given to a child in the womb. I do not consider any person conceived to be
Competition
Fancy getting the low-down on all the latest trends from the international catwalks? Then head along to Glam Slam which kicks off at Brown Thomas today (Thursday) and runs until Sunday December 11.The theme of this beauty and fragrance event is Scarlet Fever and it will help you ring in the change of season in style. International make-up artist Bonnie Allen, who joined Elizabeth Arden in 2003 and has worked at London Fashion Week and more recently on the set of The Da Vinci Code'will be translating seasonal fashions into wearable make-up looks at BTs on December 9 and 10. The store's cosmetic hall will be transformed into a Hollywood mecca while top international makeup artists give makeovers and impart their much sought after knowledge to customers eager to learn from the experts. To celebrate Glam Slam Brown Thomas is offering 10 lucky Galway Advertiser readers the chance to win a Hollywood Glo facial lustre from Benefit. This product,which is inspired by legendary screenstar lovelies, gives a soft focus luminescence to the complexion. You can pat this rose bronze finishing touch facial glow on top of make-up and the light reflecting pigments will highlight your facial features and give a warm, delicate sheen. To be in with a chance to win one, simply answer the following question: Q. What is the theme of the beauty and fragrance event taking place at Brown Thomas? Send your answer, together with your name, address and telephone number to Glam Slam competition, Galway Advertiser, 41/42 Eyre Square, Galway by Thursday December 1.