TWO VERY SPECIAL MINUTES....

I just learned that today is PREGNANCY and INFANT LOSS REMEMBRANCE DAY. I found this out after reading about a very incredible baby boy from one of my fabulous new blog friends, Traci, at ORDINARY INSPIRATIONS.

This baby's parents desperately need our help. You see, last November, Joseph and Danielle Finchum learned they were expecting their third child. Like most parents, they were totally elated! At Danielle's 18 week ultrasound, she and Joseph learned not only that they were expecting a baby boy but that their son had a disease called Thanatophoric dysplasia, a lethal form of dwarfism. They were told he would have only a 30% chance of making it to full term and, in the unlikely event he made it that far, he would surely die within the first 24 hours of birth. Joseph and Danielle were advised it would be best to terminate the pregnancy. However, that was never an option for them. They were determined to give their precious son every chance he deserved. They decided to leave it in the Father's hands. You can read more of the Finchum's story here: LETTING GO and LETTING GOD.

Just 4 weeks shy of her due date, Danielle's water broke and on June 1, 2009, little Wyatt Nathaniel Finchum was born at 10:03 am. He had a faint heartbeat and was breathing, which was a miracle, as doctors advised them that they would probably never see him alive. He died 2 short minutes later. However, due to Tennessee's definition of a live birth, Danielle's doctor was not able to medically acknowledge Wyatt's life. He was listed as a stillborn.

Danielle won't deny the fact that her son was dying as soon as he was born, but he did live! He fought with all his might to breathe for those two minutes and his life deserves to be acknowledged as such. A Life. Danielle would like to get Tennessee's definition of live birth amended to a more acceptable definition that recognizes life no matter how short it may be.

This is where YOU come in! Danielle has started a petition and is trying to get 1,000 signatures. Will you PLEASE take a moment to go and sign the petition if you agree that the definition of 'live birth' should be changed? You DO NOT have to live in Tennessee to sign the petition.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN PETITION

Also, if this subject is something that is near and dear to your heart, would you please consider blogging about it, too, so we can spread the word even more? There is no reason another family should have to endure what the Finchum family has. If you will blog about it, please let me know. Traci at Ordinary Inspirations is doing a link party of sorts to help get as many signatures on this petition as possible. Let's all do what we can to reach the 1,000 signature goal!

Last but certainly not least, will you please commit to praying for this family and all the other families who have lost a child or more than one child? There are SO many out there, some who are my very own family members and best friends. Will you join me in saying a prayer for them today and in the days ahead?

Thank you so very much!

UPDATE: Per Wyatt's mom, it is NOT too late to sign the petition. She had an original goal of 1,000 signatures, which we HAVE surpassed! Praise the Lord! However, this is what Danielle said about that:

"I would like to clarify that just because we've reached our goal doesn't mean I want to back off. Inevitably, the more signatures we get, the more eyebrows we're going to raise. And I want to raise a lot of eyebrows, don't you? I just figured 1,000 signatures was what I would need to even begin to be taken seriously."

So, PLEASE, keep signing away and please ask your friends to sign, too! Thanks so much!