** Due to the increasing severity of MY ILLNESS, it has become impossible for me to continue to post on a regular basis. Unfortunately, as much as I desperately long to, I am also unable to visit each of your blogs often or reciprocate all the loving, supportive comments many of you continue to leave - even though at times it may appear as though you've arrived at some long ago, forsaken blog! With that said, I really want you to know that I miss every single one of you and that I really am still here! I'm just too sick and too weak most days to be able to sit up long enough to create a brand new post...or even read one. However, I absolutely do receive AND read every new encouraging word you leave (and, often, the old ones, again and again!) and I cherish them now more than ever! I truly appreciate your love, support, and, most importantly, your precious time spent on your knees in prayer for my family and me. It ALL means the world to me and I am truly blessed to have friends like you!
~Hugs and Sister Love, Teresa

FYI: All comments come to my email, which I can easily read on my phone. I also enjoy Facebook on my phone because I can catch up on A LOT in a very short time there. Soooo, if you're on Facebook, come 'friend' me there! {{HUGS}} **

Thursday, October 15, 2009

TWO VERY SPECIAL MINUTES....

danielle, hubby, and Wyatt


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. AnItalicd 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!

25 comments:

Ter said...

omg, yes, of COURSE he lived! 2 seconds, 2 minutes... he lived!

my daughter died in the womb.... Oh, if I had 2 minutes... yes, definitely this little boy lived! I can't believe they would call it a stillbirth...

I'm signing the petition AND I'm going to check out her blog. I'm also going to pass along her story to others to also sign the petition!

Thank you so much for passing this along!

Traci Michele said...

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH SWEET FRIEND!

I hope you feel better tonight!

Love you,
Traci

Betty Manousos said...

Thnak you for passing it along.
Of course I'm signing the petition right now .
I send you a big hug.

Betty Manousos said...

I'm SO MOVED.
I've gone through this same bad experience. That it reminded me mine.

Jean said...

T,
Thanks s much for the inspirational stories but especially the one Two Very Special Minutes. I readily signed the petition after reading about the family's story.

I love you tons. Never forget you are in my daily prayers.

Anonymous said...

wow..great tribute teresa..

love you..

COUNTRY MOM said...

I posted about Wyatt on my blog the other day also. I pray the law will change.

I have enjoyed reading your blog. Have a great weekend... Many Blessings,

Betty Manousos said...

Thank you for passing by my blog.
I gladly follow your blog:)
Have a lovely weekend!
P.S.
Please come back soon!!!

Unknown said...

You are nothing short of amazing! Thanks for sharing...I am spreading the word

Danielle said...

Hello, this is Wyatt's mommy... I just wanted to thank you for posting about Wyatt and helping me get my sons life recognized :) IT means the world to me to have others speak out for my son.

JudyH329 said...

Such a wonderful tribute to Wyatt, a life recognized. You are such a sweet and understanding person. God Bless you! Let Him reach down and touch your soul. Take care.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you and heading over there. I've lost one that didn't have a chance to breathe. It is amazing the difference in just how people support your grief if there is a live birth.
Thanks Teresa!

Unknown said...

Signing. Wow, how could they call that a stillbirth. I am praying for the family.

Katy Montgomery said...

What a sweet, sad story. He did live and to have that denied on top of the struggle is pitiful. Who decided who could say what life is or is not? It seems so absurd that doctors do all they do and someone else can come in and deny life. He was alive. How hard is that to acknowledge? He lived long enough to receive APGARS, did he not? I tell you some things that seem so basic become such a big deal. I signed the petition!

~T~ said...

Amazing story. Thank you for sharing.
Visiting from SITS. Have a great day.
www.tuesdaysattonyas.blogspot.com

Traci Michele said...

http://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2009/10/he-refuses-to-blow-out-candles.html

I linked to you, wonderful friend... in my post today!

Thinking and praying for you! Love and Hugs,
Traci

Samantha said...

What a touching story. I am definitely going to sign the petition, and I hope that the definition in Tennessee is amended!

Patricia said...

what a touching story. Thank you for sharing it with me.

Wendy G said...

Thanks so much for posting her story, I'll definitely sign the petition. That the State doesn't recognize him as born alive is unbelievable. Hope you're feeling okay today Teresa!!!

Unknown said...

Off to sign the petition. Such a bittersweet story. Thank you for bringing it to our attention! Hope you are doing well, my blogger friend :)

Stephanie Faris said...

What an inspiring story. I live in Tennessee and although I don't have children and probably never will, this could affect people I care about someday. I'm off to sign it now.

Unknown said...

What a sad story :( Of course he lived! How could anybody deny them of that? Thank you for spreading the news!

Tabitha Blue said...

Wow, what an incredible and touching story. And yes, her son lived no matter how long it was!! I hope they are doing well now.

Deb said...

I signed the petition...or at least I tried.

Is there a way to verify?

Thank you for sharing.

Sweet dreams,
Deb

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