On May 13, 2008, the Santorum family welcomed their seventh child into the world. Isabella Maria was born with a rare genetic condition called Trisomy 18, or Edward’s Syndrome. Only 10 percent of children with Trisomy 18 are born alive, and 90 percent of those children do not make it to their first birthday. Faced with these bleak statistics, doctors told the family to prepare for Bella’s death. Instead, they chose to celebrate her life.
Over the next five miraculous years, the Santorum family adjusted to life with a special needs girl—and watched her transform the lives of everyone around her. In many days of sickness and joy, she became an inspiration to her community and, ultimately, to the nation. Bella’s Gift details the peaks and valleys, the joys and sufferings, and the incredible value of life with a special needs child. In a world that often measures worth according to usefulness, Bella’s story is a reminder that our real value lies in our capacity to love.
Rarely does a book touch me the way this book did. Their blatant honesty about their struggles of coming to terms with Bella's diagnosis, coupled with the hope they have in Jesus Christ, just simply made this book a joy to read. The reoccurring theme throughout the book was that one's value is in his or her capacity to love. This is so evident in Bella's life and all who know her!
Comments
"The reoccurring theme throughout the book was that one's value is in his or her capacity to love." Wow. Just.... Wow!! I may have to read this book!! Thanks for reviewing it, Friend!! ;)
Love you later, Raelyn