We have lost a beautiful soul; Peter Kellett

Mary Kellett is the mother of 6 and one half -year-old Peter who passed into eternal life last Saturday, August 19. She wrote the story of his beautiful life for "A Special Mother is Born".
 Peter had trisomy 18 and lived a relatively long life for that condition, thanks to his mother's loving care. She also was inspired to start the apostolate, "Prenatal Partners for Life" to help other mothers whose unborn child is diagnosed with a disability.
I contributed to Mary's site and distributed her pamphlets for years. In 2009, I was finally honored to attend Mass with her and participate in "Healthcare for Gunner" to protest Obamacare September 15th. She is a holy woman and our hearts break with her as she and her family suffer the loss of their beloved Peter.
Eternal rest, grant on to him, and may perpetual light shine upon him!
Here is Mary's message to those who know her.

Dear Prayer Partners,

I have a special request for prayers for my family, especially my children and grandchildren. Our precious son Peter went home to heaven on Saturday August 20th at the age of 6 1/2. The gift and blessing of this little boy can not even be put into words. Peter brought so much joy and love to our family and our hearts are broken and sad. We know he is with our Lord Jesus and our Blessed Mother and this brings us great joy amidst our tears. We trust in God and praise Him for the gift of this sweet child and will continue to praise Him in all things. Please pray God's healing love will give us the grace needed in the difficult days ahead. Thank you for always praying for these precious ones and please keep all families who are blessed with a child who has special needs in your prayers. These little ones are truly "Teachers of our Souls." 

May our Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven wrap all of you in Her Heart and lead to Her Son, Our Beloved Lord Jesus. 

 Thank you,
 Mary and Family

Review by Patrice Fagnant McArthur: Why the World Needs Special Kids

How many times have you heard an expectant mom say, “I don’t care if it is a boy or a girl, as long as the baby is healthy?” But what happens when the baby isn’t healthy? How does one’s world change when a child is diagnosed with major health issues, either before or soon after birth? Is it worth having a child diagnosed with severe special needs in utero if he won’t live long or will have a poor quality of life?

For the contributors to A Special Mother is Born, edited by Leticia Velasquez, the answer to that last question is a resounding “yes.” As a result of her daughter Christina being born with Down Syndrome, Velasquez has become a pro-life crusader, determined to change the statistic that 90 % of children with Down Syndrome are killed via abortion. The parents who share their stories in this book want to educate others about the value and joy of special needs children.

In his inaugural address, Pope Benedict XVI stated that “Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.” The children profiled in A Special Mother is Born have Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18, autism, brain abnormalities, epilepsy, deafness, blindness, and other challenges. Yet, they have touched the lives of their families and the world around them immeasurably. Some of the children died at very young ages – their parents speak of them as saints in heaven. These are children who never sinned. They are with God interceding for their family members. As Colleen McGuire writes of her daughter Rita who died of Trisomy 18 soon after birth, “I don’t regret one moment of her life. My daughter lived a novena: nine days of love.”

These parents acknowledge the suffering and difficulties involved in raising a special needs child. No parent ever wants to see their child suffer or struggle through life. Yet, the experience has brought them to greater trust in God. Diane Grover writes, “We realized we must surrender it all to God; we must humbly hand it all over to Him. He created this child for His purpose. He created this child for His plans. Whatever comes will happen in His time and in His way.”

Lisa Barker has learned to endure great suffering watching her daughter die. “I’d like to write that everything is going to be okay. It will be, but there is suffering to embrace that I cannot run from. Without Jesus’ life, example and presence, it is impossible to do. But with Him, it can be done, and there can be a sense of peace and joy even in the midst of sorrow.”

Most often, it is fear of the unknown that causes women to abort their special-needs children. Eileen Haupt states, “If only a mother expecting a special needs child could know who her child really is. If only she could feel the joy and the love that she will feel for her baby if she welcomes her into the world. If only she knew how many hearts would be changed by her special baby’s presence. If only she knew, she would never abort.”

There is currently a war going on against special needs children. While those with Down Syndrome have been the primary targets to date due to pre-natal testing, it is only a matter of time before other abnormalities are also targeted. While there are certainly exceptions, the majority of doctors are far too quick to suggest abortion when something is wrong with the baby. They fail to see the blessings and lessons that these children can bring to the world. They fail to acknowledge the inherent worth of every person created by God. We must fight for life for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Grab a box of tissues and read A Special Mother is Born. Whether you are the parent of a special needs child or not, these stories will open your eyes and your heart and help you to appreciate the value of every child God sends to this world.

A Special Mother is Born will be available soon from WestBow Press.

Review by author Theresa Thomas

 

A Special Mother is Born by Leticia Velasquez is an amazing and moving book for and about “special mothers”, ordinary women called to live to their fullest potential by parenting children with special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, Trisonomy 18 and aspergers. The book contains touching personal accounts (and pictures!) of families chosen by God to raise children with developmental disabilities and other special needs. Each story, by a different contributor, is an honest look at challenges faced by these families. Each story shares one mother’s fears, hopes, challenges, joys and eventual strong faith.  The stories are riveting, inspirational and … beautiful.

Each story has its own mesmerizing beginning. One contributor, Lisa Barker, begins “Boo was born with silvery hair and appeared as if she’d just been whisked away from the fairies.” I was drawn into this description of Lisa’s daughter Rebecca and quickly read and turned page after page,  devouring the account of little Boo’s  life and of  her mother’s wisdom and unique perspective interspersed throughout the pages.

Another personal account in the book begins, “Miracles do happen. They just don’t always look the way we think they’re supposed to look.” And I can assure you, after reading this particular story,  this was a truly a story of miracles!

Time and time again, the blessings of raising special needs children are revealed. The reader gets a rare peek into the personal thoughts of mothers who are engaged in the challenging but rewarding l task of loving and raising a child who is labeled “different” . “I can do all things in Christ Who Strengthens me”  (Philippians 4:13) is a recurring theme of the book and anyone who needs a dose of hope will find it in the pages of A Special Mother is Born.

After these moving testimonies of life, author Leticia offers a well -documented short history of the eugenics movement, and how America has come to reject those persons deemed less than perfect.  The history is concise, clear and just the right length for the reader to understand and commit to memory for use, perhaps, in later discussions with others.

Next comes an account of Leticia’s debut into the public world and work of speaking up for disabled children and  encouraging others to embrace a pro-life view as she became an activist promoting life on Capitol Hill.  Her moving speech given in Washington, D.C.is reproduced in the book.

One of the most practical and valuable parts of the book is the appendix of pro-life resources for special needs parenting, making A Special Mother is Born  a real help for families facing challenges of a special needs diagnosis.

Many hearts will be touched by this beautiful book. I recommend it wholeheartedly!

Endorsement by disabilities advocate Ched Salasek

“A Special Mother is Born is a remarkable and joy-filled collection of inspirational families and their special needs children. The world has declared war on these children because they considered them a burden.  However, Leticia Velasquez shows the world (through the many touching real-life stories from modern-day warriors within the Church Militant) that love always conquers.  This book is an incredible motivational tool that brings about the essence and sanctity of life.”

Ched Salasek, father of six, one of whom has Spina Bifida, and Family Advisor at the ADHS Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs.

Endorsement by Sister Marie-Andre Wilson SCMC

Leticia Velasquez is a devoted and courageous mother, one of the rare breed who nurture their less-than-perfectly-predicted children and receive far more than could ever be expected in joyous reward. By publicizing her own family’s treasure, she inspires others to embrace the fragile lives that will enrich their own.

Sister Marie-André Wilson, SCMC, Teens of Pro-Life Club, Academy of the Holy Family, Baltic, CT     

Endorsement by contributing authorTamara Mussella

Thank you for letting me be a part of such an incredibly special family that was brought together by the tremendous love of our children.

May all of these families be continually blessed by God in all ways! 

Tamara Musella, contributor to “A Special Mother is Born”

Endorsement by author Christine Capolino

Leticia Velasquez is a devoted and courageous mother, one of the rare breed who nurture their less-than-perfectly-predicted children and receive far more than could ever be expected in joyous reward. By publicizing her own family’s treasure, she inspires others to embrace the fragile lives that will enrich their own.

Sister Marie-André Wilson, SCMC, Teens of Pro-Life Club, Academy of the Holy Family, Baltic, CT     

“A Special Mother is Born is a remarkable and joy-filled collection of inspirational families and their special needs children. The world has declared war on these children because they considered them a burden.  However, Leticia Velasquez shows the world (through the many touching real-life stories from modern-day warriors within the Church Militant) that love always conquers.  This book is an incredible motivational tool that brings about the essence and sanctity of life.”

Ched Salasek, father of six, one of whom has Spina Bifida, and Family Advisor at the ADHS Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs.

In addition to beautiful and heartfelt accounts by Mothers of children with a variety of special needs and sincere accounts of their increased faith through their families' journeys, readers will be blessed by a wealth of information for all ages on related topics. Leticia Velasquez's collaborative gem, A Special Mother is Born, should have a place of honor on the shelves of ALL parents. 

Christine Capolino, homeschooling Mom, writer, columnist for Mater et Magistra Magazine and Catholic Mom.com.