Save the Humans

every life is worth living
by Katherine Burke, Writing Intern, Human Life Alliance

A common argument of pro-choicers is that no child should be born into a world where they will live a life with suffering and hardships and little chance of success.  And certainly, no one would ever wish that a child be born into difficulties and sorrows, but no child is better off dead.  In the wake of the recent World Cup, this fact is illustrated well in the life of Brazil’s player, Thiago Silva. 

When Thiago’s mother, Angela, became pregnant with Thiago, she already had two children and didn’t believe she could afford to raise another.  Thankfully, Angela’s father convinced her to choose life for her baby. 

Thiago’s family was desperately poor at the time of his birth and lived in Rio de Janeiro, only 50 meters from an infamous shantytown.  He said that he could hear gunshots and the police were often around the dangerous area.  He thanked God when he arrived safely at home.  Thiago could have easily turned to a life of crime, but instead he chose to work hard and pursue his talent and passion to rise above the crime and poverty that surrounded him.

His early life was not easy.  At age 14, he contracted tuberculosis, which kept him in the hospital for 6 months.  “It was the greatest battle of my life,” he said. On his first try, he failed to get on the local Brazilian soccer team and instead joined a lesser team from the poorer areas.  But his determination, perseverance, and hard work paid off.  After being seen in Europe, he was signed to a Russian team and then the League 1 French team, Paris Saint-Germain.  Now he is a central defender for both Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team, both of which he captains.  And he earns a salary of $16 million every year.

Before he even had a chance to try out for a soccer team, before he ever kicked a soccer ball, before he survived tuberculosis and the many difficulties of his harsh childhood, his mother considered ending his life.  Imagine the ripple effect of Thiago’s life and how all of that may have never happened if his mother made a different decision.  If Angela had chosen to abort preborn Thiago, Brazil would not have this key inspirational player and role model on the team. 

It’s easy to look at Thiago’s inspiring story of determination and success and agree that he should not have been aborted.  But what about all the other children who won’t become world famous soccer stars and yet still deserve a chance at life?  We cannot forget their equally valuable lives.  Not everyone has a talent for soccer or will become world famous, most will not.  However, those lives are equally important and deserve love, attention, and compassion.  All the lives of preborn children have a purpose.  Some may become life-saving doctors, some may become teachers or mothers or fathers, and some may become your neighbor or your friend.  All will touch lives in ways we can never imagine. Who are we to determine the worth of another person's life?