by Rick and Karen Santorum
Published at Thomas Nelson
About the book
Rick and Karen Santorum share the inspiring story of life with their special-needs youngest child.
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.
My Thoughts
There is one thing I need to tell you about this book – be prepare to be moved by the story of Bella and her family. The main reason I have requested this book is because I want to lent it to my sister-in-law who raise a special need son – my nephew. I just know that she would love to read this book. I read it because of my nephew as well as for learning more about what it means to raise a child with a trisomy.
I will admit that I have poured tears while reading this book and was appalled at the reaction of some doctors who came in contact with Bella. I find that she is a very brave little girl and that it take tremendous courage for parents of special need kids to fight for their children when things are not always looking positive. The book gives you the perspective of Karen and Rick on different chapters. Sometimes they write about the same event and how each of them reacted on it. The book also contains photos from the life of Bella so far which personalize the book even more. Bella seems to be thriving nowadays and should be 7 years old this year.
The book will give you a very good perspective of life with a special need child as well as encourage you to see these people as gift from above. The Santorum’s story is definitively a priceless story to read that I think every one should take the time to discover.
Bella’s Gift is available at your favourite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.
The book is also available for the Kindle and Kindle app.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
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