Baby Bowen’s parents chose life, despite a serious defect

Matt Hammit is the lead singer for Grammy-nominated Sanctus Real, a popular Christian band with multiple number-one hits. In September of 2010, Matt’s wife Sarah gave birth to their very first son, Bowen Matthew Hammit. The Hammit family tells the story of how they chose life in their own words:

Matt and Sarah Hammit hold Bowen in the hospital as he fights for his life.

Despite brave little Bowen’s medical problems, he has thrived since his parents chose life. Bowen’s Heart is the Hammits’ blog, where they post updates, prayer requests, photos, and more. Babies diagnosed with HLHS usually need to undergo three separate surgeries, and Bowen is reportedly scheduled to have his last surgery at the age of two or three. While this little man still has a ways to go, his dad recently shared that Bowen’s latest surgery (in April) went “exactly as we hoped for.”

While great advances in medical science have enabled the majority of babies with HLHS to live, not all are guaranteed a long life. Some are stillborn. Others die within the first five years. And many are aborted by their parents. In some European countries, the rate of termination exceeds 70%. Sadly, a medical site, Medscape Today News, calls abortion a “treatment” for HLHS:

While it’s understandable when parents want to prevent their children from pain and suffering, this is not a valid reason to kill them. A diagnosis of HLHS is not a certain death sentence, but abortion is. Illnesses or potentially shorter life spans are not treated by the choice of death. One of the main problems parents must contend with is medical professionals who make them feel that abortion is the best option, despite the chances of life for a child with HLHS.

A mom who aborted her baby with HLHS shares the perspective her cardiologist gave her that led her to reject a choice for life:

Instead of giving hope to a parent, scrambling to hold on after a diagnosis of HLHS for their child, why do some doctors prefer to talk only about the tragic cases? Clearly, babies like Bowen Hammit can thrive and experience life for years. Modernly, almost every child with HLHS can survive and many can thrive with the right treatment. How sad that some doctors find the need to basically predict only death, pain, and suffering, instead of encouraging a choice for life.

There are many stories from parents of babies with HLHS who chose life. One of my favorites was from this mom who chose life:

Another mom, whose daughter Chloe died days after birth because of complications, shares her brave story:

Andre’s mom told of her son who lived with HLHS for fifteen wonderful years — even before the modern medical advances that allow almost every child with HLHS to live. No matter the cost, this mom chose life for her son:

Matt and Sarah Hammit, along with many parents of babies with HLHS, have made the brave choice and chose life for their child, no matter what it costs them. Life is the choice that parents make. They chose life: to give their son a chance to thrive and to make sure that he knows the power of love every day. Just before Bowen was born, Matt wrote Sanctus Real’s song, “All of Me.” This song was written about Bowen, and is one of the most touching songs I have ever heard. Pull out your Kleenex box and hear the story from Matt himself.

“All of Me” can be found on Matt’s newest album, Every Falling Tear. According to Today’s Christian Music:

Editor’s Note: This article was first published in May of 2012 on Live Action News. It has recently been updated and republished.