Issues

Doctors advised abortion because of chicken pox, their daughter is thankful they choose life

Jennifer Karcher is a beautiful, caring 23-year-old who is alive today because her parents refused to take their doctor’s advice to abort her. I talked with Jennifer and got her powerful story of survival.

1) Tell me about the time your parents were pressured to consider abortion.

I’m the oldest child, I have a younger brother, Ethan who is four years younger than I am. When my parents found out they were pregnant with me, they were crazy excited, considering I was their first child.
During the pregnancy my mom came down with a severe case of the chicken pox.  The chicken pox were inside her lungs, spine, blood vessels and they could have spread to her brain. My parents weren’t sure what do to at the time, so they naturally went to the doctor.
The doctor advised my mom to have an abortion, considering there are so many complications with chicken pox during pregnancy; the chance of either one of us surviving the birth was next to nothing in the doctor’s eyes.
My parents left the doctors office being told to “try again.” Doctors told her it’s not worth having the baby due to what could happen.  Looking at abortion head on, my parents did not feel that was the right way to deal with their circumstance.
Jenny is grateful her mom gave her life.

Jenny is grateful her mom gave her life.

2) How did your parents make the decision to continue their pregnancy?

My parents went to their pastor at the time and asked what to do, given the circumstance of possibly aborting me. The pastor told my mom and dad you can trust God’s plan for nine months, or you can fear for nine months and risk an amazing life that God has picked to give you.

They trusted God with the pregnancy and chose not to fear the possibilities, they leaned into His truth and trusted that my life would be a healthy one…which it has!

Jenny and her dad

Jenny and her loving dad

3) How did you feel when you found out you could have been aborted?

I remember finding out that I was supposed to be aborted in middle school, but it didn’t hit me until I was in college. I grew up living what you call a “normal life.”  I had friends almost anywhere I went, I was involved with sports, had good grades, worked during high school/college, life as I knew it was good.

I didn’t realize the impact of my life until I was in college when I was asked to share my life story. I saw God’s hand in my life before I was even a thought, and He used my parent’s faith to allow my life to happen. Because they believe in His truth, they decided to have me.

If my parents did not have their faith rooted in Jesus Christ, I most likely would not be here to tell the story. I am so thankful for His power to save and bring life to people all around the world.  I feel that my life is a miracle, and it shows that anything is possible when God is on your side (which He always is, even if you can’t see it). Til this day, I find it insane how God wanted me here for a very specific purpose, and I am so thankful that I get to tell the story firsthand.

4) Why are you pro-life?

I feel that God has a specific plan for every person that He creates, which happens before the child is born. I am for every child having a chance at this thing we call life.  I cannot say it enough, but God has purpose for life for every single person on this planet and having the chance to live is a gift in itself.

5) Where are you at now in life?

I graduated high school, went on to graduate college from Winona State University in Minnesota with a double major in Business Administration and Human Resources.  I currently live in Colorado Springs and am attending Revoultion5, a Christian leadership training school for nine months.
Jennifer's graduation day

Jennifer’s graduation day

Jennifer told me she is  forever grateful for God’s love, the abundant joy she has in Him,  a healthy life, and her friends and family.

Jennifer's family wouldn't be complete without her.

Jennifer’s family wouldn’t be complete without her.

I am thankful Jennifer’s parents refused to abort her. Her life is a gift to this world. I know she’s making it a better place.

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