Gianna Jessen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
Gianna Jessen
Gianna Jessen

Gianna Jessen (born April 6, 1977 in Los Angeles, California) is a Christian recording artist and pro-life activist.

When Gianna's biological mother was seven and a half months pregnant, she sought a instillation abortion -- a now-rare procedure normally not performed after six months of pregnancy.[1] Consequently, Gianna Jessen was born alive and premature, with severe damage that resulted in physical atrophy and cerebral palsy. Her biological parents, who were both 17, put her up for adoption, and she since has became a vocal advocate against abortion, speaking even to the British House of Commons. [2] She has also made some startling physical recovery, and entered a local marathon in 2005, and the London Marathon in 2006. [3]

A 1999 biography of her was written by Jessica Shaver. [4]

[edit] Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood controversy

On May 8, 2006, the Colorado State House of Representatives voted on a resolution honoring the 90th anniversary of a local branch of Planned Parenthood. Republican Representative Ted Harvey invited Gianna, whom he'd met as a singer, to sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" on this particular day, on the pretense of her being a cerebral palsy advocate.

Gianna was greeted by bipartisan applause for her singing and her inspiration as a cerebral palsy advocate. Attendees' reactions quickly turned to shock when Harvey admitted that this was a false pretense for his invitation. According to Harvey, his words were, "Members, today we are going to recognize the 90th anniversary of Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood ... I just wanted to put a face to what we are celebrating today." [5]

Jessen's own response was mixed; The Denver Post reports that Jessen "didn't expect it," but "was glad Harvey told her story." Later, when she was interviewed on the EWTN Channel's "Life on the Rock" programme, Jessen reiterated that she was pleased her story had been heard in the Senate.

Planned Parenthood expressed skepticism at the veracity of Gianna's tale, although they have since had to retract this accusation, as both Jessen's birth mother and the abortionist involved (Dr John Edwards) have confirmed it. The House Majority Leader noted that Harvey's actions were against the House's rules. [6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Abortion. The Facts of Life: Examining Reproductive Health. UIHC Medical Museum (2006-06-05). Retrieved on 2007-02-28.
  2. ^ Elliott, Jane (2005-12-06). 'I survived an abortion attempt'. BBC News. Retrieved on 2007-02-28.
  3. ^ Day, Elizabeth (2005-03-12). Gianna Jessen was aborted at 7½ months. She survived. Astonishingly, she has forgiven her mother for trying to kill her.. Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-02-28.
  4. ^ Shaver, Jessica (1999). Gianna: Aborted... and Lived to Tell About It. Bethany House. ISBN 1-5617-9415-5. 
  5. ^ Harvey, Ted. Ted Harvey, not Paul Harvey. Ted Harvey for Colorado. Retrieved on 2007-02-28.
  6. ^ Frates, Chris (2006-05-09). Abortion jab earns rebuke. The Denver Post. Retrieved on 2007-02-28.

[edit] See also

  • The Oldenburg Baby is a German child also born after an attempted abortion.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../g/i/a/Gianna_Jessen_d47c.html"
In other languages