Baby Kelvon

I have a friend at Intel named Patty. She and I became friends several years ago when we worked together in Corporate Security. We were both going through divorces and I felt like she was a kindred spirit during a difficult season in my life. We both have moved on to new jobs, but remain friends, sending emails and IMs back and forth, having lunch together several times a year, and always taking each other out on our birthdays. A few months ago, we were again brought to a kindred place in our lives. We were having one of our lunches, and she shared with me that her daughter was expecting a baby, and that they had just found out that week the baby had a genetic disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which is a form of brittle bone disease. There are four types, and he had the worst one. Ultrasounds showed he already had multiple bone fractures. The prognosis was that he would probably not survive birth. During the birth process, the pressure of the birth canal crushes the fragile ribs and skull which is what leads to death.

Patty’s daughter, Shawna, decided not to terminate the pregnancy. Even knowing that there was virtually no hope of his survival, she knew the choice was not hers, but God’s. Her due date was today, December 18. Yesterday morning at 6:20, little Kelvon was born. He survived only 25 minutes. But that short time was a gift, as Shawna, Austin and all the grandparents got to hold him and kiss him and say good-bye.

No life is without purpose and Kelvon’s short one has made a difference. They are drawn closer to God and closer to one another through this baby’s existence. They have deeper understanding and compassion for other families who are dealing with special needs children. And they have a new hope of seeing this little boy again some day. If you are so inclined, say a prayer for this family as they grieve and heal.