Rick Santorum may never get past the string of presidential primaries that are leading up to the Republican convention.
But with the former Pennsylvania senator’s profile now much higher than it has ever been, he has already attained a “bully pulpit” of sorts for the values that matter most to him and his Catholic family.
While we would never wish the burden of serious illness on any family, the life of 3-year-old Isabella Maria Santorum has turned out to be a blessing for all of us.
The Santorums already knew her life was precious and full of potential — even when they received the devastating news shortly after Bella’s birth that she had Trisomy 18, a syndrome that can cause heart defects, failure to grow normally and other problems. Few such children live beyond a year. The couple had already lost a son shortly after he was born. During that pregnancy they had rejected suggestions of abortion because he too had a serious defect.
When Bella was born, they again encountered an attitude in the medical world that contrasted with the hope they had as parents. Rather than just let her die, the Santorums sought out doctors who would work to keep her alive. Some families would not have come this far. Sometimes the diagnosis — for Trisomy 18 or less serious Down syndrome — comes before birth, and some families decide to avoid any further challenges, sadly, by aborting the child.
But with all the Santorums have on their plate — they have six other children — they made the decision to lovingly accept whatever Bella needed. For children with such a syndrome, care can be constant.
Most recently, Santorum canceled several campaign appearances prior to the crucial Florida primary because Bella was hospitalized for pneumonia. The candidate told Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly that, “in many respects, one of the reasons I’m out here is because, you know, fighting for little kids like Bella, who, in many respects are, I think, are going to be left behind — whether it’s Obamacare or whether it’s a system where government is going to start to evaluate people not based on who they are or what they are, but what they can do.”
A similar case arose shortly thereafter, in which a 3-year-old named Mia Rivera was allegedly turned down for a crucial kidney transplant because, according to her mother, the doctor said the girl is “retarded.”
That would seem to confirm Santorum’s concern that people are being deemed unworthy of life because they can’t do certain things.
It’s hard to say how far Santorum will get in his quest for president. But one can only dream of a White House where the first family sets an example of welcoming life.
As Santorum told an audience in Charleston, S.C., in reference to Bella, “She is a font of love. And she made me understand that that’s how the Father looks at me. I’m disabled and unable to ‘do’ anything for him — except love him. And he loves me unconditionally.”
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God bless him, Im gonna pray for him and his daughter
Just returned from Rick Santorum’s fundraising breakfast, and healthcare speech in Rochester MN, home of the Mayo Clinic. At the breakfast he shared how his Catholic faith, family, and belief in the fundamental freedoms of our country are spurring him on the campaign trail. I found his vision for healthcare reform in stark contrast to Obamacare or Romenycare, and it is worth taking the time to read up on his position.
From all appearances, Rick Santorum is not just running a campaign, he is on a mission; very refreshing. His commitment to the cause, despite being very low budget, won me over.
There was no organized “Rick Santorum for President” effort here in Rochester but from the enthusiastic response he received, there will be one now.
My husband and I agree with you 100 percent!! After listening to Senator/Candidate Santorum in Luverne, MN - we too are on board and will do what we can to promote the most trustworthy candidate out there. He has great morals and the leadership qualities we have been searching for for years!! Go Rick!!!
God Bless the Santorums - what a wonderful, faithful Catholic family!!!
Rick Santorum MAY GET PAST the string of presidential primaries that are leading up to the Republican convention… and become President of the United States of America. He above all others will THE ONE to turn America back to God.
Why do all of your lead ins have to be NEGATIVE? Such writing is not construction but destructive. I understand that it is the way of the secular press but why you? You are writing for a Catholic press and I for one would appreciate a Catholic style.
I am praying for a Santorum surge today, and I wish that Catholics would join me at Eucharistic Novena for Santorum on Facebook.
Both in his book, “It Takes a Family” and his campaign appearances, Rick has pointed out that the precipitous decline in marriage has had serious consequences for society; children without fathers do poorly in school, are more likely to be unemployed, addicted, jailed and die young. This is a critical message for America and I wish Catholics would stand behind Rick and bring him to the White House. We may see the salt of the earth people of the Midwest lead us in supporting the obvious family values candidate.
His fight to defend the most vulnerable members of society is what resonates the most, however, since, like Rick, I have a daughter with a trisomy. My daughter Christina, with trisomy 21 has taught me that one’s value in life is not determined by one’s diagnosis, ones’ accomplishments, or even the length of one’s life, but by how much one loves.
Bella Santorum, you have been a font of love for the entire nation. I pray that we have the wisdom to learn from you.
I have been blessed to get to know Rick and Karen because my son Peter had the same condition trisomy 18 as Bella. They are truly wonderful, faithful people who live out the message of respect for all life every day. Bella and my son Peter and kids with special needs are teachers of our souls and truly help us become better. Sadly, children who receive a poor prenatal diagnosis like trisomy 18 or trisomy 21, which is Down syndrome, are aborted at rates of over 90%. We need a President who values the gift of all life and who will lead our great country back to the principles on which it was founded. I encourage my fellow Catholics to support Sen. Santorum to be our next President with prayer, sacrifices and financial gifts. Sen. Santorum has the vision, leadership and values that America needs. Please pray for their beautiful family, especially precious Bella who is a great gift and blessing to the family and to the whole world.
I am so proud of Rick Santorum. I will vote for him, even if he may not get the nomination. He has been honest and I trust him. I want him to know that I pray for him and his wonderful wife and children. God Bless him and God, please bless the USA.
I truly understand the strength , the heart and the care that The Santorums have for those parents with children afflicted by the trisomy condition. I understand the pain they go through each and every day. only faith in God can soothen their grief. Am a mother of a 7 month daughter who was born on July the 15 th of last year and was immediately diagonised with trisomy 18 and was initially just given a few weeks to live. My daughter has since undergone two operations . One for the heart and another to do with feeding difficulties. I have been advised by doctors to continue giving her all the love as she can die any time because trisomy 18 is not compatible with life. Afer hearing the Santorums story, i have been strengthened again and my hope has been rekindled. Their courage is simply overwhelming. I may not know them personally but am with them in prayers. MAY THE GOOD LORD CONTINUE TO BLESS BELLA richly. It is only him who truly knows which condition is either compatible or not compatible with life. Thanks be to him.
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