Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. - National

It was a rainy night when she dropped the two boys off at her sister's to baby-sit. She was on her way to meet Steve at a family get-together. She skidded on the wet pavement, her car slid into the path of another car and their lives were changed forever. Chastity suffered severe head injuries and sank into coma.

Nobody, not even her husband, knew at that time that she was pregnant. Routine tests performed at the hospital revealed that she was two weeks into her pregnancy when the accident occurred.

She had good care after that time but remained in coma and continued to carry the baby until one week shy of full term. During the pregnancy, she had been slowly improving. Later she was able to open her eyes and follow people around the room but could not move or talk.

Abortion? Steve firmly shook his head and said no, that was never an option. And so what happened? Chastity went into labor and gave birth in a normal fashion, remaining in coma the whole time. She gave birth to a healthy little girl, seven pounds, seven ounces. Little Alexis's mother smiled after the delivery and seemed to respond when the little infant was placed in her lap.

The doctors have been dumbfounded. Dr. Michael Hant, a neonatologist at the University Hospital in Cincinnati, said, 'This is one of the only cases ever in the United States where a woman was in coma throughout the entire pregnancy.'

And how about little Alexis? Well, she slept through the news conference at the hospital, blissfully unaware of the amazing conditions of her birth. Her daddy said, 'She's precious. We waited for this baby a long time; she's absolutely adorable.'

But now comes the hard part. Steve lost his job because he took too much time off and had to find another one. Without that income, they couldn't keep up the payments on their mobile home, lost it and were living with relatives.

Steve says, 'I try not to think ahead. I'm a firm believer in playing the cards you're dealt, but I have three precious children and I want to keep them.'

There has been considerable publicity about this situation; in fact, it received national coverage. Steve was on the Paul Harvey Show, the British Broadcasting Corporation, a German TV station, and written up in a British tabloid. The story was told coast to coast -- and what happened? Well, let him tell you.

He said, 'Words can't truly convey how much all of your support has meant to me and my family. At such a challenging time, your cards and letters really lifted our spirits. I never knew just how many caring and giving people there are in this world. I don't know what to think about all the attention, but if it wasn't for all the attention, we wouldn't have received so much support. It's extremely gratifying; it's also mind boggling.'

Steve received several hundred cards and letters from as far away as Europe and over $25,000 in donations. He has used part of this to make a down payment on a home. In the meantime, his wife Chastity has been transferred to a top-notch rehabilitation facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since she has been there, she has made continuous progress. She now opens her eyes more and can use her fingers to respond to questions.

Her doctors still say that the odds are against a full recovery, but I'm a physician; I've been around a long time now, and I'll tell you, in situations like this, as long as recovery continues, more recovery is yet to come.

Steve sends his thanks to the many people who have sent money, offered prayers and support, gave him an automobile, and -- more good news -- he's had several good job offers."

Editor's Note: The above article was originally published in the Life Issues Connector, Volume 11, Number 1, January 2002 issue, a publication of Life Issues Institute Inc. Reprinted in its entirety with permission.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary (Charleston, WV)

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN PHONE CALL TO MARCH FOR LIFE PARTICIPANTS at 12:08 PM EST:

May God continue to bless America. Thank you very much."

(Source - Press Release received during the National Republican Committee Reception, January 22, 2002)

By faith, TSC is once again making application for exhibit space during NEA Expo 2002. The purpose of the exhibit will be to promote and provide educational classroom materials especially for science and health teachers. Again this year TSC will be investing $1,100 for the exhibit space rental alone, without counting the additional $300-400 cost for miscellaneous fees, materials, and the transporting of our materials from Ohio to Texas.

Already many individuals have begun to spare $5, $10, $20, and more to help us fund this exhibit. However, additional contributions are needed as we continue to prepare for this special exhibit. Each child born into this world will thank you for your contribution towards educating teachers about "The Wonder of Life".

Note: Please make checks payable to "TSC Inc. - National". Please carefully note how the amount given is to be designated (NEA Exhibit) so that the contribution will be appropriately allocated.

Often we know who our local officers and building representatives are. However, most of our dues money, in fact hundreds of dollars, goes beyond the local level to other levels of the Association. Knowing who represents us and how they vote isn't just a matter of principle; it's a matter of how our dues money is being spent.

Comments are often heard that the NEA and its state affiliates have a strong tradition of democratic governance. The NEA Representative Assembly, the annual meeting of the Association, is the largest deliberative body in the world. During the Representative Assembly, delegates vote on issues that affect us in many ways: they adopt all the NEA policies, the budget, and the resolutions; enact legislative agendas; consider many new business items; elect Association officers; and vote on amendments to the NEA governing documents.

All delegates are selected in the local and state affiliates by their colleagues to represent their views in the deliberation of the assembly. It is not too late to get involved. Details for running as a state delegate can be received from your state affiliate office. The state delegate elections will take place between now and mid-March.

For local delegate representation to the NEA RA, check with your local president. Election results from local affiliates are not due to their state affiliates until April 15. Unless your local Constitution & Bylaws allows for officers to serve as your delegates and/or allows for multi-year terms for delegates, most voting should take place between now and the first part of April.

So watch those local memos and newsletters carefully for NEA delegate election information. There are deadlines! We will only get good representation when members take the time to get involved by educating ourselves about the candidates, and VOTING!

The Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. - National web site is now available for viewing. Please take time to check out our web site. The web site includes information about the national organization and the three affiliate state chapters. It also includes copies of the TSC newsletters, brochures, and other published materials. There are still some pages that are "Under Construction". Please be patient as we continue to work on completing the web site. At the present time the web site will be updated bi-monthly.