The Photo that Grasped the World

For me it still seems like yesterday—August 19, 1999. While on assignment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center the click of my camera’s shutter changed my life forever.

Dr. Joseph Bruner was performing fetal surgery for spina bifida on Samuel Armus—at just 21 weeks gestation—as I was shooting photos for USA Today. Suddenly I saw the uterus shake and little Samuel’s fist force its way out. His tiny arm flailed about and when the doctor squeezed his hand Samuel responded, squeezing back.

I fired my camera and was mesmerized as the more Samuel squeezed, the harder Dr. Bruner pulled. My camera was capturing the earliest human interaction ever seen on film.

Here in the states, I was originally told the photo—though miraculous—was too graphic for the U.S. literary market. On Sept. 7, 1999 however, USA Today ran the photo and it soon spread across the globe. In Europe a media firestorm spread regarding the photograph that came to be known as The Hand of Hope.

Much later Dr. Bruner would claim Samuel was under anesthesia and could not have reached out, saying he alone was responsible for creating a staged photo.

I’m sure Dr. Bruner has reasons for his version of history. Was Samuel under anesthesia as Dr. Bruner claims? Perhaps; as I’m no expert. Yet I saw—with my own eyes and my camera—a little fist burst forth on its own. After seeing the miracle of pre-born life, my world—and my viewpoint—would never be the same.

Samuel—the most important person in this story—is now ten and doing well. He is a joy to visit with, exuding optimism at every turn. Samuel knows—as do I—that his photograph is changing hearts every day.

As I share my story at pro-life events around the world, one of the greatest blessings is seeing first-hand the importance of pregnancy resource centers. At these ministries, men and women—many for the first time—experience true compassion. And these ministries—just like a photo of a child grasping hope—are winning hearts and saving lives.

Michael Clancy is an award-winning photojournalist and frequent speaker at prolife events. His story can be found on the web at MichaelClancy.com. Photo and Article used with permission from Michael Clancy.

Meet Melissa

Melissa Morrow is the newest addition to the PCC family and will be filling the role of Administrative Assistant. She is a native of Indiana, born and raised in Indianapolis but has also spent time in Denton, Texas. She is currently continuing her bachelor degree in chemistry at Butler University. Melissa is very gifted musically and actually met her husband, Nick, while playing the cello. Since then they have started a band called Quick Said the Bird. Melissa and Nick have one son, Lincoln, who was born last September and has been a wonderful blessing to their family. We are so excited to have Melissa at the Pregnancy Care Center. Please help us in welcoming her!

The Dark

I was on a mission for my mother the other day and had visited one of those fragrance stores; you know the kind that has scented everything from candles that smell like food ingredients to soaps that smell like flowers of which you have never even heard? I had searched, picked and plucked through 432 fragrances to find what I was asked to get and at the check-out counter it caught my eye: The Dark Kiss.

Touted as the new, “dangerously sexy fragrance” the Dark Kiss is “daring and seductive.” It is a “tempting” blend made up of “sensual” ingredients. I seriously looked around for a card-board cut-out of Satan standing there grinning. What is this generation’s fascination with the “dark?”

What happened to the light? What ever happened to brilliant and bright? What happened to protected and safe, lovely and beautiful, joyful and pure?

Outdated you say? NEVER! This generation is inundated with dark images and many drag themselves out from dark circumstances in dark homes to be about their daily lives looking for all those adjectives that go with light. Most of us have had a good dose of danger and I don’t know about you but I’m sick of being tempted and seduced! Who couldn’t use a good dose of light? After all; Joy comes in the morning! You know why? Because that’s when the Son comes up!

Tracey Pike, Director of Community Education

Dressing Up to Play the Part

Recently First Baptist Church in Shelbyville embarked on a Baby Bottle Campaign during their Vacation Bible School. The goal was to raise $700 for the Pregnancy Care Center but Larry Fisher had a bigger goal. He not only wanted to raise money for the PCC but to get the students excited about the ministry. So Larry promised to dress up like a baby if their VBS goal was reached and as you can tell he makes a pretty good baby. Such dedication!

If your church is interested in participating in a Baby Bottle Campaign you can contact Abby Glasser at abbyg@affirminglifeonline.org or call the office at 812-378-4114 or toll free at 866-510-5067. We won’t make you dress up like a baby…we promise!

Abby Glasser, Events Coordinator

Back to School With Reality Show Perspective

In the unscripted reality show Big Brother, numerous “house guests” live in the same house for months and vote to evict one member a week until there is only one person left: the winner. The most fascinating part of the “game” is that the house guests are cut-off from all communication with the world outside the house in which they live. Because of this isolation, the contestants begin to view the small drama that unfolds within the house far more seriously than those of us living with a larger world view.

The loss of a “big-picture” perspective has house-guests in the Big Brother house behaving out of character by their own admission. I think most of us tend to do that at times in our lives; especially when in stressful situations or problems arise. With such a narrow focus we tend to make selfish or poor choices out of character with who we really are.

Many of today’s teens are inundated with an “it’s all about me” attitude by our culture. With that narrow of perspective can you imagine how the drama of wading through the emotions, hormones and challenges of the teen years could be difficult resulting in many making poor choices out of character of who they are and want to be?

Pregnancy Care Center will walk into hundreds of classrooms in approximately 42 schools in 7 counties this school year to give young people perspective. Overwhelmingly, they are grateful for a good dose. They are eager to learn how to make decisions from truth rather than emotions. They will be challenged to keep perspective that decisions made today will affect their entire lives. Tools will be given to help recognize what they are; precious and valuable. Please join us in prayer for the back-to-school teens and pre-teens as we war with the culture against the “me” mentality and short-sightedness that destroys.

Tracey Pike, Director of Community Education

Another Great Day on the Golf Course

Last Monday, 235 golfers joined together at Otter Creek Golf Course to raise funds for the PCC Ministry. While it was an extremely hot day, the golfers were excited to be there, supporting a cause they love. Through sponsorships and pledges, more than $78,300 was raised. While we did not meet our budget of $83,000, we are blessed by the generosity of the businesses, churches, and individuals who gave sacrificially to support the event.

The winning men’s team was Greg Harter, John Fairbanks, Tom LaBarbera and Jeff Smith with a score of 50. The winning women’s team was Judy Jones, Marilyn Jerman, Lainie Horn and Julia Marshall with a score of 70.

Steve Fisher raised the most in pledges for the ministry with a total of $2,390 while Brent Whitson came in second with $1,885.

Thanks to the golf captains, golfers, sponsors and staff at Otter Creek for a great day!

Thank you VBS!

A big thank you to all the churches that chose the Pregnancy Care Centers for their Vacation Bible School Mission Support Project this summer. Over $650 was raised for the PCC, which is already being put to use in our centers, churches and schools. We greatly appreciate all your support.

Flintwood Wesleyan Church
Cornerstone Baptist Church
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
St. John Lutheran Church at White Creek
Zion Lutheran Church
Calvary Baptist Church
Immanuel Lutheran Church
First Baptist Church in Seymour
Calvary Baptist Hispanic Church
Redeemer Lutheran Church
New Life Community Church
Fairland Christian Church
Fairland United Methodist Church