Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Upcoming Events
See enclosed flyer for details of bookmarks and flyers available for purchase to support
Sanctity of Life Sunday in your churches.
Follow us:
On the afternoon of Wednesday 10 June, we were alerted that Simon Crowe, the owner of the burger
chain, was speaking on ABC radio and stated that the jar with our tag on it had been removed from the
Toowong store, as, in his words, his chain of stores is pro-choice. He further went on to state that
Everyone has a right to have their opinion, but in this instance our opinion is about pro-choice.
Yes, you read that right! Seems he cant be much clearer than that choice is only choice when it
means abortion.
www.facebook.com/cherishlifeqld
www.twitter.com/cherishlifeqld
Details closer to event. Venue: Indooroopilly Golf Club, Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly.
Note: This event is being held in October this year.
Though he used the word pro-choice that is merely a euphemism - if it wasnt, he would have been happy for an organisation
with a life-for-the-baby-and-real-love-care-and-support-for-the-mother option to be represented. At least half of his staff and half
his customers would not agree with his pro-abortion stance. Mr Crowe has taken it upon himself to speak for all of his staff and all
his customers!
A Mothers Perspective
states his burger chain is pro-choice, and express your dissatisfaction re the censorship of the situation. The irony is, it was Mr Crowes
own head office that approved our tag in the first place! We also encourage you to dine elsewhere and then post in your receipts to him
to show him how much money his chain of stores is losing due to his pro-abortion statement and censorship.
A visitor to the Cherish
Life stand at the
Pregnancy, Babies,
Children Expo held
19-21 June in Brisbane
being served by our
wonderful volunteer,
Rebecca.
envelope
Simon Crowe
Level 2, 4-10 Amsterdam St
Richmond VIC 3121
or email him on:
www.grilld.com.au/say-hi/
Flyer:front
Equal Value bookmark:front
Flyer:back
Happily, due to all the publicity, we have had donations that total 20-fold the minimum amount we could have won. They have come
from as far away as Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, and as far north as Townsville. We have also had a number of people
contacting us to volunteer their services for our organisation. So this small cloud of censorship has certainly had a large silver lining.
As one of our Facebook friends has stated, It never ceases to amaze me that a business that relies on customers walking through the
front door would advocate the killing of its future customers.
ba
s stand at the Toowoom
CLQ Toowoomba branch
ng
isti
ass
rg
er Maria Lossbe
Show with branch memb
two interested visitors.
Page 5
Townsville
Bundaberg
Gold Coast
Warwick
Cairns
Gympie
Rockhampton
Emerald
Mackay
Toowoomba
Dr Tim Coyle
Ph: 4054 3372
cairns@cherishlife.org.au
esa
Gladstone
Barry Kirby
Ph: 4151 6341
bundaberg@cherishlife.org.au
Atherton Tablelands
Carol OConnell
Ph: 4095 4766
tablelands@cherishlife.org.au
ACTION REQUIRED: We are encouraging everyone to write to Mr Crowe and let him know that he does not speak for you when he
Direct Deposits
BSB: 034 061
Account: 25-2709
Cherish Life Queensland
Bank: Westpac, Toowong
ABN: 44 470 248 746
Margaret Smith
Ph: 4987 5270
emerald@cherishlife.org.au
Cherish Life Newsletter
Colina Knol
Ph: 0422 111 321
gladstone@cherishlife.org.au
Jade Read
Ph: 0423 372 338
goldcoast@cherishlife.org.au
Ross Davies
Ph: 5482 1039
gympie@cherishlife.org.au
Dr Graeme Cumming
mackay@cherishlife.org.au
Jacinta Purcell
Ph: 0437 868 896
nambour@cherishlife.org.au
Julie Borger
Ph: 3284 7743
redcliffe@cherishlife.org.au
Noelle Melrose
Ph: 4928 9425
rockhampton@cherishlife.org.au
Dr Donna Purcell
Ph: 4633 1447
toowoomba@cherishlife.org.au
Cherish Life
Branches
Page 6
By Teresa Streckfuss
Many of you may have wondered, Whats the point?... or perhaps pitied us for having to continue carrying a child
who is not going to live for long... I understand these thoughts, because when my sister was carrying Thomas Walter
(who had been diagnosed with anencephaly at 18 weeks and lived for 17 hours after birth) I really didnt properly
comprehend the whole situation. I knew it was the right thing to do. I didnt question that I would have no other
option if the same thing ever happened to me (although I knew it never would!) But I thought how awful it was to
know for over four months that the child you are carrying is unable to live outside your womb.
Once he was born, I was able to hold my nephew and see him finally as a real person - a precious unique creation
- I began to realise that there was a lot more to it than mere ethics. When, much to my disbelief, my own baby,
Benedict, was diagnosed with this same condition four years later - I was finally able to grasp it, although it has taken
me a long time to be able to put my thoughts into words. It is only since Charlottes diagnosis that I have found words
that almost convey my feelings.
Some people think we carried Benedict and Charlotte to term because we dont agree with abortion, because we are
Catholic, or perhaps because our nephew was carried to term after a fatal diagnosis. While these factors probably
all played a part in our immediate refusal of the option to terminate, this is not what its all about! Its about love!
Its about my baby! Its not about some tragic, fatal medical condition - its about my child. We do not possess more
strength than other people. Its not because we can cope where others wouldnt. There is no way to avoid the sad
fact that she cannot live long after birth with this condition, but causing Charlotte to die earlier will not stop this
happening. Causing her to die earlier will only take from us the beautiful experience of knowing and loving her.
The tragedy is not the fact that we know our baby will die. The tragedy is that our baby will die. It is not nice to know
for months beforehand, but it gives us a chance to appreciate a life so brief, and not to miss a moment.
The value of Thomas Walter, Benedict and Charlotte cannot be measured by the length of their lives - we dont apply
this yardstick to adults, so why should we to babies? A baby is not a possession, an accessory to acquire. A baby is
a gift, a new entity, a precious, individual soul loved by God. We are created for a purpose, there is a reason for our
being here. Even if that reason is unclear to us most of the time, we are constantly affecting other people in our
families, communities etc. Who knows what purpose can be fulfilled in 9 months and one day? I dont know, but
God does. I do know that Benedict left a lasting impression on our family, he made us slow down, savour life, and
treasure our other children even more. He made us realise that we cannot control or predict what will happen in
the future, he made us rely on God. And how often are we given the opportunity to really give another person true
unconditional love? Love that truly expects no return? It is a blessing to experience that kind of pure love!
So dont pity us for carrying a child we know will die. Carrying this beautiful person is an honour. Grieve for the
fact that our baby will die. We wouldnt wish away the time we had with Benedict, and also this time we are now
experiencing with Charlotte, just to save us the pain of losing them. Ive always thought of it like this; if your 3 year
old was diagnosed with untreatable, fatal cancer and had only 4 months to live; would you prefer the doctor kill your
child straight away so that you didnt have to wait for his/her impending death? Or would you prefer to spend as
much time as you could with your child and love him/her for as long as you had left?
Someone asked us after Benedict died, Was it worth it? Oh, YES! For the chance to hold him, and see him, and love
him before letting him go ... For the chance for our children to see that we would never stop loving them, regardless
of their imperfections? For the chance to give him everything we could? Oh, YES! Love your children, and remember
that they each have their own unique mission. Children are always and only a blessing from God - even if they dont
stay very long...
(Read full story on p3.)
Page 1
Paul is the CEO of Emilys Voice (www.emilysvoice.com), an organisation started in Toowoomba seven years
ago. Two years later they started running life-friendly ads on local TV in the Toowoomba/Darling Downs
area. The ads use real people telling their own life stories in 30 seconds. The aim of the ads is to influence
culture to change the way people think so that they change the way they behave, Paul said. The ads have
also been run in Tasmania and are having a great impact in both areas. After the general public have seen
the ads, polling has found:
7% in the Darling Downs and 11% in Tasmania of all those polled said they had changed their position on abortion.
In the 16-24 year old age group, 22% in the Darling Downs and 25% in Tasmania have said they had changed their minds on abortion.
Some of the women polled said they had continued their pregnancies and birthed their babies due to seeing the Emilys Voice ads.
The goal is to run the ads nationally with the next campaign to be on the Sunshine Coast and in Bundaberg, as well as in Western Australia.
These ads are changing hearts and minds and, as the tagline on their ad website (www.notbornyet.com) states, are helping Australians fall in
love with the unborn.
Teresa Streckfuss is married and lives in Melbourne with her husband and their lovely children. Teresa was
first exposed to anencephaly in 1996 when her sister and husband had baby Thomas Walter born with that
condition. Sadly he lived for only 17 hours. Anencephaly occurs approximately once in 1000 births.
The condition is due to the head of the neural tube not closing properly. This causes the top of the skull,
higher brain and scalp to not form properly. Taking folic acid supplements (costing around $5 for a 3 month
supply) both before and during pregnancy can help prevent this problem in many, though not all, situations.
Teresa and her husband had two children (3 years old and 19 months old) when baby Benedict was born with
anencephaly. Abortion was suggested by the medical professionals but totally rejected by the Streckfusses.
Teresa said that they had 2-3 weeks of deep grief after the diagnosis. She stressed the point that that is the
time when people make choices that they are not in a clear mental state to make. The feelings of fear, confusion and grief ease somewhat
after this time and one is better able to think clearly, she said.
In the RU-486 abortion pill regiment (used to abort babies up to 49 days or 7 weeks gestation), Mifepristone is given first - this shuts
down the babys nutrition source. This is followed by Misoprostal which causes contractions to expel the unborn baby.
Dr Matthew Harrison in the USA had the first known successful reversal of the abortion pill by using a regime of natural progesterone.
In simple terms, natural progesterone supplementation stops the uterus from contracting and can help prevent miscarriages.
89 successful reversals of the RU-486 abortion process have taken place where the mothers have only taken the first part of the drug
regime - Mifepristone - with a 60% success rate of the babies being born perfectly fine. If the second abortion pill has been taken,
there is a 4%-12% risk of abnormality.
Dr Kent had a case a few months ago where he treated a young woman with natural progesterone after she had taken the first abortion drug.
This halted the process and he was happy to state that this young womans pregnancy is progressing well.
The website abortionpillreversal.com is very helpful in giving women information, and points them to medical professionals that can help
reverse the effects of RU-486. Please tell everyone about it - you could save a life!
FOOTNOTE: CLQ has it on reliable authority that at least 10 girls a week have been contacting at least one of the abortion businesses down south that had issued
them these abortion pills, asking for help to stop the abortion drugs from working as they had changed their minds! The girls are fobbed off after being told it
was too late or your baby will be deformed etc. Circulate this website - abortionpillreversal.com - to increase public awareness that RU-486 can be reversed.
Teresa found that the medical staff were very helpful but only AFTER the Streckfusses had made it clear they wouldnt abort their baby.
Baby Benedict was born via C-section and lived for 24 hrs and 13 minutes. He was baptised and confirmed during that time. Teresa stated,
Benedict spent his whole life in the arms of people who loved him.
For five years we fought to save Terris life, Bobby said, stating Pope John Paul II had become involved to help, as had then President George
W Bush, along with other high profile people including Jeb Bush (brother of the president) then Governor of Florida, and Father Frank Pavone
from Priests for Life. Sadly they had no support from the local bishop Robert Lynch.
After baby Benedict, they had another baby born healthy then found themselves unexpectedly pregnant again. Teresa had some concerns
as she had not been taking folic acid regularly. Sadly, an ultrasound later in the pregnancy showed this baby too, had anencephaly.
The radiographer, assuming that they would abort stated, Unfortunately we cant diagnose this earlier implying that if they could, it would
have given the Streckfusses the opportunity to abort!
To visit Terri, we had to go through three checkpoints of police, there were even police on the roof as well as armed police in her room.
We were told that if we even applied lipgloss on her lips, we would be arrested, Bobby said.
Baby Charlotte, born three years after Benedict, was also immediately baptised and confirmed. To their joy, baby Charlotte lived for six whole
days. During that time she tracked light with her eyes, and startled at noise and camera flashes. She showed she was hungry by swallowing
expressed breast milk squeezed into her mouth. They were blessed to be able to take Charlotte home for what was, sadly, to be her final night.
Like Benedict, Charlotte too spent her entire life being surrounded by people who loved her.
Teresa found that many in the medical profession she dealt with couldnt understand why she would carry a dying child. While still pregnant
with Charlotte, she penned an open letter* to the medical professionals explaining why. A copy of the letter found its way to the Herald Sun
newspaper and they published it. Teresa and her husband have no regrets about carrying their dying babies to term and know their lives are
enriched for having loved Benedict and Charlotte. Their story also features in Melinda Tankard Reists book Defiant Birth which is available
from CLQ $35 plus p&h.
On 18 March 2005, her feeding tube was removed and after 2 weeks without food or water, Terri died on 31 March 2005. Watching Terri die
by this most barbaric and inhumane way possible was haunting. Terri looked terrible as her body was dehydrating. She endured horrendous
suffering, Bobby said.
On the tenth anniversary of Terris death, Bobby had a picture image created from his memory of what Terri had looked like (as they were
not allowed to take photographs) at her death. Those fighting for her to die said it was a peaceful death - the image shows anything but!
You must remember that we are talking here about killing people who are NOT dying, who are relatively healthy but need a feeding tube
to feed and hydrate them. They may have difficulty swallowing but need nothing else to live, he said.
Bobby ended his talk by showing a video of Terri and their family growing up with the background music of the song You are so beautiful
to me by singer Joe Cocker. Bobby has written a book, Terri Schiavo: A Life That Matters, detailing what happened to Terri. The book is
available from CLQ - $25 plus p&h.
*See p1
Paul Ninnes is the Managing Director of Real Talk (www.realtalkaustralia.com). Real Talk (RT) gets real
on the topics of sex, relationships and personal identity with the content of their presentations based
on Christian values. Aimed and implemented for students in (mostly) high schools, they help young
people be all they were created to be, encouraging them to reassess poor decisions in relation to sex.
Paul openly explains to the students that In sexual intimacy our bodies have a language it means
something. We are saying something significant with our bodies. This statement makes a deep impact
on the students. The students are excited and encouraged when they are presented with the truth that
their lives will flourish in the fullness of healthy relationships, said Paul.
Young people are encouraged to see that their life is a gift and sacred, that we are all created in the image and likeness of God, and that
they are set apart for a special purpose, Paul said, stating Many students have never heard this message in a compelling way.
The RT team has grown from 2 to over 20 staff, as well as volunteers, in just four years. There is also a recently formed RT team in New
Zealand. Pauls co-presenter is Kym Keady. Paul mentioned the beautiful explanation Kym gave her then very young daughter as to why
she was here. She had told her, God looked down on the world and saw someone was missing and created you. Kyms reply applies
to all of us.
Cherish Life Newsletter
Page 2
Page 3
In the United States, it is a crime to starve dogs to death, but we do it to humans. How did we get to this
point? asked Bobby, founder of the Life & Hope Network in the US. He stated Wesley J Smith, a well-known
opponent of euthanasia, has written about German doctors killing mentally and physically imperfect people,
and that this is happening in many places around the world today. At that time, Dutch doctors were not
allowing it to happen in the Netherlands, but this has changed with most doctors embracing it with 60% saying
they had intentionally fatally injected a patient. Only 14% said they could not conceive of it. 40% said they
hadnt but would if they had to. Bobby quoted Smith, Once killing is accepted as the answer to human
difficulty and suffering, logic dictates there is no end.
The right to die movement has targeted feeding tubes, defining them as medical treatment instead of
human care, Bobby said. Daniel Calahan, an ethicist, was behind the push for this change as in Calahans words, it is the only effective way
that biologically tenacious patients would die. Others have started to agree with him and are now even targeting those who dont need
a feeding tube, but just need help to feed themselves!, Bobby said, In Canada a family petitioned a nursing home to starve their mother to
death. Luckily in this case the court denied it.
We now have the situation where a person can be classified as a human non-person meaning they are human but not a person!
This classification includes all embryos, foetuses, infants, those with Alzheimers or cognitive problems, or those who are incapacitated.
Intelligent animals are now considered persons and these animal persons have more value than human non-persons! Bobby said.
The Life & Hope Network (www.terrisfight.org) Bobby founded in America is set up to help families fight for good care for their relatives who have
an acquired brain injury. They are currently raising money for a purpose-built facility to care for those who need ongoing expert medical help.
Cherish Life Newsletter
Page 4
Paul is the CEO of Emilys Voice (www.emilysvoice.com), an organisation started in Toowoomba seven years
ago. Two years later they started running life-friendly ads on local TV in the Toowoomba/Darling Downs
area. The ads use real people telling their own life stories in 30 seconds. The aim of the ads is to influence
culture to change the way people think so that they change the way they behave, Paul said. The ads have
also been run in Tasmania and are having a great impact in both areas. After the general public have seen
the ads, polling has found:
7% in the Darling Downs and 11% in Tasmania of all those polled said they had changed their position on abortion.
In the 16-24 year old age group, 22% in the Darling Downs and 25% in Tasmania have said they had changed their minds on abortion.
Some of the women polled said they had continued their pregnancies and birthed their babies due to seeing the Emilys Voice ads.
The goal is to run the ads nationally with the next campaign to be on the Sunshine Coast and in Bundaberg, as well as in Western Australia.
These ads are changing hearts and minds and, as the tagline on their ad website (www.notbornyet.com) states, are helping Australians fall in
love with the unborn.
Teresa Streckfuss is married and lives in Melbourne with her husband and their lovely children. Teresa was
first exposed to anencephaly in 1996 when her sister and husband had baby Thomas Walter born with that
condition. Sadly he lived for only 17 hours. Anencephaly occurs approximately once in 1000 births.
The condition is due to the head of the neural tube not closing properly. This causes the top of the skull,
higher brain and scalp to not form properly. Taking folic acid supplements (costing around $5 for a 3 month
supply) both before and during pregnancy can help prevent this problem in many, though not all, situations.
Teresa and her husband had two children (3 years old and 19 months old) when baby Benedict was born with
anencephaly. Abortion was suggested by the medical professionals but totally rejected by the Streckfusses.
Teresa said that they had 2-3 weeks of deep grief after the diagnosis. She stressed the point that that is the
time when people make choices that they are not in a clear mental state to make. The feelings of fear, confusion and grief ease somewhat
after this time and one is better able to think clearly, she said.
In the RU-486 abortion pill regiment (used to abort babies up to 49 days or 7 weeks gestation), Mifepristone is given first - this shuts
down the babys nutrition source. This is followed by Misoprostal which causes contractions to expel the unborn baby.
Dr Matthew Harrison in the USA had the first known successful reversal of the abortion pill by using a regime of natural progesterone.
In simple terms, natural progesterone supplementation stops the uterus from contracting and can help prevent miscarriages.
89 successful reversals of the RU-486 abortion process have taken place where the mothers have only taken the first part of the drug
regime - Mifepristone - with a 60% success rate of the babies being born perfectly fine. If the second abortion pill has been taken,
there is a 4%-12% risk of abnormality.
Dr Kent had a case a few months ago where he treated a young woman with natural progesterone after she had taken the first abortion drug.
This halted the process and he was happy to state that this young womans pregnancy is progressing well.
The website abortionpillreversal.com is very helpful in giving women information, and points them to medical professionals that can help
reverse the effects of RU-486. Please tell everyone about it - you could save a life!
FOOTNOTE: CLQ has it on reliable authority that at least 10 girls a week have been contacting at least one of the abortion businesses down south that had issued
them these abortion pills, asking for help to stop the abortion drugs from working as they had changed their minds! The girls are fobbed off after being told it
was too late or your baby will be deformed etc. Circulate this website - abortionpillreversal.com - to increase public awareness that RU-486 can be reversed.
Teresa found that the medical staff were very helpful but only AFTER the Streckfusses had made it clear they wouldnt abort their baby.
Baby Benedict was born via C-section and lived for 24 hrs and 13 minutes. He was baptised and confirmed during that time. Teresa stated,
Benedict spent his whole life in the arms of people who loved him.
For five years we fought to save Terris life, Bobby said, stating Pope John Paul II had become involved to help, as had then President George
W Bush, along with other high profile people including Jeb Bush (brother of the president) then Governor of Florida, and Father Frank Pavone
from Priests for Life. Sadly they had no support from the local bishop Robert Lynch.
After baby Benedict, they had another baby born healthy then found themselves unexpectedly pregnant again. Teresa had some concerns
as she had not been taking folic acid regularly. Sadly, an ultrasound later in the pregnancy showed this baby too, had anencephaly.
The radiographer, assuming that they would abort stated, Unfortunately we cant diagnose this earlier implying that if they could, it would
have given the Streckfusses the opportunity to abort!
To visit Terri, we had to go through three checkpoints of police, there were even police on the roof as well as armed police in her room.
We were told that if we even applied lipgloss on her lips, we would be arrested, Bobby said.
Baby Charlotte, born three years after Benedict, was also immediately baptised and confirmed. To their joy, baby Charlotte lived for six whole
days. During that time she tracked light with her eyes, and startled at noise and camera flashes. She showed she was hungry by swallowing
expressed breast milk squeezed into her mouth. They were blessed to be able to take Charlotte home for what was, sadly, to be her final night.
Like Benedict, Charlotte too spent her entire life being surrounded by people who loved her.
Teresa found that many in the medical profession she dealt with couldnt understand why she would carry a dying child. While still pregnant
with Charlotte, she penned an open letter* to the medical professionals explaining why. A copy of the letter found its way to the Herald Sun
newspaper and they published it. Teresa and her husband have no regrets about carrying their dying babies to term and know their lives are
enriched for having loved Benedict and Charlotte. Their story also features in Melinda Tankard Reists book Defiant Birth which is available
from CLQ $35 plus p&h.
On 18 March 2005, her feeding tube was removed and after 2 weeks without food or water, Terri died on 31 March 2005. Watching Terri die
by this most barbaric and inhumane way possible was haunting. Terri looked terrible as her body was dehydrating. She endured horrendous
suffering, Bobby said.
On the tenth anniversary of Terris death, Bobby had a picture image created from his memory of what Terri had looked like (as they were
not allowed to take photographs) at her death. Those fighting for her to die said it was a peaceful death - the image shows anything but!
You must remember that we are talking here about killing people who are NOT dying, who are relatively healthy but need a feeding tube
to feed and hydrate them. They may have difficulty swallowing but need nothing else to live, he said.
Bobby ended his talk by showing a video of Terri and their family growing up with the background music of the song You are so beautiful
to me by singer Joe Cocker. Bobby has written a book, Terri Schiavo: A Life That Matters, detailing what happened to Terri. The book is
available from CLQ - $25 plus p&h.
*See p1
Paul Ninnes is the Managing Director of Real Talk (www.realtalkaustralia.com). Real Talk (RT) gets real
on the topics of sex, relationships and personal identity with the content of their presentations based
on Christian values. Aimed and implemented for students in (mostly) high schools, they help young
people be all they were created to be, encouraging them to reassess poor decisions in relation to sex.
Paul openly explains to the students that In sexual intimacy our bodies have a language it means
something. We are saying something significant with our bodies. This statement makes a deep impact
on the students. The students are excited and encouraged when they are presented with the truth that
their lives will flourish in the fullness of healthy relationships, said Paul.
Young people are encouraged to see that their life is a gift and sacred, that we are all created in the image and likeness of God, and that
they are set apart for a special purpose, Paul said, stating Many students have never heard this message in a compelling way.
The RT team has grown from 2 to over 20 staff, as well as volunteers, in just four years. There is also a recently formed RT team in New
Zealand. Pauls co-presenter is Kym Keady. Paul mentioned the beautiful explanation Kym gave her then very young daughter as to why
she was here. She had told her, God looked down on the world and saw someone was missing and created you. Kyms reply applies
to all of us.
Cherish Life Newsletter
Page 2
Page 3
In the United States, it is a crime to starve dogs to death, but we do it to humans. How did we get to this
point? asked Bobby, founder of the Life & Hope Network in the US. He stated Wesley J Smith, a well-known
opponent of euthanasia, has written about German doctors killing mentally and physically imperfect people,
and that this is happening in many places around the world today. At that time, Dutch doctors were not
allowing it to happen in the Netherlands, but this has changed with most doctors embracing it with 60% saying
they had intentionally fatally injected a patient. Only 14% said they could not conceive of it. 40% said they
hadnt but would if they had to. Bobby quoted Smith, Once killing is accepted as the answer to human
difficulty and suffering, logic dictates there is no end.
The right to die movement has targeted feeding tubes, defining them as medical treatment instead of
human care, Bobby said. Daniel Calahan, an ethicist, was behind the push for this change as in Calahans words, it is the only effective way
that biologically tenacious patients would die. Others have started to agree with him and are now even targeting those who dont need
a feeding tube, but just need help to feed themselves!, Bobby said, In Canada a family petitioned a nursing home to starve their mother to
death. Luckily in this case the court denied it.
We now have the situation where a person can be classified as a human non-person meaning they are human but not a person!
This classification includes all embryos, foetuses, infants, those with Alzheimers or cognitive problems, or those who are incapacitated.
Intelligent animals are now considered persons and these animal persons have more value than human non-persons! Bobby said.
The Life & Hope Network (www.terrisfight.org) Bobby founded in America is set up to help families fight for good care for their relatives who have
an acquired brain injury. They are currently raising money for a purpose-built facility to care for those who need ongoing expert medical help.
Cherish Life Newsletter
Page 4
Paul is the CEO of Emilys Voice (www.emilysvoice.com), an organisation started in Toowoomba seven years
ago. Two years later they started running life-friendly ads on local TV in the Toowoomba/Darling Downs
area. The ads use real people telling their own life stories in 30 seconds. The aim of the ads is to influence
culture to change the way people think so that they change the way they behave, Paul said. The ads have
also been run in Tasmania and are having a great impact in both areas. After the general public have seen
the ads, polling has found:
7% in the Darling Downs and 11% in Tasmania of all those polled said they had changed their position on abortion.
In the 16-24 year old age group, 22% in the Darling Downs and 25% in Tasmania have said they had changed their minds on abortion.
Some of the women polled said they had continued their pregnancies and birthed their babies due to seeing the Emilys Voice ads.
The goal is to run the ads nationally with the next campaign to be on the Sunshine Coast and in Bundaberg, as well as in Western Australia.
These ads are changing hearts and minds and, as the tagline on their ad website (www.notbornyet.com) states, are helping Australians fall in
love with the unborn.
Teresa Streckfuss is married and lives in Melbourne with her husband and their lovely children. Teresa was
first exposed to anencephaly in 1996 when her sister and husband had baby Thomas Walter born with that
condition. Sadly he lived for only 17 hours. Anencephaly occurs approximately once in 1000 births.
The condition is due to the head of the neural tube not closing properly. This causes the top of the skull,
higher brain and scalp to not form properly. Taking folic acid supplements (costing around $5 for a 3 month
supply) both before and during pregnancy can help prevent this problem in many, though not all, situations.
Teresa and her husband had two children (3 years old and 19 months old) when baby Benedict was born with
anencephaly. Abortion was suggested by the medical professionals but totally rejected by the Streckfusses.
Teresa said that they had 2-3 weeks of deep grief after the diagnosis. She stressed the point that that is the
time when people make choices that they are not in a clear mental state to make. The feelings of fear, confusion and grief ease somewhat
after this time and one is better able to think clearly, she said.
In the RU-486 abortion pill regiment (used to abort babies up to 49 days or 7 weeks gestation), Mifepristone is given first - this shuts
down the babys nutrition source. This is followed by Misoprostal which causes contractions to expel the unborn baby.
Dr Matthew Harrison in the USA had the first known successful reversal of the abortion pill by using a regime of natural progesterone.
In simple terms, natural progesterone supplementation stops the uterus from contracting and can help prevent miscarriages.
89 successful reversals of the RU-486 abortion process have taken place where the mothers have only taken the first part of the drug
regime - Mifepristone - with a 60% success rate of the babies being born perfectly fine. If the second abortion pill has been taken,
there is a 4%-12% risk of abnormality.
Dr Kent had a case a few months ago where he treated a young woman with natural progesterone after she had taken the first abortion drug.
This halted the process and he was happy to state that this young womans pregnancy is progressing well.
The website abortionpillreversal.com is very helpful in giving women information, and points them to medical professionals that can help
reverse the effects of RU-486. Please tell everyone about it - you could save a life!
FOOTNOTE: CLQ has it on reliable authority that at least 10 girls a week have been contacting at least one of the abortion businesses down south that had issued
them these abortion pills, asking for help to stop the abortion drugs from working as they had changed their minds! The girls are fobbed off after being told it
was too late or your baby will be deformed etc. Circulate this website - abortionpillreversal.com - to increase public awareness that RU-486 can be reversed.
Teresa found that the medical staff were very helpful but only AFTER the Streckfusses had made it clear they wouldnt abort their baby.
Baby Benedict was born via C-section and lived for 24 hrs and 13 minutes. He was baptised and confirmed during that time. Teresa stated,
Benedict spent his whole life in the arms of people who loved him.
For five years we fought to save Terris life, Bobby said, stating Pope John Paul II had become involved to help, as had then President George
W Bush, along with other high profile people including Jeb Bush (brother of the president) then Governor of Florida, and Father Frank Pavone
from Priests for Life. Sadly they had no support from the local bishop Robert Lynch.
After baby Benedict, they had another baby born healthy then found themselves unexpectedly pregnant again. Teresa had some concerns
as she had not been taking folic acid regularly. Sadly, an ultrasound later in the pregnancy showed this baby too, had anencephaly.
The radiographer, assuming that they would abort stated, Unfortunately we cant diagnose this earlier implying that if they could, it would
have given the Streckfusses the opportunity to abort!
To visit Terri, we had to go through three checkpoints of police, there were even police on the roof as well as armed police in her room.
We were told that if we even applied lipgloss on her lips, we would be arrested, Bobby said.
Baby Charlotte, born three years after Benedict, was also immediately baptised and confirmed. To their joy, baby Charlotte lived for six whole
days. During that time she tracked light with her eyes, and startled at noise and camera flashes. She showed she was hungry by swallowing
expressed breast milk squeezed into her mouth. They were blessed to be able to take Charlotte home for what was, sadly, to be her final night.
Like Benedict, Charlotte too spent her entire life being surrounded by people who loved her.
Teresa found that many in the medical profession she dealt with couldnt understand why she would carry a dying child. While still pregnant
with Charlotte, she penned an open letter* to the medical professionals explaining why. A copy of the letter found its way to the Herald Sun
newspaper and they published it. Teresa and her husband have no regrets about carrying their dying babies to term and know their lives are
enriched for having loved Benedict and Charlotte. Their story also features in Melinda Tankard Reists book Defiant Birth which is available
from CLQ $35 plus p&h.
On 18 March 2005, her feeding tube was removed and after 2 weeks without food or water, Terri died on 31 March 2005. Watching Terri die
by this most barbaric and inhumane way possible was haunting. Terri looked terrible as her body was dehydrating. She endured horrendous
suffering, Bobby said.
On the tenth anniversary of Terris death, Bobby had a picture image created from his memory of what Terri had looked like (as they were
not allowed to take photographs) at her death. Those fighting for her to die said it was a peaceful death - the image shows anything but!
You must remember that we are talking here about killing people who are NOT dying, who are relatively healthy but need a feeding tube
to feed and hydrate them. They may have difficulty swallowing but need nothing else to live, he said.
Bobby ended his talk by showing a video of Terri and their family growing up with the background music of the song You are so beautiful
to me by singer Joe Cocker. Bobby has written a book, Terri Schiavo: A Life That Matters, detailing what happened to Terri. The book is
available from CLQ - $25 plus p&h.
*See p1
Paul Ninnes is the Managing Director of Real Talk (www.realtalkaustralia.com). Real Talk (RT) gets real
on the topics of sex, relationships and personal identity with the content of their presentations based
on Christian values. Aimed and implemented for students in (mostly) high schools, they help young
people be all they were created to be, encouraging them to reassess poor decisions in relation to sex.
Paul openly explains to the students that In sexual intimacy our bodies have a language it means
something. We are saying something significant with our bodies. This statement makes a deep impact
on the students. The students are excited and encouraged when they are presented with the truth that
their lives will flourish in the fullness of healthy relationships, said Paul.
Young people are encouraged to see that their life is a gift and sacred, that we are all created in the image and likeness of God, and that
they are set apart for a special purpose, Paul said, stating Many students have never heard this message in a compelling way.
The RT team has grown from 2 to over 20 staff, as well as volunteers, in just four years. There is also a recently formed RT team in New
Zealand. Pauls co-presenter is Kym Keady. Paul mentioned the beautiful explanation Kym gave her then very young daughter as to why
she was here. She had told her, God looked down on the world and saw someone was missing and created you. Kyms reply applies
to all of us.
Cherish Life Newsletter
Page 2
Page 3
In the United States, it is a crime to starve dogs to death, but we do it to humans. How did we get to this
point? asked Bobby, founder of the Life & Hope Network in the US. He stated Wesley J Smith, a well-known
opponent of euthanasia, has written about German doctors killing mentally and physically imperfect people,
and that this is happening in many places around the world today. At that time, Dutch doctors were not
allowing it to happen in the Netherlands, but this has changed with most doctors embracing it with 60% saying
they had intentionally fatally injected a patient. Only 14% said they could not conceive of it. 40% said they
hadnt but would if they had to. Bobby quoted Smith, Once killing is accepted as the answer to human
difficulty and suffering, logic dictates there is no end.
The right to die movement has targeted feeding tubes, defining them as medical treatment instead of
human care, Bobby said. Daniel Calahan, an ethicist, was behind the push for this change as in Calahans words, it is the only effective way
that biologically tenacious patients would die. Others have started to agree with him and are now even targeting those who dont need
a feeding tube, but just need help to feed themselves!, Bobby said, In Canada a family petitioned a nursing home to starve their mother to
death. Luckily in this case the court denied it.
We now have the situation where a person can be classified as a human non-person meaning they are human but not a person!
This classification includes all embryos, foetuses, infants, those with Alzheimers or cognitive problems, or those who are incapacitated.
Intelligent animals are now considered persons and these animal persons have more value than human non-persons! Bobby said.
The Life & Hope Network (www.terrisfight.org) Bobby founded in America is set up to help families fight for good care for their relatives who have
an acquired brain injury. They are currently raising money for a purpose-built facility to care for those who need ongoing expert medical help.
Cherish Life Newsletter
Page 4
Head Office
Suite 5, Benson House
2 Benson Street
(PO Box 1382)
TOOWONG DC Q 4066
Upcoming Events
See enclosed flyer for details of bookmarks and flyers available for purchase to support
Sanctity of Life Sunday in your churches.
Follow us:
On the afternoon of Wednesday 10 June, we were alerted that Simon Crowe, the owner of the burger
chain, was speaking on ABC radio and stated that the jar with our tag on it had been removed from the
Toowong store, as, in his words, his chain of stores is pro-choice. He further went on to state that
Everyone has a right to have their opinion, but in this instance our opinion is about pro-choice.
Yes, you read that right! Seems he cant be much clearer than that choice is only choice when it
means abortion.
www.facebook.com/cherishlifeqld
www.twitter.com/cherishlifeqld
Details closer to event. Venue: Indooroopilly Golf Club, Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly.
Note: This event is being held in October this year.
Though he used the word pro-choice that is merely a euphemism - if it wasnt, he would have been happy for an organisation
with a life-for-the-baby-and-real-love-care-and-support-for-the-mother option to be represented. At least half of his staff and half
his customers would not agree with his pro-abortion stance. Mr Crowe has taken it upon himself to speak for all of his staff and all
his customers!
A Mothers Perspective
states his burger chain is pro-choice, and express your dissatisfaction re the censorship of the situation. The irony is, it was Mr Crowes
own head office that approved our tag in the first place! We also encourage you to dine elsewhere and then post in your receipts to him
to show him how much money his chain of stores is losing due to his pro-abortion statement and censorship.
A visitor to the Cherish
Life stand at the
Pregnancy, Babies,
Children Expo held
19-21 June in Brisbane
being served by our
wonderful volunteer,
Rebecca.
envelope
Simon Crowe
Level 2, 4-10 Amsterdam St
Richmond VIC 3121
or email him on:
www.grilld.com.au/say-hi/
Flyer:front
Equal Value bookmark:front
Flyer:back
Happily, due to all the publicity, we have had donations that total 20-fold the minimum amount we could have won. They have come
from as far away as Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, and as far north as Townsville. We have also had a number of people
contacting us to volunteer their services for our organisation. So this small cloud of censorship has certainly had a large silver lining.
As one of our Facebook friends has stated, It never ceases to amaze me that a business that relies on customers walking through the
front door would advocate the killing of its future customers.
ba
s stand at the Toowoom
CLQ Toowoomba branch
ng
isti
ass
rg
er Maria Lossbe
Show with branch memb
two interested visitors.
Page 5
Townsville
Bundaberg
Gold Coast
Warwick
Cairns
Gympie
Rockhampton
Emerald
Mackay
Toowoomba
Dr Tim Coyle
Ph: 4054 3372
cairns@cherishlife.org.au
esa
Gladstone
Barry Kirby
Ph: 4151 6341
bundaberg@cherishlife.org.au
Atherton Tablelands
Carol OConnell
Ph: 4095 4766
tablelands@cherishlife.org.au
ACTION REQUIRED: We are encouraging everyone to write to Mr Crowe and let him know that he does not speak for you when he
Direct Deposits
BSB: 034 061
Account: 25-2709
Cherish Life Queensland
Bank: Westpac, Toowong
ABN: 44 470 248 746
Margaret Smith
Ph: 4987 5270
emerald@cherishlife.org.au
Cherish Life Newsletter
Colina Knol
Ph: 0422 111 321
gladstone@cherishlife.org.au
Jade Read
Ph: 0423 372 338
goldcoast@cherishlife.org.au
Ross Davies
Ph: 5482 1039
gympie@cherishlife.org.au
Dr Graeme Cumming
mackay@cherishlife.org.au
Jacinta Purcell
Ph: 0437 868 896
nambour@cherishlife.org.au
Julie Borger
Ph: 3284 7743
redcliffe@cherishlife.org.au
Noelle Melrose
Ph: 4928 9425
rockhampton@cherishlife.org.au
Dr Donna Purcell
Ph: 4633 1447
toowoomba@cherishlife.org.au
Cherish Life
Branches
Page 6
By Teresa Streckfuss
Many of you may have wondered, Whats the point?... or perhaps pitied us for having to continue carrying a child
who is not going to live for long... I understand these thoughts, because when my sister was carrying Thomas Walter
(who had been diagnosed with anencephaly at 18 weeks and lived for 17 hours after birth) I really didnt properly
comprehend the whole situation. I knew it was the right thing to do. I didnt question that I would have no other
option if the same thing ever happened to me (although I knew it never would!) But I thought how awful it was to
know for over four months that the child you are carrying is unable to live outside your womb.
Once he was born, I was able to hold my nephew and see him finally as a real person - a precious unique creation
- I began to realise that there was a lot more to it than mere ethics. When, much to my disbelief, my own baby,
Benedict, was diagnosed with this same condition four years later - I was finally able to grasp it, although it has taken
me a long time to be able to put my thoughts into words. It is only since Charlottes diagnosis that I have found words
that almost convey my feelings.
Some people think we carried Benedict and Charlotte to term because we dont agree with abortion, because we are
Catholic, or perhaps because our nephew was carried to term after a fatal diagnosis. While these factors probably
all played a part in our immediate refusal of the option to terminate, this is not what its all about! Its about love!
Its about my baby! Its not about some tragic, fatal medical condition - its about my child. We do not possess more
strength than other people. Its not because we can cope where others wouldnt. There is no way to avoid the sad
fact that she cannot live long after birth with this condition, but causing Charlotte to die earlier will not stop this
happening. Causing her to die earlier will only take from us the beautiful experience of knowing and loving her.
The tragedy is not the fact that we know our baby will die. The tragedy is that our baby will die. It is not nice to know
for months beforehand, but it gives us a chance to appreciate a life so brief, and not to miss a moment.
The value of Thomas Walter, Benedict and Charlotte cannot be measured by the length of their lives - we dont apply
this yardstick to adults, so why should we to babies? A baby is not a possession, an accessory to acquire. A baby is
a gift, a new entity, a precious, individual soul loved by God. We are created for a purpose, there is a reason for our
being here. Even if that reason is unclear to us most of the time, we are constantly affecting other people in our
families, communities etc. Who knows what purpose can be fulfilled in 9 months and one day? I dont know, but
God does. I do know that Benedict left a lasting impression on our family, he made us slow down, savour life, and
treasure our other children even more. He made us realise that we cannot control or predict what will happen in
the future, he made us rely on God. And how often are we given the opportunity to really give another person true
unconditional love? Love that truly expects no return? It is a blessing to experience that kind of pure love!
So dont pity us for carrying a child we know will die. Carrying this beautiful person is an honour. Grieve for the
fact that our baby will die. We wouldnt wish away the time we had with Benedict, and also this time we are now
experiencing with Charlotte, just to save us the pain of losing them. Ive always thought of it like this; if your 3 year
old was diagnosed with untreatable, fatal cancer and had only 4 months to live; would you prefer the doctor kill your
child straight away so that you didnt have to wait for his/her impending death? Or would you prefer to spend as
much time as you could with your child and love him/her for as long as you had left?
Someone asked us after Benedict died, Was it worth it? Oh, YES! For the chance to hold him, and see him, and love
him before letting him go ... For the chance for our children to see that we would never stop loving them, regardless
of their imperfections? For the chance to give him everything we could? Oh, YES! Love your children, and remember
that they each have their own unique mission. Children are always and only a blessing from God - even if they dont
stay very long...
(Read full story on p3.)
Page 1
Head Office
Suite 5, Benson House
2 Benson Street
(PO Box 1382)
TOOWONG DC Q 4066
Upcoming Events
See enclosed flyer for details of bookmarks and flyers available for purchase to support
Sanctity of Life Sunday in your churches.
Follow us:
On the afternoon of Wednesday 10 June, we were alerted that Simon Crowe, the owner of the burger
chain, was speaking on ABC radio and stated that the jar with our tag on it had been removed from the
Toowong store, as, in his words, his chain of stores is pro-choice. He further went on to state that
Everyone has a right to have their opinion, but in this instance our opinion is about pro-choice.
Yes, you read that right! Seems he cant be much clearer than that choice is only choice when it
means abortion.
www.facebook.com/cherishlifeqld
www.twitter.com/cherishlifeqld
Details closer to event. Venue: Indooroopilly Golf Club, Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly.
Note: This event is being held in October this year.
Though he used the word pro-choice that is merely a euphemism - if it wasnt, he would have been happy for an organisation
with a life-for-the-baby-and-real-love-care-and-support-for-the-mother option to be represented. At least half of his staff and half
his customers would not agree with his pro-abortion stance. Mr Crowe has taken it upon himself to speak for all of his staff and all
his customers!
A Mothers Perspective
states his burger chain is pro-choice, and express your dissatisfaction re the censorship of the situation. The irony is, it was Mr Crowes
own head office that approved our tag in the first place! We also encourage you to dine elsewhere and then post in your receipts to him
to show him how much money his chain of stores is losing due to his pro-abortion statement and censorship.
A visitor to the Cherish
Life stand at the
Pregnancy, Babies,
Children Expo held
19-21 June in Brisbane
being served by our
wonderful volunteer,
Rebecca.
envelope
Simon Crowe
Level 2, 4-10 Amsterdam St
Richmond VIC 3121
or email him on:
www.grilld.com.au/say-hi/
Flyer:front
Equal Value bookmark:front
Flyer:back
Happily, due to all the publicity, we have had donations that total 20-fold the minimum amount we could have won. They have come
from as far away as Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, and as far north as Townsville. We have also had a number of people
contacting us to volunteer their services for our organisation. So this small cloud of censorship has certainly had a large silver lining.
As one of our Facebook friends has stated, It never ceases to amaze me that a business that relies on customers walking through the
front door would advocate the killing of its future customers.
ba
s stand at the Toowoom
CLQ Toowoomba branch
ng
isti
ass
rg
er Maria Lossbe
Show with branch memb
two interested visitors.
Page 5
Townsville
Bundaberg
Gold Coast
Warwick
Cairns
Gympie
Rockhampton
Emerald
Mackay
Toowoomba
Dr Tim Coyle
Ph: 4054 3372
cairns@cherishlife.org.au
esa
Gladstone
Barry Kirby
Ph: 4151 6341
bundaberg@cherishlife.org.au
Atherton Tablelands
Carol OConnell
Ph: 4095 4766
tablelands@cherishlife.org.au
ACTION REQUIRED: We are encouraging everyone to write to Mr Crowe and let him know that he does not speak for you when he
Direct Deposits
BSB: 034 061
Account: 25-2709
Cherish Life Queensland
Bank: Westpac, Toowong
ABN: 44 470 248 746
Margaret Smith
Ph: 4987 5270
emerald@cherishlife.org.au
Cherish Life Newsletter
Colina Knol
Ph: 0422 111 321
gladstone@cherishlife.org.au
Jade Read
Ph: 0423 372 338
goldcoast@cherishlife.org.au
Ross Davies
Ph: 5482 1039
gympie@cherishlife.org.au
Dr Graeme Cumming
mackay@cherishlife.org.au
Jacinta Purcell
Ph: 0437 868 896
nambour@cherishlife.org.au
Julie Borger
Ph: 3284 7743
redcliffe@cherishlife.org.au
Noelle Melrose
Ph: 4928 9425
rockhampton@cherishlife.org.au
Dr Donna Purcell
Ph: 4633 1447
toowoomba@cherishlife.org.au
Cherish Life
Branches
Page 6
By Teresa Streckfuss
Many of you may have wondered, Whats the point?... or perhaps pitied us for having to continue carrying a child
who is not going to live for long... I understand these thoughts, because when my sister was carrying Thomas Walter
(who had been diagnosed with anencephaly at 18 weeks and lived for 17 hours after birth) I really didnt properly
comprehend the whole situation. I knew it was the right thing to do. I didnt question that I would have no other
option if the same thing ever happened to me (although I knew it never would!) But I thought how awful it was to
know for over four months that the child you are carrying is unable to live outside your womb.
Once he was born, I was able to hold my nephew and see him finally as a real person - a precious unique creation
- I began to realise that there was a lot more to it than mere ethics. When, much to my disbelief, my own baby,
Benedict, was diagnosed with this same condition four years later - I was finally able to grasp it, although it has taken
me a long time to be able to put my thoughts into words. It is only since Charlottes diagnosis that I have found words
that almost convey my feelings.
Some people think we carried Benedict and Charlotte to term because we dont agree with abortion, because we are
Catholic, or perhaps because our nephew was carried to term after a fatal diagnosis. While these factors probably
all played a part in our immediate refusal of the option to terminate, this is not what its all about! Its about love!
Its about my baby! Its not about some tragic, fatal medical condition - its about my child. We do not possess more
strength than other people. Its not because we can cope where others wouldnt. There is no way to avoid the sad
fact that she cannot live long after birth with this condition, but causing Charlotte to die earlier will not stop this
happening. Causing her to die earlier will only take from us the beautiful experience of knowing and loving her.
The tragedy is not the fact that we know our baby will die. The tragedy is that our baby will die. It is not nice to know
for months beforehand, but it gives us a chance to appreciate a life so brief, and not to miss a moment.
The value of Thomas Walter, Benedict and Charlotte cannot be measured by the length of their lives - we dont apply
this yardstick to adults, so why should we to babies? A baby is not a possession, an accessory to acquire. A baby is
a gift, a new entity, a precious, individual soul loved by God. We are created for a purpose, there is a reason for our
being here. Even if that reason is unclear to us most of the time, we are constantly affecting other people in our
families, communities etc. Who knows what purpose can be fulfilled in 9 months and one day? I dont know, but
God does. I do know that Benedict left a lasting impression on our family, he made us slow down, savour life, and
treasure our other children even more. He made us realise that we cannot control or predict what will happen in
the future, he made us rely on God. And how often are we given the opportunity to really give another person true
unconditional love? Love that truly expects no return? It is a blessing to experience that kind of pure love!
So dont pity us for carrying a child we know will die. Carrying this beautiful person is an honour. Grieve for the
fact that our baby will die. We wouldnt wish away the time we had with Benedict, and also this time we are now
experiencing with Charlotte, just to save us the pain of losing them. Ive always thought of it like this; if your 3 year
old was diagnosed with untreatable, fatal cancer and had only 4 months to live; would you prefer the doctor kill your
child straight away so that you didnt have to wait for his/her impending death? Or would you prefer to spend as
much time as you could with your child and love him/her for as long as you had left?
Someone asked us after Benedict died, Was it worth it? Oh, YES! For the chance to hold him, and see him, and love
him before letting him go ... For the chance for our children to see that we would never stop loving them, regardless
of their imperfections? For the chance to give him everything we could? Oh, YES! Love your children, and remember
that they each have their own unique mission. Children are always and only a blessing from God - even if they dont
stay very long...
(Read full story on p3.)
Page 1