The Skeptical OB wrote a very nice article about our family.  Abel Andrews, Superhero!
It is so nice to hear that your struggle has protected others.  It makes the burden a little lighter.  My son is my hero, too!  He tries harder than anyone I have ever met and makes me laugh every day!  Thanks Dr Amy, for thinking of us and for your work educationing others. 

November 27th, 2013 I received a phone call from my lawyer to inform me that  The State of Oregon has received Sovereign Immunity  in Abel's lawsuit.  Two and a half years of isolation, depositions and hope all crashing down around us.  I don't remember what all was said, and I have yet to read the latest manila envelope of neatly typed legal jargon that followed promptly in the mail.    When my husband came home I was wailing, surrounded by my half prepped Thanksgiving dishes.  Wailing is not crying.  It is deeper. Like a scream and a roar from deep in your gut. Primal and raw, normally for the shower where the sound of the water can drowned it all out.  But there my husband found me. He held me and I told him what they had said.  He sat for a minute and I studied his face watching. Waiting for him to say "That's not right, that's not fair!" Waiting for him to say, "What about when we are old, what about when we are gone . . . who will take care of Abel than . . .  we need a van.  we need a handicap accessible home!  We did our part!!  We were brave.  We told the truth.  We are RIGHT.  They all know it.  Abel MATTERS. What happened to our son should be acknowledged. THIS ISN'T FAIR!!!"   Instead he closed his eyes let out a surprised sigh with a whoosh and said, "I thought your brother . . . I thought someone had died."  (My brother is in the Special Forces and I had not heard from him in a quit a while.)  Then he brushed his hands on his pants and said "Welp, that sucks." and than he helped me up  . . . and that was kind of that.  I finished making dinner and he sat and colored with Abel. We decided to wait until after the holidays to tell our friends and family  so that we could sit back and enjoy the twinkle lights with our son for his 4th Christmas.  It was the best one yet.

Motherwise Birth Center is no longer in business.  As far as I know, Christyn King is living in Vermont and working as a doula.  Nicole Tucker is working to become a lactation consultant/fertility counselor/hypnotherapist.  Dana Johnson is still a practicing midwife in Bend.  We will continue to find a way to bring proper regulation and evidence based standards to midwifery in Oregon.  We will continue to share Abel's story to honor him and protect others.  We will continue to laugh and grow and love and fight for our son.  We are not dead yet!

Happy New Year!

“Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else.”
― Tom Stoppard

We received a surprise envelope full of Westview High students' volunteer time sheets.  I was so moved by both the time they put in for Abel and also the comments that many of them shared.  It was such a great reminder of the beauty, not only in giving but in receiving.  Thank you so much to everyone who has so generously given up their time, energy and love for our family. 

I truly believe that when your moment of truth comes
(as it does for everyone),
Life will give back to you, all that you gave to us and more.
With hearts full of gratitude,

The Andrews Family

here is just a few of the  Westview High School Students thoughts when asked

"Having CP myself, I know what its like to struggle + the power of community.  I have always longed to "give back" because so many people have done this for me.  I am honored to help towards this cause.  Abel is truly a joy + inspiration who has touched the heart of all. <3
-Maria, grade 9                                                                                                        +1 hr

"Abel is such an Inspiration! Always give 100%! Keep it up Abel. We all LOVE you.
-Emily, grade 12                                                                                                      + 1 hr

"Dear Abel, you are the bravest and happiest little boy I have ever seen.  I admire you for all you have been through at such a young age.  You have such a wonderful mother who loves you and even though I don't know you, I love you too :) 
Stay strong and Never give up!  <3
-Rachel, grade 10                                                                                                   + 1 hr

"Helping Abel is to show others that, helping somebody else can help us come closer as a community and even a huge family."
-Karen, grade 9                                                                                                      + 1 hr

"Hello Abel!  Helping you has meant so much to me.  I feel blessed to have been able to do such a simple act and have such an impact and meaning towards your life and your disease.  You have inspired me to volunteer more to be able to help more people and to really make a difference in others lives and the community.  I also want to thank your mom for seeking help and loving you and everyone else.  She truly is a hero, Abel." 
-Isabella, grade 10                                                                                               + 1/2 hr

"Helping Abel has made me realize that there is more to the world then just my point of view.  It's made me see that I can help make a difference + one person can help other people.  I'm so happy I could be a part of this!"
-Emalee grade 12                                                                                                 + 23 hrs

"The moment I saw Abel on the billboards around the school, I knew I had to volunteer for him. His story is so inspiring and I feel so honored to be a part of this!"
-Aubrie, grade 10                                                                                                + 1 hr

"It made me feel a lot more of worth.  I went to a retirement home expecting to be bored and actually had a lot of fun talking to the people there.  I even talked to the activities coordinator trying to organize another time to go.  It makes me feel better that I am not only making my life better but also Abel's and the people I visited.  I hope everything turns out well."
-Mariah, grade 10                                                                                              + 3 1/2 hrs

"for Abel: Stay Strong and don't lose faith!  we'll be Praying for you. God Bless <3"
-Esther, grade 10                                                                                               + 1 hr

"It felt good to know that I'm making a difference in someone's life and allowed me to realize that I have a lot to be thankful for."
-Hanna, grade 10                                                                                              + 1 hr

"Abel you are such a sweetheart!  Stay strong buddy :)  You give us hope.
-Joyce, grade 10                                                                                               +1/2 hr

"Abel, you are such a sweetheart!  I want you to have the best life possible because you deserve it.  I hope you do well in the future.  Helping you has made me realize how much I take my own good health for granted, and I won't do that anymore thanks to you!  I wish you luck in the years to come."
-Samantha, grade 10                                                                                        + 1/2 hr

"If I were in the same situation, I know how much this support would mean to me.  To me it's about taking a few hours of your time to do something good."
-Katy, grade 12                                                                                                 + 11.5 hrs                                                                                   

"I loved helping with the special needs colorguard, because they were all so happy and grateful, but it's even better to know that I helped Abel.  He's so sweet."
-Hayley, grade 11                                                                                             + 5 hrs

"Abel!  You are such a strong little man!  I'm so grateful that Westview -me included! -gets to help provide you with a better future.  It was my pleasure to go to the Oregon Food Bank & service Oregon's hungry, but it was an even greater feeling knowing my time could not only go to those individuals, but that it could also extend to you.  You're a fighter-and all of us here at WHS have our bets on you!  <3 Erika :)
-Erika, grade 11                                                                                                + 5 hrs

"Hi, Abel :) You are really cute and I love your smile :D  Hope you become stronger! and thanks for giving this great oppurtunity to Westview!  I'll cheer for you <3
-Suzy, grade 10                                                                                                 + 1/2 hr

"It means that I am helping put a smile on his face and his parents and that makes me smile." -Jake, grade 9                                                                                        + 1 hr

"I had my only grandpa suffer from sickness back in my home country (Kenya).  He was a really great person and I think the only grandpa that I've even seen in real life.  My family and I never knew what his sickness was or what caused it but it was very bad. We couldn't do anything about it but pray for him.  Now he is in a better place.  I wanted to help Abel because I am able to."
-Abdi                                                                                                                    + 1 hr

"Helping Abel has changed me as a person and I can't have a greater respect for you and Abel. :)  I hope the best for you guys!  I pray for you, Bye!
-Danievone, grade 10                                                                                          + 1 hr

"Having an oppurtunity to help Abel <3 live a better life has given me more appreciation for the life I have.  It's great to know that I can give money to his family just by giving up some of my time."
-Victoria, grade 11                                                                                              + 5 hrs

" I tried my best to get (volunteer) hours.  You are Amazing Abel! :D
-Yasmina, grade 9                                                                                               +6.5 hrs

"I really liked helping them (special needs color guard kids), because it made me feel really good.  When they're happy and smile, I'm smiling too.  I'm really glad that I can help Abel. :) -Franziska                                                                                       + 5 hrs

"It meant a lot to me that I was a small part in helping him have a bright future.  It made me realize I can do a lot of little things to have a bright impact."
- Heather, grade 10                                                                                             + 1 hr

"Helping Abel has given me a different kind of satisfaction.  I've done volunteer work and community service before, but I had never actually met the people I was helping.  It feels much different to know who it is that you are helping while you're doing it.  I feel like this is also more personal now and it means a lot to me to be apart of a school effort to help this little boy."
-Stephanie, grade 12                                                                                          +  1 hr                    

"It means a lot to me to be able to help such a sweet boy to get the care he needs because everyone deserves that."
-Laura, grade 11                                                                                                  + 1 hr

"Abel deserves a fantastic life and I feel grateful that I, myself, was given the opportunity to help him."
- Leeya, grade 9                                                                                                  +10 hrs

"I'm glad I could help.  I really connected to Abel and SO happy to be able to help! :) Good Luck!" -Haley, grade 12                                                                             +22.5 hrs

"It has made me feel like I made a difference, like I've really helped someone in need out.  Out of my free time, putting away selfishness, I have built character, along with my heart growing a littler bigger knowing this kid is being helped.  I hope the best for this little boy; he is going through an unbelievable challenge and deserves the best support he can get.  And knowing I played a part makes me feel good."
-Spencer, grade 10                                                                                               + 1 hr

"helping our community as a volunteer brings a sense of community & togetherness.  It benefits our Sparrow, Abel, and makes me proud and glad to be a part of something that can make his life better."
-Jeannette, grade 11                                                                                           + 6.5 hrs

"I am happy to help Abel pay for his therapy sessions."
-Jaleasa, grade 10                                                                                               +30 hrs