Rebecca Balfe is a former editor for Love What Matters. She resides in NYC, owning and rescuing adorable cats. She is an avid Lupus fighter and advocate.
‘I did something wrong.’ He turned blue. I dropped to my knees. ‘Sorry, we can’t help you.’: Baby born with rare genetic condition, ‘We won’t give up if he doesn’t’
“‘Prepare yourself. I don’t know what’s happening with your baby.’ His size confused them. The moment we waited for finally arrived.”
‘Choose someone tall, give the kid a chance!’ We laughed until it became, ‘You don’t deserve this.’: LGBTQ couple pregnant with rainbow baby, ‘We can’t wait to be mommies’
“‘You waited too long!’ Funds were low. I was scared I’d never feel like ME again. ‘Please, let this be the one.’”
‘Drag me to the kitchen!’ I did what any self-respecting millennial would. I Googled ‘gunshot wound first aid.’: Man survives home invasion attack, ‘I’d choose a wheelchair over a hearse any day’
“I heard a loud bang. My legs dropped out from underneath me. My last memory was being placed in a helicopter.”
‘I wish you’d die, no one likes you.’ A hate page contained LOADS of info on me. The police got involved.’: Cystic Fibrosis warrior details journey, ‘Now I have time to start a family’
“‘She’ll be lucky to make it to 31.’ I curled up into a ball in her arms and sobbed. I was only 8.”
‘There’s one sac and 2 heartbeats! Hang on, there’s a THIRD!’ They thought I stole the photo.’: Mom births rare miracle triplets after loss
“The nurse was SHOCKED. ‘It’s so rare I’ve never seen it in ALL the years I’ve been doing this!’ It was now out of my hands.”
‘This is a mistake! She CAN’T be mine.’ I turned everyone away from the hospital. I thought I ruined our lives.’: Special needs mom details Down syndrome journey
“My vision of perfection vanished and I felt disconnected. It was painful to say the words. But it had been her all along.”
‘URGENT ADOPTION’ was in red marker. She left me breathless. I BEGGED for help. The fight was ON.’: Grieving couple inspired to adopt baby with Down syndrome
“I covered my mouth and held back tears. I felt like the entire earth had dropped out from under me. If I’m being truthful, I never thought it would be MY baby.”
‘Are you my birth mom?’ I fought tears. ‘She searched all over for a Daddy and Papa who’d take care of you.’: Dads discuss blessing of open adoption
“‘I don’t have a mother.’ They see ‘mommies’ come to pick their kids up every day. ‘We searched everywhere for you, baby.’”
‘I’m stuck at my parent’s with a baby I don’t deserve. My 19-year-old body was overwhelmed.’: Mom forgives herself for her past, embraces blended family
“‘I don’t deserve to mother him.’ Am I mom or a person? He was too perfect and I was too flawed. I had to forgive myself.’”
‘Mama, I don’t want you to be sick.’ It stabbed me in the heart. ‘It’s going to be fixed.’ It was blow after blow.’: Woman battles breast cancer, ‘Tomorrow isn’t promised’
“I get emotional watching mothers with their kids on their wedding days, wondering if I’ll ever get the chance.”