My name is David Joseph, I am 11 years old and I am thankful to be alive. When I was conceived my mother was faced with a tough decision, whether to have an abortion ,or to have me. I believe she made the best decision, since as you can see, I stand before you speaking today.

Without life I could not see a sunset or feel the comfort of a hug. I would be denied the gentleness of a breeze, I would be denied the sensation of diving into a cool pool on a hot summers day, or enjoying the laughter that comes with having pillow fights with my mom and my friends, or even the wonderment I feel in the presence of God when I attend church.

My mother explained to me along time ago all that happened and how my life came about, along with the reasons and the ways she was going to love , nurture , respect and care for me. Then, now and in the future.

I am very thankful to this organization [A Better Choice Women’s Center] for my life and for the work it does for others.

ABC Women’s center has a wonderful gift to give all pregnant women and that gift is knowledge. The knowledge to make decisions, to know the facts of life, the real facts.

If my own mom had not gone to ABC Women’s Center, she would have never known my heart was already beating or that I was stretching and moving inside her, even though she could not feel me. This is truth, this is knowledge.

If I could, I would like to read you a definition for the word Exist.

Exist: To be, to live, to endure. With that in mind, think about this: If you can not see, hear, touch or feel something does that mean it does not exist?

A tiny fetus growing slowly and miraculously inside the womb cannot be felt at first, cannot be seen or even heard, but we know it is there with time and that would mean it does exist.

Like when something bad happens and you want it to get better you have hope. You cannot see, touch or hear hope but, as we all know hope exists.

Just as today I exist, however, if the ABC Women’s Center had not been around 12 years ago, I would NOT be standing before you. I would not exist.

I would have been denied the very life God has planned for me.

Even though I realize I will become what I will through the experiences of my life, and the guidance of God through prayer, my future is not there for me to see in detail, but whatever happens, my life will be blessed.

This is in thanks to God, my mom, and The ABC Women’s Center; and for the countless people I will meet in the future who’s mom’s where pro-life too.

God Bless the people of ABC Women’s Center. Thank you for your time.