Bella's Gift : How One Little Girl Transformed Our Family and Inspired a Nation

This book is Rick and Karen Santorum's inspiring story of life with Bella, their special-needs youngest child. Four days after Rick and Karen Santorum welcomed their eighth baby into the world they were given the devastating news that their little girl, Bella, was going to die. The full story of life with Bella has never been told until now. This inspiring family memoir explores what it means to embrace and celebrate the life of each person, and find hope, even in the midst of painful challenges. Bella's Gift is the story of how the entire family came together to love and care for Bella and how God strengthened them during the storms and blessed their family with grace, peace, and joy. Searchingly honest, faith filled, and surprisingly joyful, Bella's Gift is a loving, lived-out testimony to the truth that everyone counts, even "the least of these." - Publisher. Four days after Rick and Karen Santorum welcomed their eighth baby into the world they were given the devastating news that their little girl, Bella, was going to die. Born with a rare genetic condition called Trisomy 18, or Edward's Syndrome; 90 percent don't make it to their first birthday. The Santorums choose to embrace and celebrate her life, and found hope, even in the midst of painful challenges. They explain how God strengthened them during the storms and blessed their family with grace, peace, and joy Love is a leap of faith Love necessitates trust Love through pain Love engages the will Love through changes Love is persistent Love is heroic Love implies sacrifice Love obligates knowledge of the beloved Love is unconditional Love is patient Love requires vulnerability Love unifies Love encourages selflessness Love begets peace Love chooses joy Love gives purpose Love brings hope Bella's Gift details the peaks and valleys, the joys and sufferings, and the incredible value of life with a special needs child. In a world that often measures worth according to usefulness, Bella's story is a reminder that our real value lies in our capacity to love. Shares how the Santorum's eighth child Bella has changed their family, exploring what it means to embrace and celebrate the life of each person, and find hope, even in the midst of painful challenges. --Publisher's description A Politician And His Wife Share The Inspiring Story Of Life With Their Special-needs Youngest Child.