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NRL News
College
Leadership Conference Offers Hope for the Future What do you get when you combine three pro-life med students, a dynamic pro-life district attorney, 16 pro-life college leaders, and lots of information about abortion and euthanasia? A new cutting-edge drama on the Family Channel? Nope. (Although, now that I think about it ... ) What you get is Wisconsin Right to Life’s second annual College Leadership Conference. Amid the beautiful fall colors of Wisconsin, this year’s conference brought together leaders from colleges across the state. They literally came from the north, south, east, and west to learn more about how they can make a difference for life on their campuses. And make no mistake, they are making an incredible difference! During their two days together, attendees learned about the legal differences between humanity and personhood as it relates to the life issues, post-abortion syndrome, the history of the pro-life movement, and the dangers of euthanasia. They were also treated to an inspiring session on leadership by a pro-life district attorney, and given some guidelines for the upcoming fall elections. But all of that background can’t convey the feeling that comes from being in a room surrounded by pro-life collegians who want nothing more than to answer the call to defend the lives of the vulnerable. Take the topic of euthanasia, for example. When asked how many of them were first brought into the Movement because of the abortion issue, more than 95% of those in attendance raised their hands. This is typical. But by the end of the conference, these future leaders were just as passionate about ending the evils of euthanasia as they were about stopping the horror of abortion. One young lady tearfully explained to us the day of the euthanasia session was the 10-year anniversary of her grandfather’s death by euthanasia. He had suffered a heart attack, was in the hospital recuperating, and suffered a second heart attack. At this point, his doctor strongly urged his family to remove his life support, as there was “no chance” that he would “recover.” This young lady says that to this day her mother relives the look of terror on her father’s face as his ventilator was removed. Had their family known then what they know now about the culture of death that permeates the medical profession, they would never have agreed to let it happen. But, in her words, “you’re trained to assume that doctors know more than you do; that you can trust them to make the right decision.” Her story was echoed by many others, each of whom had their own personal connection to the issue. This brings to mind another highlight of the conference. In attendance were three pro-life medical students from the Medical College of Milwaukee. To spend several days in the company of doctors who will use their training to save the lives of the vulnerable was pretty much heaven on earth for this pro-life advocate. To have one of them pull me aside in the hall after my talk and ask how he could be sure to choose a hospital that will allow him to accept endangered patients on transfer made me wonder briefly if I were dreaming. And the words of the young medical student who started the pro-life group on his campus should encourage us all. He shared that the “pro-choice” group on their campus is having a difficult time finding anyone to join their group, but that the pro-life group is flourishing. This is yet further proof that this generation of young people will take their pro-life views with them to college, med school, law school, and beyond that into their careers where they will fight to save the lives of the unborn and vulnerable. Is that reason to hope? You bet it is!!! |