Gift of Life: Promoting Pro-Life in the Mainstream Media

Opinion   |   Governor Mike Huckabee and David N. Bossie   |   Nov 17, 2011   |   11:25AM   |   Washington, DC

Time and again the pro-abortion movement has successfully teamed up with the mainstream media to get their message out to the masses.  It’s a glaring example of how liberal media bias pushes an agenda.  It is incumbent upon those who believe life starts at conception to fight back for the pro-life cause on the main stage by using the stories all around us that will touch the hearts and minds of Americans.

We have teamed up to produce The Gift of Life, an hour long documentary that explores the sanctity of life as a moral issue and looks at the lives of individuals who have been personally affected by the scourge of abortion.  We hear the voice of Rebecca Kiessling, who was conceived in rape and almost aborted twice.  James Robison tells of his mother’s decision to abort him being changed by prayer and a doctor’s conviction.  By the grace of God, those featured in the film were saved from the abortionist, but an estimated 1.2 million children are murdered every year because of the unjust decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton.

The prevalence and acceptance of abortion has led to a culture of pessimism and death that manifests itself in many ways, even beyond the womb.  One of the most touching personal stories The Gift of Life highlights is that of Chet McDoniel.  Chet was born in January of 1980 with no arms and shortened legs.  Without telling Chet’s parents, the delivery doctor put Chet into the corner of the hospital room and gave him minimal care on the chance that he would die. According to Chet, “[The doctor] said if my body was as mangled on the inside as it was on the outside that I would be better off dead.”  This unconscionable malpractice by a deranged doctor showcases how contempt and indifference toward any life can become contempt and indifference toward every life.  Today, Chet is a successful small businessman and a motivational speaker.  Chet also has brought life into this world by starting a family of his own with his wife.

Another personal story in the The Gift of Life is that of Dr. Anthony Levatino.  Years ago Dr. Levatino, a pro-abortion OBGYN, and his wife were trying to start a family but had fertility problems.  By day Dr. Levatino was performing abortions and by night he was on the phone trying desperately to adopt.  Dr. Levatino says in The Gift of Life, “I remember literally being in the middle of a first trimester suction D&C abortion and looking at these pieces in the bag and thinking, ‘God, I’m just throwing these kids in the garbage.’” Dr. Levatino eventually was able to adopt a baby girl and he and his wife were again blessed to at last give birth to a baby boy.

Then tragedy struck when their adopted daughter Heather was struck by a car and killed in front of their home. Dr. Levatino eventually returned to work after the worst nightmare of any parent came true. As he was performing his first abortion since his daughter’s death, Dr. Levatino says in The Gift of Life, “I wasn’t thinking of this as anything special, it was totally routine. I had other things on my mind. And I reached in with that sopher clamp and I pulled out an arm or a leg. I stared at it in the clamp and I got sick.”  Dr. Levatino stopped performing abortions, and now is an ardent pro-life proponent.

The Gift of Life also profiles leaders in the pro-life movement.  These exceptional advocates work tirelessly everyday to protect life and to make sure that our just cause never dies.  While we were working with Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of the great pro-life organization Students for Life of America, she mentioned that one of her field directors was pregnant.  It was a great moment for us to film a 3D/4D ultrasound for the documentary.  Kortney Blythe Gordon, her husband, and her mother-in-law shared what was one of the happiest times of their lives – learning the sex of the baby.  During Kortney’s ultrasound we were introduced to Sophy, the living baby girl in Kortney’s womb.  Tragically, just a few short days later, Kortney and her pre-born baby Sophy were killed in an auto accident while Kortney was attending a Students for Life Conference in Georgia.  Another Students for Life staffer would later die of his injuries from the crash.  This unspeakable tragedy touched everyone associated with this film and we were all reminded how life is truly so precious.  Kortney’s wonderful legacy will be honored in our film forever.

These are just a few of the heartfelt personal tales you will experience in our film The Gift of Life and anyone from the most most passionate advocate for life to the most hardened abortion defender will be touched by the humanity these stories bring to the issue.  The Gift of Life brings the viewer into the real lives of people affected and on the front lines in the abortion debate.  This inspirational film can be ordered right now at https://www.TheGiftOfLifeMovie.com.  Please go to our website and help support this important project today.   

LifeNews Note: Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has teamed with Citizens United Productions President David N. Bossie to host and produce the inspirational pro-life documentary The Gift of Life, which can be purchased today at https://www.TheGiftOfLifeMovie.com.