VIDEO: Ultrasound Shows Rare Disease, Mom Refuses Abortion

After an ultrasound at 19 weeks, Chelsea and Curtis Lush were told that their new baby may never make it past her birth. Doctors recommended terminating the pregnancy and donating the fetus to science, but Lush decided that abortion was not an option. Zoe Lush was born with a rare disease known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which can be summed up in three words – constant broken bones. The awful disease has never stopped Zoe from living, though. She has raced in her wheelchair at the playground and has even played the role of flower girl in a wedding.

Watch the video and read the full story below, provided by Liftable.

Chelsea and Curtis Lush of Huntington Beach, California, received some devastating news after an ultrasound at 19 weeks – their new baby may never make it past her birth.

“The specialist recommended that we could just terminate the pregnancy and then donate the fetus to science,” Chelsea recalled. Even though it appeared they would face a long and difficult road ahead, the Lush’s decided abortion was not an option. “It was more than that to us,” Chelsea shared. “It was our first child together.”

Zoe Lush was born with a rare disease known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta. “When Zoe was a really little baby,” her mom said, “she would break from the wind.” There are several types of OI, a genetic disorder that can be summed up in three words. Constant broken bones. Basically, Zoe’s bones are weak and highly susceptible to breaking from even the smallest things. “When we were changing Zoe’s diaper,” Curtis said, “in the beginning it took three of us.” Zoe confirmed every break has been painful. Still, she’s remained full of light, always with a smile on her face.

Day in and day out, the Lush’s have cared for their daughter, even splinting her broken bones themselves. But Zoe’s Type III OI hasn’t kept her from living. “We have… all of the splinting supplies to do it ourselves,” her mom said. “…we carry it with us in our bag everywhere we go.” And go everywhere they have. Zoe has raced in her wheelchair at the playground, and has even played the role of flower girl in a wedding.

Zoe’s mom shared an important message. A message she wants everyone to know. “I would not change Zoe,” she said. “If I could take her OI back I would never ever take it back.” The family has continued to live with hope, and Chelsea opened up about what she desires for her daughter. “In the future I hope that Zoe has just as well of an opportunity as everybody else,” she said. And Zoe hasn’t slowed down. She holds dreams like you and me, and one of them includes having her own toy review channel on YouTube.

Zoe has defied the odds, having lived years past when doctors believed she would. She’s an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Zoe, for showing us what it means to truly live and love despite difficult circumstances!

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