Skip to main content

The Right Choice Video

A week ago today I watched a video that I'd linked to from Facebook about a young woman named Lizzie. Lizzie used flash cards which cover her face during the video to tell her story. She told of her diagnosis with a syndrome that was so rare it was unnamed. It distorted her facial features and interfered with her ability to gain weight. Lizzie looks dramatically different than most people. She tells the story of being in high school and someone taking an 8 second video of her, putting it on YouTube, and titling it "World's Ugliest Woman." She explains how some of the comments on the video would say "Do the world a favor and kill yourself" and how it hurt her, but instead of getting revenge, she got even. Lizzie set goals for herself to prove that she is an amazing person, and she accomplished all of those goals, such as graduating college and having a family. At the end of the video Lizzie removes the flash cards and you get to see her face. Personally, I thought she was beautiful!

This video inspired me so much because I can relate to knowing how it feels to look different. It may not be me that looks different, but the stares at my son hurt no less than if they were at me. I thought about how devastated I would be if someone said something to my Christian like they said to Lizzie, that the world would be better without him in it.

So I decided that I have a story to tell, too. And a plan began hatching in my head. I sat down right there at work on my lunch break and wrote out the note cards on cut up pieces of notebook paper. The plan rolled around in my head for the rest of the day, and when I got home that night, I sat down at my computer and ran through a practice video once. Then I grabbed my Christian and we made the video that I posted!

I posted it to YouTube that night and got about 600 views. Then someone suggested I upload it to GodTube, so I did. Two days later I got a call at 7:30 in the morning from a friend. She wanted to tell me that she had gotten an e-mail from GodTube and my face was plastered right at the top of the e-mail! My video had been chosen as the highlighted video of the day!

Before midnight that night, my video had received over 20,000 hits! In the next 4 days, that number has doubled to over 40,000 hits! The video has received almost 200 comments, all of which have been encouraging and so sweet! I have received countless Facebook friend requests in the last few days, and so many encouraging comments.

I am absolutely blown away by the response that the video has had. I never imagined it would be this big, but I have definitely learned a lesson in not underestimating God's ability to use people.

 I am humbled and awestruck with the fact that God is using my son to fulfill His purpose! I just can't wait to see how He uses Christian in the future!

So below is the link to the video on GodTube just in case anyone hasn't seen it yet! Thank you so much to everyone who is supporting us in our journey!!

The Right Choice - Christian's Story

Comments

  1. Chills are running down my spine Lacey! What a beautiful video! I plan on posting it on my blog as well as my Facebook if you don't care. Glad to hear your doing well! Christian is growing to be such a little cutie! His smile makes me smile!

    ReplyDelete
  2. love ur video I cried through the whole thing.are u on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  3. Everyone needs to see your video Lacey
    Christian is Beautiful. God has a great plan for him.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for posting your video. As an expectant mommy to a baby with some obstacles, this was so inspiring. I hope I am half the momma you are!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was one of the many people your video touched, your little boy is so inspiring! I have a daughter who was a much wanted baby 12 days after she was born she was diagnosed with a rare condition called Smith Magenis Syndrome she amazes me everyday and just like your beautiful boy has the ability to make people fall in love with her. Lots of Love from the UK x x

    ReplyDelete
  6. I cried and cried watching your video. There's no doubt you and your son are both beautiful. God is making great wonders through and for your son's life.

    Love in Jesus, Sheryl

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you so much for having the courage to share your story and your beautiful son with us, Lacey. With today's social media linking us moms together, we have so much hope for genuine support, information sharing, and meaningful advocacy. I would love to friend you on facebook! I am also a tireless advocate for kids with disabilities and for life - womb to tomb. My son was diagnosed with autism at 2 1/2...genetic testing is coming closer to finding ways to diagnose autistic kids in utero, and when they do, I fear that people will abort them based on an only-sometimes-right test as they do with Downs Syndrome kids now...without ever knowing how transformative and amazing these little ones can be! My deepest fear is that eugenics enthusiasts will make it so difficult for these beautiful children to be born that they become extinct! We have so much to learn from them about love, grace, God, ourselves...I would love to share life with you via FB and support you in anyway I can by sharing information, stories, or just moral support. Please give me a way to find which Lacey Buchanan you are?

    ReplyDelete
  8. You and your precious son are truly amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing your story! Life hands us challenges but it is how we react to those challenges that truly defines us. You are an inspiration to us all. When I watched your video, I noticed there were more than 3,000,000 views. That is making a difference. A life is a life, no matter what challenges is brings and you made the right choice! Christian deserved to be here and you made sure that happened for him!! Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise! Never...Never would I ever destroy a precious child of God because it would bring adversity to my life. Through these precious ones, we learn of the divinity of God. Christian is BEAUTIFUL!! The pictures of him smiling were just filled with heavenly light. It is amazing to me the impact such a perfect little man has made on the world because he had a faithful mama who stood her ground. I can't applaud you enough!! You are truly AMAZING!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just watched your video and I cried the whole time. I love how your face reflects what you are saying in the notes. It made me so sad to see your face when you wrote about worrying about Christian's health and how awful people were when they saw you in public. It hurts my heart that people can be that cruel and heartless, but I know they can. But when you talked about getting married, finding out you were pregnant and how much you love your son, your face lit up and it made me cry even more--but in a good way. I'll be sharing this video on my facebook page and asking my friends to pray for blessings to pour down on your family. I'm so glad your beautiful son is here on earth with us.

    Holly Jessen
    North Dakota

    ReplyDelete
  10. PS I heard this Christian song for the first time at a concert last night and I cried the whole way through. I have been through some pain in my life (like so many people.) The pain that we go through makes us the people that we are. We can choose to get angry and bitter or we can turn to God and let him turn our pain to joy. Perhaps you will be touched by this song as well.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AjIagi7QKHQ

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just saw your video, and you are such an amazing woman. It brought me to tears. Your little boy is so lucky to have you as his mother, someone who saw him as a little baby and not just "a clump of cells" that could be thrown away at the first sign of trouble. Instead, he got a mommy (and daddy!) who can see beyond some birth defects, no matter what they are and really see him. We need more people like your family in this world. It'd be a better place. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lacey- Your video with your precious son brought me to tears. What a blessing you are to your family and to EVERYONE who values life. You are amazing. God Bless you, your husband and Christian!

    Janalin Hood

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your video was awesome...in the truest sense of the word. My daughter was also born with a cleft palate last year, also in TN. She just had her palate repair surgery a few months ago, which was definitely the hardest thing I've ever gone through. Seeing your child in pain and being unable to help is beyond painful. I'm so glad Christian is healthy and very clearly one happy little munchkin! Your smile in the video is luminous and joyful and Christian has the same smile.

    Big hugs to you and a huge smooch to your little sweetpea! xx
    Becky

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great video. Thirty years ago, my wife and I went through a similar experience. Our daughter was also born without eyes and some other problems. Not to the extent of Christian but significant. I know how you feel, and I'm sure you know that it's not going to be easy. Shortly after my little girl was born someone gave me this. Hope it provides some encouragement:

    Did you ever wonder how mothers of
    special needs children
    were chosen?
    Somehow I visualize God hovering
    over the earth selecting
    his instruments of propagation with great care and deliberation. As He
    observes, He instructs His angels to
    make notes in a giant ledger.
    "This one gets a daughter.
    The Patron saint will be Cecelia"
    "This one gets twins.
    The Patron saint will be Matthew"
    "This one gets a son.
    The Patron saint.....give her Gerard.
    He's used to profanity"
    Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles.
    "Give her a specia needs child".
    The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy"
    "Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a special needs child to a mother who
    does not know laughter?
    That would be cruel!"
    "But has she patience?" asks the angel.
    I don't want her to have too much patience or she will
    drown in a sea of sorrow and despair.
    Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her
    today, she has that feeling of self and independence that is so necessary
    in a mother.
    You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to
    make him live in her world
    and that's not going to be easy."
    "But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you"
    God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that.
    This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness"
    The angel gasps - "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"
    God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally she
    won't survive.
    Yes here is a woman whom
    I will bless with a child less than perfect.
    She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied.
    She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider any 'step' ordinary.
    When her child says "Momma" for the first time she will be present at a
    miracle and will know it.
    I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...
    ignorance, cruelty and prejudice...
    and allow her to rise above them.
    She will never be alone.
    I will be at her side every
    minute of every day of her life because she is doing
    my work as surely as if she is here by my side"
    "And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel,
    his pen poised in mid air.
    God smiles "A mirror will suffice"

    Eddie and Angel

    ReplyDelete
  15. What an amazing story about Christian! He is a child of God and truly a miracle. He is adorable and God has a great purpose for Christian. I'm sorry that ignorant people are rude to you. People will find a reason to point/stare/tease regardless of appearance. I am Korean married to a blonde hair/blue eye stud and I always feel like people stare at us. I can't imagine aborting a child either for any reason. A life is a life. As a nurse, I am appalled at the treatment you described at Vanderbilt. Shame on those nurses! What a disgrace to their profession. I know good things are going to happen in yours and Christian's life and you don't know the impact you've already had on people's lives. I pray for your future, his and your marriage as well.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi there, I saw your video and I want to tell you about how much love I was feeling from watching that video. You and your husband are amazing people and I wish you all the best. Christian is beautiful, with a life ahead full of love and joy. My spirit has been renewed watching that video, I truly am inspired by your love for your child and by Christian's smile. God bless you all. You and your husband have made the right choice. I know people can be cruel and horrible and I am glad that none of that crud phases you anymore. I live in Florida and would love to send Christian something from Disney. After all, he and I share a very similar name! My name is Christine. Good luck & God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you for posting this beautiful and inspiring video. This is love in its absolute purest form. Sending you and Christian blessings and hugs - Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  18. I posted this on the Godvine site, as well, but I wanted to make sure you saw it:
    You are an AWESOME mom, and the world needs more parents like you! When the time is right, don't hesitate to give Christian a sibling (or more!) ... the love in your family needs to be multiplied! :-) We can all learn so much from it!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I saw your video just a few minutes ago. It touched my heart and I would love to learn more about you and Christian.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  21. What an amazing and beautiful video!!!! You are a true example of just precious a mothers love is! I hope you have a happy and blessed mothers day!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your seed will grow and you will leave this world with beauty because you loved and nurtured this child.
    I know, I had a child with a congenital defect. Multiple surgeries later, lots of trials, tribulations and incredulous patience I have no regrets for I know that my legacy will make this a better world for all.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Lacey,

    Your video is so inspiring and your son is beautiful! I just posted your video on my blog, it is perfect for mother's day and I sincerely find you & your son so inspiring...! Thank You... <3 <3

    <3 Jesse

    ReplyDelete
  24. I saw your video, and was truly touched and humbled. you are truly an amazing person. Christian is very very lucky God chose you to be his mother. I just want to wish you Happy Mother's Day, and wishing you much love and happiness.

    love, Grace (malaysia)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Lacey: It is a blessing to know there are so many people that love the Lord. Just look at how your video has moved and inspired people from all over the world. It has certainly moved me. Wish I could know you, Christian, and your whole family. Our prayers go out for all of you. There are enough tools of Satan around. Your family are the tools of the Living God, and may you be richly blessed.
    - Ed in GA

    ReplyDelete
  26. Lacey --
    You have a beautiful son. I have experienced what it feels like to be told my child could have special needs, but even then cannot imagine your daily journey. I work for a healthcare IT company called Cerner that has an amazing charitable foundation called First Hand. They assist with the costs of medical procedures related to rare and not-so-rare conditions world wide. If you ever have the need for more expensive procedures Christian's health, I hope you look them up and apply to the organization with his needs. https://applications.cerner.com/firsthand/

    Take care...

    ReplyDelete
  27. Lacey,

    God bless you and your husband for accepting this precious gift. He is a Preacher of the Good News that all life is to be treasured.

    In Christ

    Fr. Daniel

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your an Amazing women, Really you are and your Babies groreous! The universe will give you and baby all it needs and more...

    Love Luiza Mabaso from South Africa

    ReplyDelete
  29. Loved, loved, loved your video! The songs accompanying it were perfect as well! Loved your smile and your love for Christian shine through!

    ReplyDelete
  30. There really aren't words for what I'd like to be able to express to you... I saw your video the other night and it really touched me. I am a newer mom myself, had my first in September of 2011. I know how challenging it can be to just be a new mom and cannot imagine how you felt dealing with seeing Christian with his struggles, the NICU stay, surgeries, etc. I have nothing but respect and admiration for you. You are an amazing mother and Chrisitian is so very lucky to have you in his life. I'm from Murfreesboro, TN and we are all lucky to have you in the area, as from your blog it is clear you are going to be a great champion for not only Christian, but for all with extra needs and also educating the "general public" on how to treat others with respect and dignity. You and Christian are so very inspirational and I will be praying for you both. Christian is a handsome boy and I wish you both all the best. I'll be following your blog and hope to see updates on how great he's doing and how tired you are from chasing him down when he's running around the house being a funny little boy!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I loved your video.
    I'm writing this from Romania, I have a little daughter and I love her soooo much.
    Now, after I've seen your movie in youtube I realise how strong you are and how powerfull is to be you.
    God bless your boy and you.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I just watched your video and had to come find you guys. You are an amazing person and Christian is a doll, his smile melts my heart. I look forward to reading more of your blog =)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hello,
    I am living in Iceland, and saw your story, you have amazing courage to tell your story, and our son is very cute ,and he is blessed to have great parents like you..
    Greetings from Iceland AKJ

    ReplyDelete
  34. Just saw your video and cried through the whole thing. Christian is both beautiful and adorable! Against the odds, this little boy made it and there is a reason for that. Christian was meant to be, and what a lucky little boy to you as his mom. You should be so proud.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oops - meant to say ...what a lucky little boy to have you as his mom.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Lacey,
    Pete Baklinski here from LifeSiteNews. We cover pro-life and pro-family stories.
    I would love to interview you to find out more about your awesome story.
    Could you please email me?
    pbaklinski@lifesitenews.com
    Or you can give me a call (my direct line): 705-201-1246.
    Your story is inspiring!
    Sincerely,
    Pete Baklinski, LSN reporter

    ReplyDelete
  37. I saw the video you made about your beautiful baby boy and it moved me to tears.
    You look so proud to be Christians mom and you should be.
    He is a true miracle.
    I will keep you in my prayers.
    Love from Sweden.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Galileo, Ray Charles, Louis Braille, Stevie Wonder, Milton, Monet, Bocelli, Pulitzer, Homer - there are so many more. All of these greats were not stopped because of visual impairment, but we would have missed out on so much without them. Remember that. Your son could easily join them. When you have a bad day, receive an ugly reaction, whatever, remember that YOU were chosen. Christian was chosen. That is AMAZING. You were given a purpose. You are an inspiration. Never question yourself - there is so much more to your story than you or all of us on Earth are able to process or recognize. Happy Mother's Day, Lacey. Enjoy every moment of motherhood with your precious son.

    ReplyDelete
  39. You must be one special mommy to get such a sweet little boy! I can see the love you have for him--You are an amazing person. He really is BEAUTIFUL! Wishing you all the best and happiness in the world!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. You have a heart of gold and a baby that is a gift given from God himself. He will teach the world to be a kinder place, even if it is hard at first.. Bless you woman. You are strong!! And let no one EVER tell you different!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Absolutely beautiful. Your story brought tears to my eyes. I now, after having my first son last year understand that love. It's simply amazing. Just by watching that video you can see how proud you are to be his mom and you should be. At such a young age he has inspired so many. What a precious little blessing you have. God bless you both!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Funny, when you wrote this blog you were blown away by the responses and hits on the video, you had no idea that less than a month later it would reach all over the world with nearly 6 million views and growing, i can only imagine how your mind must be spinning. I would love to see the video about Lizzy, but i didn't see a link for it, can you add one please?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. err, two months :-) but still, oh my gosh that is HUGE!

      Delete
  43. I found your video on Facebook today. Your story is so inspiring and I think your baby boy is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I became a follower of your blog :)

    April

    aprilspromise.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Lacey,
    I watched your video yesterday and then felt called to watch it again today and I shared it with other people at work.

    I, too, was pregnant with a baby with birth defects and even my grandmother said that she would have terminated the pregnancy, were she me. He was born two months early with his GI tract outside his body and has had multiple surgeries over the course of his life.

    But, like Christian, people fall in love with him very quickly, and people find light in him that most of us never have.

    You are a special person and you're right, God will use Christian to teach people. He really is beautiful. Every time I see the picture of him and you with his tie in his mouth, I smile. Thanks for that.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Your video is everywhere! How AMAZING! I've never written to someone I don't know like this before, but I was so affected by your love for your son that I had to say THANK YOU for sharing your amazing lil boy with the world! I can only imagine the road has had it's tough moments (motherhood isn't really easy for any of us, is it? ;)) yet am so encouraged and inspired by your story. Time magazine's headline this week is about a different subject altogether but the headline reads "Are you Mom enough?" and for you I scream an enthusiastic YES! Talk abut a mama's love! I can't wait to see what all Christian will show us through the years as he's hear to teach us all great things :). Again, thank you for sharing your journey and the love you share with your beautiful boy. From one mama of a toddler to another - I'm also thrilled to see him healthy AND thriving! Be proud! Be inspired! You and your boy are beautiful ... Happy Mother's Day! ~debra in LA, CA

    ReplyDelete
  46. Okay, I'm sorry but this little guy is freakin adorable!

    I would want to share him with the world too...you should be a VERY proud mama bear!

    His smile brightened my day just like you said.

    I'm not a usual follower of mommy blogs or anything but this one, I will be keeping an eye on!

    ReplyDelete
  47. How lucky Christian is to have you and his mom! Happy Mother's Day.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I watched your video today with my 4 year old daughter, I just wanted to share her response. She laughed and smiled and told me "Mommy. I love this baby, this baby is so beautiful"

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'm 16, not religeous, pro-choice, not a mom, and I still think this you (and this video) are absolutely amazing. I saw it as a link on facebook and just decided to click on it, but about 2 minutes in I started bawling my eyes out. While many people don't abort, they still give their disabled children up for adoption or just flat out abandon them. I know that Christian's and your life from now on will have so many hardships, but you've already proven that you are so strong, so I believe that it will pay out, you're life with him will be amazing. I'm literally still in awe, I hope you have the best mothers day ever! your both so beautiful. :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Just saw your family's story on show Right This Minute! What a little blessing Christian is! You can look at him and tell he is a giggling little buddy! You just want to pick him up and squeeze him!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Lacey- You have such a beautiful spirit. Your blog is a huge encouragement to me. Know that another sister in Christ is praying for you guys. Thank you for being a light to the world.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Lacie, your video was so moving, thank you for sharing your story with the world...with me. Your experiences not only get to bless you...but get to inspire us.
    I had an insight while watching that I'd like to share. I noticed that when when you were smiling in your video that there was so much light all around you. I could feel it even through a video. But then, when you were frowning, the light diminished. It was such an incredible illustration to me of the power of our choice...for which ever you were choosing...light/darkness...your precious baby was still there in your arms...circumstances weren't changing, but the love and light to support you did dramatically. We all have that choice each and every day. We each have our challenges but there is always help and love to help us get through them...if we choose. Thank you for this reminder.

    Blessings to you and your sweet Christian!

    Love & Light,

    Andrea ; )

    PS. I have a gift I'd like to send to you as a way to show my support to you and Christian. Please message me at www.facebook.com/andreasmiley so I can arrange to send it. I think it will bring peace and more light into your life.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why I Won't Allow My Toddler to Have Cosmetic Surgery

It strikes me as odd that I have been asked many, many times if I will have Christian undergo cosmetic surgery to repair his birth defect. Apparently, it's not an odd question to most people, because I could not tell you how many times I've been asked. The number literally lurks somewhere close to 500, if I had to guess. I am not AT ALL offended by the question, and I enjoy explaining my answer, but still, I find it odd to be asked. Imagine your beautiful child that you simply adore. Her little button nose, those ears he got from his daddy, that little smile with that one not-so-straight tooth right up front, those freckles that dot her cheeks, that bright red hair, or that jet black hair. As you imagine that, I am sure you have a few emotions that go along with it: adoration, admiration, love. You probably think that your child is the prettiest thing you've laid eyes on. Well, when I look at my child, with tissue in the place of where eyes should be, and a crooked s

My Experiences with Bullying

For anyone who follows us on Facebook, you have probably, at one time or another, seen someone make a rude or hateful comment on a photo I've posted of Christian. It has been happening pretty much since he was born. In fact, much of the reason that I decided to make the video that went viral was because of all the negative comments that we would receive, whether through social media or face to face when we were out in public with Christian. And I have to say, I am tired of it. I sometimes find myself unable to deal with a hateful comment on a particular day, or exhausted with the idea of checking my email and finding another rude comment left on my YouTube Channel. So this blog is my outlet to vent my frustrations and share my wisdom on the matter. I consider myself a professional at handling bullying, after all, considering all the bullying I've dealt with over the last few years. At first, the comments hurt. I remember the day that I first took Christian out in in public

Was That Rude?

At the Christmas parade last weekend!  Hey everyone! Christian and I experienced something recently that I wanted to talk about and share with you all! We were at his therapy center for him to do his regular physical and feeding therapy, and we were standing at the car because his therapist comes out to the car to get him to go into therapy and then  brings him back outside to the car so that we aren't waiting in the lobby. We have been really cautious since long before COVID was a thing about germs and illness because illnesses always seem to hit Christian really hard.  And then of course my dad almost died in February from COVID. So we just try to stay out of heavily populated places when we can and take common sense precautions like regular handwashing. So, one way we try to keep the germs down is to not wait inside the lobby of Christian's therapy center and instead we just wait in the car for therapies.  So anyway, we were standing next to our car with his therapist, and a