A Pro-Life Hero: Minka Disbrow
by Jeanne Monahan
January 4, 2012
As we officially begin the 2012 Sanctity of Life Month this January, the Associated Press is reporting an amazing adoption story, “Mom reunites with daughter 77 years later.”
In 1928, as a young and innocent teenager, Minka Disbrow lived in South Dakota and worked on a dairy farm. One day while enjoying a picnic, Minka and a friend were jumped by three men and raped. Innocent to the degree that she didn’t comprehend how babies were created, months later the 17-year-old Minka was confused and surprised to find her body changing and growing. Her parents soon found an adoption agency.
“I loved that baby so much. I wanted what was best,” Disbrow said. “She never met [the adoptive parents] or knew their names. But over the years, Disbrow wrote dozens of letters to the adoption agency to find out how her daughter was faring. The agency replied faithfully with updates until there was a change in management, and they eventually lost touch. Disbrow’s life went on … Every year, she thought about Betty Jane on her May 22 birthday.”
Years later she would find herself frequently wondering about her daughter. “For most of her 100 years, Minka Disbrow tried to find out what became of the precious baby girl she gave up for adoption after being raped as a teen. She hoped, but never imagined, she’d see her Betty Jane again.” In 2006, Minka Disbrow and her daughter, Ruth Lee had a very joyful reunion seventy-seven years after their separation. Minka learned that she had six grandchildren, including a veteran astronaut, Mark Lee.
In a similar story, Ryan Bomberger, of the Radiance Foundation was conceived in an act rape. Like Minka, Ryan’s mother chose to carry her child to term. Ryan now dedicates his life to promoting and protecting the dignity of every person. For a recent lecture by Ryan on the hope and joy of adoption click here.
All can agree that rape is a horrific act of violence that no one should ever undergo. But abortion after a rape robs an innocent victim of a very beautiful life.
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By: annie Kilroy | January 8, 2012 at 12:30 am
Minka is a personal friend and contributor to TESTIFY the book. She volunteers every Monday and prays over the staff at our local Pregnancy Resource Center. She stands up and gives her testimony wherever she is invited to speak. On her 100th birthday she shared at her local Church! Today she is a vibrant woman of God. Her desire is to get her testimony out into the world. When she turned 100, I sent Her testimony and event announcement to our local newspapers. Her story went out and the Associated Press picked it up and then on to the airways…basically going viral. I’m so happy to see that you who stand in the gap for life are posting her Pro-Life story. For the rest of her story please look at our blog at Testify the book. We have two other testimonies of women who chose life for their babies.