The Zika Scourge-Mothers of Babies Born With Brain Damage from Zika Chose Life-The Church Should Help!

TI read a disturbing article a few weeks ago in the NY Times entitled, "For Brazil's Zika Families Lives of Struggle and Strength." It told the stories of the hardships and challenges poor families in Brazil face, in dealing with a baby born with microcephaly. Many of these women who gave birth to a baby with brain damage caused by the Zika virus, (from a mosquito bite) chose life for their unborn child, knowing they would most likely have to deal with a child with severe health problems, deformed heads and continuing medical problems. These women are very brave. They have a lot of difficulties and when I read the article I thought to myself, "The Church should help." There are nearly 2,500 babies in Brazil "born to infected mothers with brain damage so profound the consequences are only beginning to be understood......And doctors and researchers are just starting to grasp the medical consequences of Zika.  Besides the alarmingly small heads...many babies have a long list of varied symptoms, leading experts to rename their condition 'congenital Zika syndrome. They can have seizures, breathing problems, trouble swallowing, weakness and stiffness in muscles and joints preventing them from even lifting their heads, clubbed feet, vision and hearing problems and ferocious irritability." I feel overwhelming compassion for the babies and for their families. They need help. The government is trying to help as are charitable people throughout Brazil. I hope the Church in Brazil is helping. But the universal Church should find a way to help these women who have other issues to deal with, many are living in poverty, some are having marital problems due to the stress. Many feel overwhelmed from their situation.
I pray the Church finds a way to help, in whatever ways they can. These families should not be going through this alone. The mercy of God must be shown to them.
NJA