Ben and Cortney’s future hope
Donation protected
Ben and Cortney’s hope for the future…
Christmas 2014, Ben and Cortney Coker, my brother and sister-in-law, made the big announcement that they were expecting their first child together. They were so excited and happy. Around 20 weeks into the pregnancy, Ben and Cortney were told their precious baby boy had trisomy 13. They were told that their son would not survive. Ben and Cortney had fallen in love with Lawlis McCall and chose to continue the pregnancy and give life to their son. Lawlis was born July 1, 2015. He was a beautiful, blonde haired boy that was a fighter. He gave his mother, father, family and friends four amazing days of love and hope for his survival. Believing and praying that God could heal baby Lawlis, Ben and Cortney were left with many unanswered questions of why God did not. Most of us will never know the hurt, pain and loss they felt from losing their son. Through many difficult days they have continued to face life without Lawlis knowing they will never be the same.
A year later Ben and Cortney shared the wonderful news that they were going to have another baby. They were once again excited and full of joy. The thought of a baby in their home after the emptiness of the past year just gave them such hope. They loved Lawlis so much that they just never imagined they could love another baby as much…but they did. Cortney’s pregnancy was going great and even when they found out that their sweet baby girl had trisomy 21, Down Syndrome, that didn’t change one thing about the excitement and love they had for their daughter. They knew there would be some difficult times ahead but that didn’t matter, they were so happy to have a baby. There was no reason to believe that Yves Lawlis would not come home from the hospital. Ben and Cortney were not prepared for an early emergency delivery. They were not prepared to find out that Yves had leukemia and would live less than a day. A heart is just not made to bear so much sadness and pain, but they had no choice. Baby Yves was born Feb. 22 at 1:16 AM and fought hard for her life until 9:39 PM that night, when she went to be with her older brother Lawlis.
This campaign has been set up because so many family, friends and people in the community have been asking what they can do for Ben and Cortney. The desire and love Ben and Cortney have for being parents has not stopped. They are looking into other options such as in vitro fertilization or adoption. This campaign is to raise funds for them to continue moving forward in their passion and heart to have children. As many of you know it is very expensive to pursue either of these options. We set a goal at $35,000 with hopes that would cover either option.
Thank you for your prayers and support for Ben and Cortney as they continue to heal their broken hearts and pursue their dream of having a family.
Ben, Cortney and Lawlis
Cortney and Yves
Christmas 2014, Ben and Cortney Coker, my brother and sister-in-law, made the big announcement that they were expecting their first child together. They were so excited and happy. Around 20 weeks into the pregnancy, Ben and Cortney were told their precious baby boy had trisomy 13. They were told that their son would not survive. Ben and Cortney had fallen in love with Lawlis McCall and chose to continue the pregnancy and give life to their son. Lawlis was born July 1, 2015. He was a beautiful, blonde haired boy that was a fighter. He gave his mother, father, family and friends four amazing days of love and hope for his survival. Believing and praying that God could heal baby Lawlis, Ben and Cortney were left with many unanswered questions of why God did not. Most of us will never know the hurt, pain and loss they felt from losing their son. Through many difficult days they have continued to face life without Lawlis knowing they will never be the same.
A year later Ben and Cortney shared the wonderful news that they were going to have another baby. They were once again excited and full of joy. The thought of a baby in their home after the emptiness of the past year just gave them such hope. They loved Lawlis so much that they just never imagined they could love another baby as much…but they did. Cortney’s pregnancy was going great and even when they found out that their sweet baby girl had trisomy 21, Down Syndrome, that didn’t change one thing about the excitement and love they had for their daughter. They knew there would be some difficult times ahead but that didn’t matter, they were so happy to have a baby. There was no reason to believe that Yves Lawlis would not come home from the hospital. Ben and Cortney were not prepared for an early emergency delivery. They were not prepared to find out that Yves had leukemia and would live less than a day. A heart is just not made to bear so much sadness and pain, but they had no choice. Baby Yves was born Feb. 22 at 1:16 AM and fought hard for her life until 9:39 PM that night, when she went to be with her older brother Lawlis.
This campaign has been set up because so many family, friends and people in the community have been asking what they can do for Ben and Cortney. The desire and love Ben and Cortney have for being parents has not stopped. They are looking into other options such as in vitro fertilization or adoption. This campaign is to raise funds for them to continue moving forward in their passion and heart to have children. As many of you know it is very expensive to pursue either of these options. We set a goal at $35,000 with hopes that would cover either option.
Thank you for your prayers and support for Ben and Cortney as they continue to heal their broken hearts and pursue their dream of having a family.
Ben, Cortney and LawlisCortney and YvesOrganizer and beneficiary
Jan Rakestraw
Organizer
Siloam Springs, AR
Ben Coker
Beneficiary