A new life for Haleigh

boston globe ^ | Patricia Wen

[Morgana]

WESTFIELD — The minister winds up his welcome to some 400 people, and soon lyrics flash karaoke-like on a large screen. A spirited Christian pop song, “Blessed be Your Name,” fills the Westfield Evangelical Free Church.

In the back row, a young woman, sitting in a wheelchair next to her adoptive parents, lights up.

Though she can’t read all the words, she sways to the music and claps her hands, the nails painted pink with white polka dots. She loves cheerful tunes and a crowd, and on this Sunday, she has both.

Keith and Becky Arnett could have predicted that Haleigh, 20, would brighten at this part of the service.

She entered their lives as a 14-year-old foster child, then known as Haleigh Poutre, who had been at the center of a passionate end-of-life court battle. Her singular story of abuse, compounded by government lapses, drew national media attention. It remains one of the darkest chapters in the state’s child-protection system.

[Morgana]

bump

[BykrBayb]

Thank you Morgana, for posting this. I've thought about Haleigh Poutre many times over the years, and wondered how she was doing.

Many of the same people who called for the execution of Terri schiavo, were demanding the same for Haleigh. They claimed she was already dead. I'd like them to explain now how she happened to get better. Obviously she has the support of a loving family now, but there are limits. She was not brought back from the dead. She was never dead to begin with.

How many brain injury survivors could be doing as well as Haleigh, if they'd been given a chance?

Haleigh remains in my prayers. Tonight, I add a prayer of thanks, for the blessings God has showered on her.

[narses]

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[happyhomemaker]

Thanks for posting. I will be praying for this family. God Bless them

[exDemMom]

Good news, I am happy that she is doing so well.

[Sun]

Thank you dear God!

She had a close call.

[Kitty Mittens]

Thanksgiving to our Lord for His Blessings and His Love.

[wagglebee]

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[wagglebee]

It should be remembered that FReepers had a lot to do with raising awareness of Haleigh's plight and saving her life.

Danger Zone - (Haleigh Poutre)

Birth Mother Seeks More Say In Brain-Injured Girl's Care

Haleigh Poutre Almost Victim of Euthanasia, Now Making Good Progress

Girl Once Comatose and Scheduled for Euthanasia Will Testify against Attacker

[BykrBayb]

I’m glad you brought that up. Media reviews of the timeline always omit the fact that pressure brought against the State of Massachusetts by FReepers and other concerned citizens is the only reason they dropped their pursuit of her death. It had nothing to do with her suddenly showing signs of life. She was never dead, and they never thought she was. She was expensive. To the death cult, that’s worse than dead.

[Dante3]

Thanks for the follow up about Haleigh, a girl whose story many of us here followed.

[pbmaltzman]

Thanks for posting this update. I had wondered how she was doing ater all these years.