The Daily Mail is reporting on the story of Josh and Robbyn Blick of Lake Zurich, Illinois who learned at 20 weeks into Robbyn's pregnancy that their fifth child had Trisomy 18, a fatal genetic abnormality known as Edwards syndrome. This is a chromosomal condition associated with abnormalities in many parts of the body and can include heart defects and other organ abnormalities that typically develop before birth. Only five to 10 percent of children born with Trisomy 18 live past their first year with most dying before birth or within their first month of life.
This was the case with Baby Zion, whose devout Christian parents said there was never any doubt that they were going to give life to their baby, no matter how long he lived.
"Our choice is always life and giving him a chance," Robbyn told The Blaze.
His fatal diagnosis didn't stop the family from celebrating him as they would any other child. The Blicks posted photos of Zion's progress in the womb and of the baby shower friends threw for the couple.
On January 11, 2014, they welcomed little Zion into the world. He weighed just four pounds, seven ounces.
Knowing he did not have long to live, the Blicks immediately began to document every moment of his life in a series of photos posted to Instagram and in videos.
These photos show a tiny, adorable little boy, lovingly dressed by his doting parents and four proud brothers who rejoiced to be able to celebrate Zion's 1-week birthday.
"My sweet precious Zion, you are my gift," said Robbyn, 32, in the family video. "Every breath you took was a moment to inhale the perfection of God's beauty. Every beat of your heart was a measure of love.
"You listened when you heard your daddy's voice, and you turned your eyes his way. I kissed your face a million times, and I wish I could give you a million more."
Zion's father, Josh, is a pastor at the non-denominational Alpine Chapel in Illinois, and said his son's short life taught them about God's love and hope after death.
Zion's life ended on January 21, just 10 days after his birth, but the impact he left on his family, church community, and now the world, is beyond measure.
" . . . (Y)ou did more in your 10 days on earth than I could ever hope to," his father said in a video filmed after Zion's death. "This is the hardest thing that I have ever had to do. But I want you to know that I'm so proud of you."
At his funeral, the family thanked God for the gift of their son. "Your love for him reminds me daily now what we are living for. Thank you for sharing him with us."
Click here to watch the video of Baby Zion.
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