At the age of 92, Ray Lane wouldn’t have been born into this world if his parents hadn’t listened to the doctor’s advice during the Great Depression. Born during a time of hardship, Lane has a wealth of life experience and knowledge, but his favorite topic to speak on is how he survived being nearly aborted. Ironically, this occurred during a time when abortion was illegal in the United States. A compassionate doctor advised Mr. Lane’s parents against terminating the pregnancy.
Saved from abortion, Mr. Lane led a fulfilling life as he grew up. He recently published a book titled “Conceivable: The Unlimited Potential of the Unborn,” sharing his life experiences and firm belief that terminating a pregnancy equals “abortion.”
Speaking on the medical research over the past twenty years by American scientist Dr. Thomas Verny on what unborn babies can learn, Mr. Lane mentioned that unborn babies can respond to music and sound, even signaling parents or their doctors to potential medical issues that may go unnoticed.
The sensitivity of what even a tiny unborn baby, often described by abortion advocates as “a clump of cells,” can perceive in the womb is astonishing. Dr. Verny noted in his book “The Secret Life of the Unborn Child” that unborn babies can receive and respond to love, as well as perceive the emotions and feelings of their parents.
“They are killing a person, a person who began developing the day after conception,” Lane told Epoch Times, “The cells are changing dramatically. DNA will show that this baby is distinct from any other baby or person in the world.”
Lane has long been an advocate for the unborn, perhaps stemming from his deep understanding of abortion.
When he was 8, his mother revealed to him that she had intended to have an abortion, but the doctor advised against it. She had already terminated two pregnancies before. During the Great Depression, his parents were concerned about their ability to provide for another child.
“There were many abortions happening at that time, even though it was illegal,” Lane said. “During the Great Depression, there were a lot of abortions going on.”
Fortunately, the doctor assured Lane’s mother that due to living on a farm, they could grow vegetables and have enough food to sustain the family. When asked further why she considered abortion, she admitted it was primarily due to her husband’s fears.
“Well, where is he?” the doctor asked. Lane recounted the conversation that saved his life.
“My mom went out and brought him in from the car. The doctor brought him into his office, they talked and so, the abortion didn’t happen.”
Lane does not know the exact details of that conversation, but his conclusion is that he never felt unwanted and believed he belonged with his family, feeling loved and welcomed.
This early and unusual experience undoubtedly influenced many choices throughout Lane’s 92 years of life, but it did not have a negative impact on his childhood.
“I was a happy child,” he said.
Lane had a home to live in and work on, basking in the innocence of childhood, growing into a bright young man who was a farewell speaker at a school graduation ceremony in Idaho.
In his book, Lane wrote, “I grew up on a farm in Idaho, served in the Air Force. Attended Boise Junior College, now Boise State University. Raised many Holstein cattle. Graduated from Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, then farmed for 18 years, before God called me into ministry, graduated from Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado.”
Lane has strived to honor God in any work he undertakes, working across America and even spending time in New Zealand. Whether receiving awards for cattle farming, serving as a capable Air Force sergeant, or advocating for the unborn, Lane represents the unborn siblings and millions of unborn children who never had a chance at life.
Lane considers himself one of the lucky ones, stating, “We are losing many future leaders due to abortion.”
Reflecting on the impact of the work he has done to better the world and the influence of his parents’ choices on his grandson, Lane shared a touching story.
“One of my grandsons is a top graduate in computer engineering from the School of Mines in Colorado, one of the top engineering schools in America,” Lane says.
Lane’s grandson lost his parents and step-grandmother to pancreatic cancer, shaping his career choices. He obtained a master’s degree in 2015 and now works at a company in London using artificial intelligence to find cancer treatment methods.
“My grandson heads this research, which aims to find answers for cancer treatment using artificial intelligence,” Lane mentions.
Lane hopes his book can aid more families. For the millions of aborted children from the past whose potential outcomes were lost, nothing can be done, but for the potential lives of millions of children in the future, something can be done – and Lane aims to do his part in the time he has left.