Gianna Jessen couldn’t move and was barely alive when she was born in a Los Angeles abortion clinic early one morning in 1977.She managed to live through an 18-hour saline salt abortion, a process designed to terminate her life seven months into her mother’s pregnancy.She was taken to a local hospital and survived inside an incubator, though doctors believed she wouldn’t make it through the day.This experience didn’t leave her unscarred. She lives with cerebral palsy.Jessen has made a life traveling the world to promote pro-life issues and to encourage both citizens and politicians to outlaw one of the world’s most controversial medical practices.She spoke to a crowd of about 120 University students and Baton Rouge residents in the Dodson Auditorium on Tuesday.She flew into town just hours before but was cheery and laughing despite her fatigue.”If you have a healthy love for yourself, you cannot help but shine,” Jessen said. “Since my life was nearly snuffed out in its beginning, I live with a lot of passion.”Jessen came to Baton Rouge to speak to both St. Michael the Archangel high school and the University chapter of Students for Life this week.”She puts a face to the issue,” said Annette Denton, philosophy sophomore. “People talk about a fetus, but you can see her now as a person.”Jessen refers to her condition a a “gift from God.” She said she doesn’t want to be thought of as a victim.”I believe a victim mentality leads to tyranny because you’re constantly relying on people to do things for you,” Jessen said.Jessen has made an effort to avoid such a mentality throughout her life. An outspoken and unashamed conservative, Jessen spoke openly about the need take pride in individual strength.Though she learned to walk at the age of 3, and even then only with a walker and leg braces, Jessen takes pride in her completion of two marathons.She said her first marathon in 2005 taught her it was OK to come in last place. Jessen ran for more than seven hours despite her limp.She ran her second one in the 2006 London Marathon where she met Tony Blair, former prime minister of the United Kingdom.It wasn’t her first encounter with a political figure, nor would it be her last. Jessen spoke before the United States Congress twice on abortion issues. She also spoke to the Australian Parliament before a crucial vote on abortion.She said meeting former President George W. Bush changed her life.”You must have the strength of character to be hated for what you believe,” Jessen said. “That is the true test.”Jessen said she learned to embrace her gift after years of wishing her life had been different. She said she attributes her change in attitude to her sense of humor and her Christian faith.—————Contact Adam Duvernay at [email protected]