Will You Take This Baby?

Baby Mathew had half a heart, Hannah was in a detox facility for infants and baby Claire needed an HIV test. On the day these babies were born, no one seemed to care, but Mary was waiting for them - to her they were important. Will You Take This Baby? is about fourteen babies, their incredible strength, their will to live and one ordinary foster mom who learned how to get the best for the babies who had the least. From emergency rooms to ambulances, fire trucks and a medevac, it was a journey few would have chosen. Together they struggled through opiate withdrawals, fetal alcohol syndrome, birth defects and life-threatening communicable diseases. For thirty one years, Mary cared for infants in Washington state's foster care system. Her journey evolved from one-on-one care to advocacy for critical care babies, ultimately through the doors of the Washington State Legislature. About the author: Mary Stillson Jones was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. She served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War and has raised two children, Tara and Geoffrey. Since retiring as a foster parent, she remains active as a parent partner for Kitsap Mental Health and is on the board of directors for the YWCA. Mary continues to fight for foster children in the Washington State Legislature and is writing her second book.