Our story begins in January of
1996… We had just made a major move from Miami, FL to
Crossville, TN and spent many hours talking with doctors and
taking tours of the facilities available in our area and
beyond. We wanted to have a support team willing to let us do
the work needed to have the baby in the most comfortable and
peaceful way possible. We knew there must be a place that
provided this relying on “normal and safe” criteria to make
educated choices for me as the mommy and our baby along the way.
Upon arriving at the birthing center, we were greeted with great warmth and joy for our tour. Lisa Ross skillfully and cheerfully led us throughout the center answering our questions and giving us more information and personal attention than we had ever encountered. She created a feeling of empowerment for me as a brand new mommy-to-be and assurance for Randy to have opportunities to be as involved in the birth process as he would like to be. (His hands were itching to get a hold of our baby as soon as possible!! ) Linda Cole made it a reality for us during that first birth and at each birth since!! What a great choice we made!!! This was our first son and since then we have had 6 more babies with the Lisa Ross Birth and Women's Center. We shared in the lives of our 4 boys and 3 girls. We keep coming back because they have given life to our family. They have created an environment where we are working as a team for the best possible choices for each special baby.
During these past 9 years of growing our family, we shared in a difficult experience of carrying and delivering a chromosome disorder baby. This was an amazing act of service on their part as they supported us in our choices and grieved with us in our loss of our sweet girl. They also celebrated and encouraged us through another baby---I never could have done this without their kind, gentle guidance and strength. I think they were more amazed than I was to see this healthy 9-pound girl. She was followed earlier this year by another sweet 8 pound 12 ounce beautiful girl.
They have provided support and treated us with respect as educated adults wanting to know more about this process of birth and delivery. There is a connection they bring to having a baby that goes beyond the technical and reaches into the heart of each life.
We are indebted to them…for they have given us our family!!
Randy and Renee Velker
Barrett 9 years old
Ransom 8 years old
Caleb 6 years old
Christian 5 years old
Terra – passed away
Evangelina 2 years old
Gabrielle 6 months old