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A Fragile Heritage
The doctor spoke sympathetically, but his words were devastating. “Yes, it is genetic. This mutation happened because you are Mennonites.”
Wesley and Sheryl were stunned. Their perfect new daughter had been hospitalized five days after birth. Between episodes of shrill, spasmodic crying, Louisa was mostly comatose. The doctor’s words felt like an indictment of their heritage of faith and the God who had preserved it.
The diagnosis of MSUD (maple syrup urine disease) changed everything for the Leinbach family. Louisa’s restrictive diet was measured in grams, and ordinary viruses sent her to the hospital.
Should Wesley and Sheryl risk having more children, knowing they could also inherit the mutation? Should they pursue a liver transplant for Louisa? What would keep their children from marrying carriers of the mutation and beginning a new generation of suffering?
Combining one family’s story with fascinating research on genetic disease, A Fragile Heritage traces the strands of heritage, faith, and mutation through generations and addresses questions about genetic mutations resulting from the overlapping ancestry of many Mennonites and Amish today. It also answers a deeper question: In a world of imperfection, how can we believe in a perfect God? Foreword by Kevin A. Strauss, M.D.
Wesley and Sheryl were stunned. Their perfect new daughter had been hospitalized five days after birth. Between episodes of shrill, spasmodic crying, Louisa was mostly comatose. The doctor’s words felt like an indictment of their heritage of faith and the God who had preserved it.
The diagnosis of MSUD (maple syrup urine disease) changed everything for the Leinbach family. Louisa’s restrictive diet was measured in grams, and ordinary viruses sent her to the hospital.
Should Wesley and Sheryl risk having more children, knowing they could also inherit the mutation? Should they pursue a liver transplant for Louisa? What would keep their children from marrying carriers of the mutation and beginning a new generation of suffering?
Combining one family’s story with fascinating research on genetic disease, A Fragile Heritage traces the strands of heritage, faith, and mutation through generations and addresses questions about genetic mutations resulting from the overlapping ancestry of many Mennonites and Amish today. It also answers a deeper question: In a world of imperfection, how can we believe in a perfect God? Foreword by Kevin A. Strauss, M.D.
476 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 28, 2024
Wow. I never thought I'd be so interested in a book about Mennonite genetics. But I loved it. I skimmed over some of the medical descriptions which felt pretty lengthy, but I supposed some people will find them fascinating.
July 18, 2024
This might be one of my top books of 2024. It was so well written, I could just feel the heartache and pain the Leinbachs went through. While I already knew some about MSUD, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more. This book felt very close to home in some ways as our family personally knows some of the doctors mentioned throughout A Fragile Heritage.
April 11, 2024
Excellent writing on a difficult subject. The emotional story drew me in and the detailed research kept me focused on the bigger picture. Genetics are fascinating! And deadly in certain combinations, as this book details. I highly recommend this one!
February 13, 2024
Very well written, the questions, heartache and tears kept crashing into hope, joy, grace, and love for God! I also have a fragile heritage, and I'm so glad Sheryl wrote this story for all of us.
May 1, 2024
I'm not one to cry while reading, but this book brought some tears. Sheryl did not spare any details or research. Definitely recommend this one.
May 17, 2024
Such fascinating information about our Mennonite heritage as relates to genetics! I was also really invested in the family’s personal story of a daughter with MSUD. Very well researched!
January 1, 2025
Eye-opening, captivating, a must-read, especially for Mennonites.
September 9, 2024
Well written story of one unsuspecting family's journey with MSUD. There's so many advances in timing and remediation for this genetic disease. Faith in God is what carried them through the tough years.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews