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MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
It's time now for StoryCorps. Marla Wendel was three months pregnant in the early 1990s when she had a stroke. It affected her motor skills and memory. She still delivered a healthy son, Daniel, who's now 32 years old. They came to StoryCorps in Chicago.
DANIEL WENDEL: A lot of time went by between when you had your stroke and when I was born. What were you thinking during that time?
MARLA WENDEL: I was just thinking, we're going to make it. We're going to make it. At one point, when I was pregnant, they were like, are you going to terminate the baby or not? It's risky to continue for your health, for the baby's health. And I was like, of course we're going to keep the baby.
D WENDEL: And you have so much trouble making decisions about everything under the sun.
M WENDEL: (Laughter) I know.
D WENDEL: You have trouble deciding what breakfast cereal...
M WENDEL: I know. I do. I do. That is true. But I felt so strongly you were supposed to be here. I was just thinking, like, I want to be your mother. I want to be your mother so bad.
D WENDEL: Do you want to tell us about the stroke?
M WENDEL: It was a Saturday night. As the night progressed, I noticed my leg was giving out. And you have an older sibling, so I started thinking, like, I have got to get him into bed. And I feel bad, but I heaved him into the cage.
D WENDEL: You meant crib, right?
M WENDEL: Oh, what'd I say?
D WENDEL: Cage.
M WENDEL: (Laughter) I did, yes. Thank you.
D WENDEL: You know, I was probably a teenager before I realized that not everyone has traumatic brain injuries and that's not just some fun game me and my mom play...
M WENDEL: (Laughter).
D WENDEL: ...When she forgets words. But I always knew that you risked your life so that I could come into this world. That was always in the background.
M WENDEL: You had said that it made you feel pressured.
D WENDEL: Yeah, but pressure to do amazing things with your life. That's not a bad thing.
M WENDEL: Yes, but I never want amazing things like become the president of the United States or go to the moon. But, like, that you would bring joy to people 'cause you have such a kind heart, and you're such a good person.
D WENDEL: I mean, I had a pretty good example.
M WENDEL: That's good to hear. Thanks, son. You're so strong inside, and if people see you, they might not know that because you're so quiet and thoughtful. If you weren't here with us, the world would not be as good of a place - really, truly. I can't think of it. It was a miracle that the two of us made it.
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MARTIN: Marla and Daniel Wendel for StoryCorps. Their interview is archived at the Library of Congress. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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