Iceland Kills Almost 100% of Babies With Down Syndrome in Abortion, Denmark 98%, UK 90%, and U.S. 74%

Iceland Kills Almost 100% of Babies With Down Syndrome in Abortion, Denmark 98%, UK 90%, and U.S. 74%

A powerful video, The Hiring Chain, produced for 2021 World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), features a wonderful song that describes a life-affirming chain reaction kicked off when a baker hires a young woman with Down syndrome.

The Hiring Chain, written by the team at CoorDown, an Italian advocacy organization that promotes acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome, is performed by the world renowned rock star, Sting.

Employees with Down syndrome are shown in the video being hired, all as a consequence of the initial job offer from the Baker. We hear these lyrics, sung by Sting to a catchy tune:

The Baker hired Simone
And everybody saw
That she could do the job.
The Lawyer went to the Baker
And saw Simone at work.
The Lawyer hired John
Because the Baker hired Simone…

And so on, until it comes full circle.

This scenario is a perfect example of how vital it is for people with Down syndrome to be seen and encountered in our world. The more they are known, the more we benefit from their presence and the more we appreciate their unique gifts.  And the more they are known, the more they are accepted and the more they benefit from our understanding. You might call it the Circle of Acceptance.

But to be known, they must first be born!

Tragically, abortion takes the lives of thousands of unborn babies with Down syndrome each year.  A 2012 study estimates that about 74 percent of babies prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome in the U.S. are aborted.  In Europe, the abortion rate is even higher– 90 percent in the U.K., 98 percent in Denmark, and for all practical purposes 100 percent in Iceland. 

We must understand, however, that the positive chain reaction, unleashed by our increased exposure to individuals with Down syndrome, beautifully demonstrated in the CoorDown video, can be set off in the opposite direction when our exposure is decreased.

In other words, the fewer of us who know someone with Down syndrome, the fewer of us will be touched by their unique gifts, and the fewer of us who will understand and appreciate them. The fewer of us that understand and appreciate them, the worse off it will be for those who have Down syndrome.  In fact, this lack of understanding can, and has led to intolerance toward people with Down syndrome, lethally so when they are at their most vulnerable—in the womb.

Unfortunately, for a myriad of reasons, too many of us may harbor preconceived notions about Down syndrome.

Perhaps, it is because individuals with Down syndrome share common physical features that make their appearance a bit different than those of us who lack that extra 21st chromosome.  Or maybe because there is always some level of intellectual disability, we assume that it means they cannot understand or learn or perform a job.

But when we are fortunate enough to have someone with Down syndrome in our families, friend circles, and/or communities, prejudices and biases and stereotypes are challenged. We come to learn there is more to them than meets the eye.  We come to appreciate their oftentimes delightful humor, love of people, and ability to perform their jobs well.

Ask any parent of a child born with Down syndrome, and most will tell you that, yes, they initially experienced sadness and fear.  However, overwhelmingly, most of those parents will also tell you that their children transformed their sadness into joy and changed their lives for the better.

Emily, a family friend of ours beautifully expressed this reality some years ago when writing about our daughter in a school essay. “With Sadie, I learned first-hand that oftentimes disabled children have the sweetest souls.  It is impossible to explain exactly how I learned this. It is a type of knowledge that cannot be passed on by any amount of words, you must learn through experience to fully understand.”

Emily hit the nail on the head!

On CoorDown’s YouTube channel, they write, “By hiring someone with Down syndrome, you start a virtuous chain: the more that people with Down Syndrome are seen at work, the more they’ll be recognized as valuable employees, and the more they’ll be hired. Do your part, start the Hiring Chain today.”

Of course, and more importantly, the same could also be said for bringing a baby with Down syndrome into this world.  By one mother choosing Life for her baby, another will also choose Life.  And the more babies with Down syndrome born, the more we all benefit from their lives, and the more individuals with Down syndrome will benefit as well.  It is a win-win.  Start the Hiring Chain!

Do yourself a favor and watch the delightful The Hiring Chain video.

LifeNews Note: Eileen Haupt is the mother of a lovely 22-year-old daughter with Down syndrome and co-founder of Keep Infants with Down Syndrome (KIDS)

 

Ref: This is a www.lifenews.com opinion piece

https://www.lifenews.com/2021/03/29/iceland-kills-almost-100-of-babies-with-down-syndrome-in-abortion-denmark-98-uk-90-and-u-s-74 

Filmat: “Li ġejt addottata ma fiha xejn tal-mistħija; tatni ċans ieħor fil-ħajja”

Filmat: “Li ġejt addottata ma fiha xejn tal-mistħija; tatni ċans ieħor fil-ħajja”

Rasha Agius Bartoli hija żagħżugħa li bdiet tiġi ffosterjata minn familja meta kellha tliet snin, imbagħad, wara 10 snin tgħix magħhom, iddeċidew li jaddottawha. Hija tisħaq li l-fatt li ġiet addottata ma fih xejn tal-mistħija, anzi, lilha għenha, u taha ċans ieħor fil-ħajja.

Rasha rrakkuntat l-istorja tagħha dalgħodu fuq il-programm ta’ Prof. Andrew Azzopardi fuq 103 Malta’s Heart.

Tgħid li tiftakar kif ta’ tliet snin kienet għadha tgħix fi djar tat-tfal, meta darba ġiet koppja li bdiet toħroġha kull ġimgħa. Fil-ħarġiet magħhom, bdiet tara naħa ġdida tal-ħajja, saħansitra anke tip ta’ ikel li ma kinitx imdorrija bih, u affarijiet materjali oħra li ma kinitx esposta għalihom. Apparti minn hekk, bdiet tingħata wkoll attenzjoni individwali.

Meta kien isir il-ħin fi tmiem iż-żjara tagħha, kien ikollha ċerti emozzjonijiet li ma tiftakarhomx kompletament, iżda Rasha tistqarr li wriet ix-xewqa li tkun parti minn familthom.

B’hekk bdew jiffosterjawha, u damu 10 snin jiffosterjawha, sakemm il-familja ddeċidiet li Rasha għandha tkun addottata u ssir uffiċjalment parti mill-familja Agius. Hi kellha 13-il sena u turi apprezzament għall-mod kif il-ġenituri tagħha inkludewha fid-deċiżjoni. Tgħid li dan kien il-pass naturali li kien imiss, li hi riedet tkun parti mill-familja tagħhom b’mod uffiċjali.

“Ommi għamlet att minn qalbha meta tatni għall-addozzjoni”

Rasha tispjega li l-fostering ma joffrix sens ta’ stabbiltà u konsistenza. It-tfal li jkunu ffosterjati ħafna drabi jibżgħu li se jiġri xi ħaġa u jmorru lura għal kif kienu qabel. Min-naħa l-oħra, l-addozzjoni tagħtihom sens ta’ stabbiltà, ta’ familja. Tgħid li anke l-kunjom ġegħilha tħossha aktar parti mill-familja, parti minn grupp wieħed b’valuri simili. “Dik fissret ħafna għalija,” tqerr Rasha ma’ Prof. Azzopardi.

Prof. Azzopardi, li huwa wkoll id-Dekan tal-Fakultà għat-Tisħiħ tas-Soċjetà, staqsa lil Rasha jekk hi kinitx interessata fl-għeruq tagħha, li ssir taf lill-ġenituri oriġinali tagħha. Hija tgħid li għaliha kienet importanti ħafna li tkun taf minn fejn ġejja, għax tħoss li din hija parti integrali mill-identità tagħha. Fil-fehma tagħha, it-tfal għandhom dejjem ikunu jafu minn fejn ġejjin, imma hi tagħraf li dan mhux dejjem ikun possibbli.

Fil-każ tagħha, għandha relazzjoni tajba mal-omm naturali tagħha, u hi tifhem li ommha ma setgħetx iżżommha u tapprezza s-sagrifiċċju li għamlet li tat lil bintha għall-addozzjoni sabiex issib ħajja aħjar milli setgħet toffrilha hi, kif fil-fatt ġara. Tgħid li l-fatt li kellha relazzjoni tajba mal-omm naturali tagħha għenha, u sarraf f’aktar stabbiltà għaliha. Minkejja dan, xorta waħda kienet ta’ sfida għal Rasha, u tgħid li jrid ikun hemm stabbiltà sabiex, kemm jista’ jkun, ħadd ma jweġġa’ f’din is-sitwazzjoni diffiċli. Tistqarr li l-ġenituri addottivi tagħha ma setgħux imxew aħjar milli mxew magħha, għax kienu kompletament trasparenti.

“Ma naħsibhiex darbtejn biex naddotta ‘l quddiem”

Rasha ssejjaħ l-esperjenza addottiva waħda sabiħa, għaliex jogħġobha l-mod kif minn dinja hekk kbira, il-ġenituri tagħha u hi sabu lil xulxin u saru familja waħda. Skontha, m’hemmx bżonn ħabi u mistħija f’sitwazzjonijiet bħal dawn – “jien parti minn familja kif inhu kulħadd u aċċettajt il-passat tiegħi.”

Iż-żagħżugħa tant aċċettat il-passat tagħha, li hi u familtha qegħdin fil-proċess li jiżviluppaw għaqda mhux governattiva ffukata fuq l-addozzjoni, bl-isem New Beginnings Foundation. Hija spjegat waqt l-intervista li l-ħsieb warajha hu li jaħdmu ma’ persuni li għaddew minn esperjenzi differenti fil-ħajja, iqajmu l-kuxjenza bl-esperjenza tagħhom u jippruvaw jgħinu lil ħaddieħor, mhux biss fejn jidħlu fostering u addozzjoni.

Mistoqsija jekk ‘il quddiem tikkunsidrax li taddotta xi tifel jew tifla, Rasha lanqas taħsibha darbtejn. “Bla dubju ta’ xejn,” twieġeb, għaliex tgħid li llum, permezz tal-addozzjoni qed tgħix ħajja ta’ valur, ta’ tifsira u ta’ kwalità, u żgur li ma toqgħodx taħsibha biex toffri lil xi ħadd dak li ġie offrut lilha.

L-intervista sħiħa

 

 

Ref: This is a newsbook.com.mt opinion piece

Filmat: “Li ġejt addottata ma fiha xejn tal-mistħija; tatni ċans ieħor fil-ħajja”

Life Network Foundation worried about bill which may exclude ‘unborn children’, introduce euthanasia

Life Network Foundation worried about bill which may exclude ‘unborn children’, introduce euthanasia

Bill no. 198 currently tabled in parliament is “seriously preoccupying” as Government may change the meaning and substance of words like ‘person’ or ‘life’ in Article 33 of the Constitution and may exclude “unborn children” from the definition of ‘persons’, Life Network Foundation Malta said in a press release.

The Life Network Foundation describes itself as a life affirming organization, where they work to raise awareness on issues related to human life, marriage, and family based on a Catholic ethic of life.

The Bill in question states:

“Where any Act, whether passed before or after this Act, confers a power upon a public authority which exercises regulatory, supervisory, compliance, investigatory or enforcement functions to impose a civil penalty, an administrative fine or other civil or administrative pecuniary or non-pecuniary sanction or administrative measure, such a penalty, fine, sanction or measure may be interpreted as constituting a punishment of a criminal nature and the infringement in respect of which the said penalty, fine, sanction or measure may be imposed may be interpreted as substantively constituting a criminal offence subject to the following provisions of this article.”

The Life Research Unit, which is the Advisory Legal Unit within Life Network Foundation, voiced their concerns over such a bill.

“It is very worrying that this bill may go against and nullify sentences of the Constitutional Court which have established that in all the stages procedures which may lead to administrative fines amounting to thousands of Euros, citizens have the right to appear in a court of justice, rather than in front of a tribunal, officials or public corporations,” the statement read.

The foundation said that the proposed Interpretation Act, the legislator is “trying to change the meaning of the Constitution with a simple majority in Parliament instead of the required two thirds.”

This is a “highly disquieting precedent”, the Life Network Foundation said, as according to them, if such a proposal comes into effect, “a nasty precedent will have been created, whereby in the near or distant future any Government enjoying a majority of one may change the meaning and substance of words” such as ‘person’ and ‘life’.

The foundation also said that the Government “will allow the Equality Board in Bill No 97 (Equality) to inflict large administrative fines (20,000 Euros fine and penalties of 500 Euro daily) on organisations and/or institutions who are deemed guilty by lay persons nominated by government of ‘discrimination’.” They said that, as the Constitutional Court notes, only the Courts of Law can impose fines and penalties like these.

“The Constitution should remain the highest protection for the law in our country. It is very important for people to be aware that this precedent can constitute a threat to the Constitution. Therefore, we call upon all NGOs and others who are conversant with the law to express their concerns as well. We request the highest authorities in the land, including His Excellency the President of Malta to ensure that the Maltese Constitution is not undermined.”

This is www.independent.com.mt opinion piece

https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-03-25/local-news/Life-Network-Foundation-worried-about-bill-which-may-exclude-unborn-children-introduce-euthanasia-6736232063  

Photo sourced from https://unsplash.com/@tingeyinjurylawfirm   

“Can you be an athlete? You, pregnant? You, a mother? That depends.”

“Can you be an athlete? You, pregnant? You, a mother? That depends.”

The message behind Nike’s advert mirrors the ultimate prolife slogan.

Nike released a new video advert to promote their maternity range. The message behind the advert is clear: pregnancy and motherhood do not prevent a woman from being an athlete—or, in actual fact, from following any other activity that she loves.

The message behind Nike’s advert mirrors the ultimate prolife slogan. Prolife organisations worldwide are constantly encouraging women in crisis pregnancies by stating that being a mother should not necessarily stand in the way of them achieving their dreams, whether it is to become an athlete, graduate from school, or have a career. Nike’s endorsement of this message is testament to the fact that the prolife culture in the United States seems to be gaining ground. This could indeed be life-changing for the prolife movement worldwide.

The empowering video, featuring pregnant women and mothers, opens with the questions: “Can you be an athlete? You, pregnant? You, a mother? That depends.”

It continues by defining what an athlete is: “Someone who moves; someone who gets it done, no matter what; someone who listens to her body; someone who defies gravity; someone who deals with the pain, hits her limit and pushes past it; pushing, pushing, pushing; someone who earns every single win.” Each defining phrase is backed by a resounding “You”, emphasising the fact that mothers are strong and that pregnancy is not a reason for them to quit the things they love doing. The video ends by reaffirming this sentiment:

“So, can you be an athlete? If you aren’t, no one is.”

 

Nike’s powerful advert portrays various well-established athletes—among them tennis, soccer, and track professionals—in different stages of pregnancy and motherhood. These transformative experiences and life changes may feel overwhelming to a woman, especially when she is new to them. Pregnancy can indeed be the utmost test of stamina and endurance for a woman. But, as the advert ascertains, mothers are actually much tougher than they are given credit for.

It is truly empowering to acknowledge that women can be mothers and accomplish their life goals. If they cannot, no one can!

Kont f’paniku w onestament ħsibt fl-abort

“Kont f’paniku w onestament il-ħsieb ta’ l-abort għadda min moħħi. Nixtieq ngħid grazzi lil Life Line Malta għax bis-saħħa tagħhom it-tarbija tagħna ġiet salvata!”

Din hija l-istorja vera ta’ mara li esperjenzat tqala mhux pjanata u li ġiet megħjuna minn Life Line Malta.

Nisa li jinsabu fi krizi ta’ tqala, dijanosi negattiva waqt it-tqala jew akkompanjament lin-nies li għaddejin mit-trauma tal-abort, ċemplu lill Life Line Malta fuq 20330023.

Life Line is the support and care arm of Life Network Foundation  

Bdejt naħseb fl-abort għaliex diġà kelli t-tfal

“Bdejt naħseb fl-abort għaliex diġà kelli t-tfal u peress li kelli problema tad-droga, ma stajtx inkun l-omm li xtaqt li kont.”

Din hija l-istorja vera ta’ mara li esperjenzat tqala mhux pjanata u li ġiet megħjuna minn Life Line Malta.

Nisa li jinsabu fi krizi ta’ tqala, dijanosi negattiva waqt it-tqala jew akkompanjament lin-nies li ghaddejin mit-trauma tal-abort, ċemplu lill Life Line Malta fuq 20330023.

Life Line is the support and care arm of Life Network Foundation

Life Line Malta gave me light in time of darkness

“Accidentally I got pregnant for the second time and I wanted to end my pregnancy. Life Line Malta gave me light in time of darkness.”

This is the real story of a young woman who was in a crisis pregnancy situation. She received all the help needed from Life Line Malta. Listen to her touching story!

For women in crisis pregnancy, negative pre-natal diagnoses & post-abortion healing please call Life Line Malta on 2033 0023

Life Line Malta is the support & care arm of Life Network Foundation

Bħala familja lesta biex tgħin lin-nisa li għaddejjin min kriżi ta’ tqala

“Life Network hija bħala familja lesta biex tgħin lin-nisa li għaddejjin min kriżi ta’ tqala.”

Din hija l-istorja ta’ mara li esperjenzat tqala mhux pjanata u li llum il-ġurnata tghin  nisa ohra li għaddejjin mill-listess sitwazzjoni simili taghha.

Nisa li jinsabu fi krizi ta’ tqala, dijanosi negattiva waqt it-tqala jew akkompanjament lin-nies li ghaddejin mit-trauma tal-abort, ċemplu lill Life Line Malta fuq 20330023.

Life Line Malta is the support and care arm of Life Network Foundation

Argentineans Fall Victim to Legalized Abortion

Argentineans Fall Victim to Legalized Abortion

In the chaos that characterized the end of 2020, many people missed one of the most important – and discouraging – stories of the year. In the waning hours of 2020, the Argentinean Senate voted 38-29 to legalize abortion-on-demand up to the 14th week of pregnancy. The Chamber of Deputies had passed the bill a few weeks earlier.

And so, one more nation falls to the culture of death.

The scenes from Argentina in the moments after the Senate vote was announced were reminiscent of the scenes from Ireland in 2018, after the vote to repeal the 8th Amendment, which had banned abortion in the Catholic country. As in Ireland, the pro-abortion crowds gathered in the streets of Argentina screamed and shouted and wept, hugging one another in raptures of joy.

As someone who knows that the unborn child is a living human being, as deserving of the right to life as you or I, it is difficult to reconcile these scenes of happiness with the reality of what had just occurred. People were openly celebrating the “right” to kill other human beings. They were shedding tears of joy over this “progress.”

If only those pro-abortion activists knew what they had just unleashed on their country! In one fell swoop they had just undermined the entire foundation of the edifice of human rights, and potentially paved the way for the further advancement of the culture of death in the region.

As Pope St. John Paul II wrote in Christifideles Laici,

The inviolability of the person which is a reflection of the absolute inviolability of God, finds its primary and fundamental expression in the inviolability of human life. Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights – for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture – is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination. (no. 38)

International Pressure

The pro-life organization C-Fam reports that the abortion law passed in Argentina is especially sinister in a number of ways.

“Argentina’s new law doesn’t just decriminalize abortion,” writes Stefano Gennarini. “It declares abortion-on-demand in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy an international human right. It refers to ‘gestating persons’ instead of pregnant women. Girls as young as 13 will be able to get an abortion without parental consent under the new law.”

In addition, the law erodes conscience rights, making it illegal for nurses or doctors to try to convince a woman not to get an abortion.

Argentina only legalized abortion after an intense pressure campaign from wealthy and powerful developed nations. As Gennarini reports, “Argentina was urged to legalize abortion by Germany, France, and Norway, and another half-dozen countries in the Human Rights Council in Geneva in 2017, when it last reported on its human rights record.”

In addition, according t0 Gennarini, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) “had made legalizing abortion a condition of repackaging Argentina’s out of control national debt.” In other words, powerful international forces had blackmailed Argentina into sacrificing its unborn children, in exchange for financial benefits.

In general, Latin America remains strongly pro-life. Only a few nations allow abortion, and even then, abortion is typically only legal in a certain number of cases. However, international pro-abortion forces believe that once they can get a foothold on the region, then perhaps they might see a domino effect, with other nations soon following suit.

Pro-Lifers Prepare to Fight

HLI has been for nearly three decades an active participant in the pro-life movement in Argentina. I personally have been on missions in this country, working closely with our affiliates and international team in Latin America. Through these affiliate relationships and in collaboration with Church and civil leaders, as well as with other pro-life activists, we have worked tirelessly on the cultural battlefield in Argentina to protect human life from the culture of death, educating the public on the intrinsic evil of abortion and the dire consequences if accepted and legalized. Pro-life advocates in Argentina fought vigorously to protect their nation and people from the ensuing violence and they are to be commended for their heroic efforts.

The legalization vote came after a multi-year fight, in which pro-life activists in the country ran one of the most sophisticated, jubilant, and massive pro-life campaigns in history.

Each side in the debate was represented by a certain color – the pro-life side by blue, and the pro-abortion side by green. Over the past two years, the pro-life side has organized some of the largest pro-life marches in history, with an estimated attendance of multiple millions of participants across the country.

The imagery from these marches is astonishing and inspiring. Massive crowds of young families danced and sang through the streets, many of them dressed in blue or carrying blue banners. Vast seas of pro-life Argentineans hit the streets to tell legislators that they stand with the vulnerable.

The loss with this legalization is crushing for the country’s pro-life activists. But with an indefatigable spirit, they are vowing to continue fighting. And they have a plan.

“First, we’re trying to brake this in court,” pro-life leader Camila Duro told LifeSiteNews in a recent interview. “After that,” she said, “the cultural battle is the priority. We’ll work to make abortion unthinkable. We’ll fight. Our doctors and the people are mostly against abortion. This is just a new start.” (emphasis added)

Life: The First and Foundational Human Right

All human rights originate in the immutable and innate dignity of the human person. In our times, evil forces are working tirelessly to degrade the fundamental uniqueness and inviolable dignity of every human person, most especially the child in the womb.

Is killing a human right? If killing an innocent child in the womb is a “human right,” then the same right gives me the permission, the right, to arbitrarily kill someone outside the womb. There is no distinction. Mother Teresa spoke of this issue: “If we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell people not to kill one another?”

In a powerful statement on abortion, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith noted:

“The first right of the human person is his life. He has other goods and some are more precious, but this one is fundamental – the condition of all the others. Hence it must be protected above all others. It does not belong to society, nor does it belong to public authority in any form to recognize this right for some and not for others.” (Declaration on Procured Abortion, no. 11)

 

A child in the womb is an independent life, separate from the life of the mother – just like a person walking alongside me on the street. By denying the right to life to an entire class of its most vulnerable citizens, Argentina has opened the door to all manner of human rights abuses, and to societal and family breakdown.

However, the Argentinean pro-life movement is prepared for the fight, for as long as it might last.

“It was painful. Very painful,” Camila Duro said of the vote to legalize abortion. “I think the best we can do is to fight this battle till the end. The worst thing is to consider how many years this new battle is going to take, and how many babies are going to die because of this law, and how many women are going to be broken because of abortion.”

Pro-life activists, like those in Argentina, are the true civil rights heroes of our time. Despite facing powerful and well-funded international pro-abortion forces, they retain a spirit of hope and determination. The same is true here in the United States, and in so many nations around the world.

Though the culture of death is dominant in so much of the world, we know that death will not have the final word. “O grave, where is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” wrote St. Paul to the Corinthians. The culture of death has claimed, and will claim, many lives. But it is not the final word. For, continues St. Paul, “thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

This is www.hli.org opinion piece

Ref: https://www.hli.org/2021/01/argentineans-fall-victim-to-legalized-abortion/?vcrmeid=BdotVti4kGMR7m2OWnSuw&vcrmiid=4Bgye-70G0mwUcPF91joPA

  

Mother who adopted baby with Down’s syndrome shares her inspiring story

Mother who adopted baby with Down’s syndrome shares her inspiring story

A mother who adopted a child with Down’s syndrome has shared her inspiring story.

The anonymous mother, who adopted Harry, shared her adoption story with the Metro, as part of their ‘Adoption Month’ news coverage. 

After struggles with infertility and a miscarriage, the mum decided she wanted to adopt, and was approved to adopt a child aged three or older. 

After several months in the process, she was given Harry’s profile.

“I asked specifically for a child with Down’s syndrome and the very next day, I received Harry’s details.”

Harry was a dream from day one

When the mother received Harry’s details, he was just four months old. 

Despite being only approved to adopt a child aged three or over, her unique experience meant that the adoption agency made an exception and allowed her to adopt Harry.

The mum had grown up in a family where disability was not uncommon. 

“To me, disability isn’t something unusual – it’s just a part of life. My little sister has Down’s syndrome and is just a few years younger than me, and I also have other disabled family members.”

In July 2016, after six months of paperwork, she finally got to take him home. “Harry was a dream from day one,” she said.

“My family were overjoyed when I adopted Harry.”

There were challenges of course: “When he was young, he used to often be sick at night, all over the bed, due to reflux issues. Cleaning up the vomit for the millionth time is the only time I thought to myself ‘I can’t do this’ – but you just have to grin and bear it.

“That’s what being a parent is at times!

“He is so bright and super sociable. We both love being outdoors and often walk around the lake near our house or visit animals at the nearby farm.

“To me, Harry is just a boy. Some days, I completely forget that he has Down’s syndrome.”

I’m now looking at adopting a second child

Children born with Down’s syndrome are often hard to place. “There are so many kids out there who need a home. I would absolutely encourage people to adopt a disabled child, as they can be the hardest to place but have so much love to give.”

“I’m now looking at adopting a second child, perhaps one with Down’s syndrome – but I am keeping an open mind. Fingers crossed, Harry will have another sibling next year.”

Scale of Down’s syndrome abortions

Sadly, this inspiring story takes place against the backdrop of 3,183 disability selective abortions across England & Wales in just 2019, with 656 of those occurring following a prenatal diagnosis of Down’s syndrome.

At the same time, a recent report revealed that pregnant mothers who refuse to abort their children with Down’s syndrome are being pressured by some medical professionals to change their decision.

One mother, whose child is now four-years-old, said medical professionals told her they could leave her baby with Down’s syndrome to die if it was struggling after birth.

Another mum recounted that even at 38 weeks pregnant she was being offered an abortion.

Right to Life UK spokesperson Catherine Robinson said, “Unfortunately there is so much stigma surrounding Down’s syndrome and more inspiring stories like this one need to be heard. But there is hope. The High Court in London will soon hear a landmark case against the UK Government over the country’s discriminatory abortion legislation, which singles out babies with disabilities by allowing terminations right through to birth for conditions including Down’s syndrome, cleft lip and club foot.”

“This young mum’s story is just one example of the positive impact that the Down’s syndrome and disability communities have across the United Kingdom. In 2019, 656 babies were aborted due to a prenatal diagnosis of Down’s syndrome. Every one of those lives lost represents a failure of our society to embrace those with disabilities inside and outside the womb.”

 

This is www.righttolife.org.uk opinion piece

Ref: https://righttolife.org.uk/news/mother-who-adopted-baby-with-downs-syndrome-shares-her-inspiring-story/