archived-news

On the 21st of March, we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day. As a result, this week social media has been flooded with beautiful tributes and stories of amazing and inspiring people born with Down Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21. Celebrities and regular people have come forward to express their support for people born with Down’s and recognize their important contributions to our society.

Two beautiful people who have Down Syndrome, Kevin and Hannah, shared some amazing and powerful photos with us and they turned out to be a big hit on social media.

Their signs say it all: people with Down Syndrome don’t want their disability used to push abortion – and they are not ‘better off dead’, a reference to the sad fact that more than 90% of babies with Down Syndrome are aborted before birth.  

Their brave and beautiful photos certainly struck a chord on Facebook.  

“Handsome kid. I don't know how someone can look at that smile and think that people like him don't deserve to live.”

"Hannah you are such a beautiful young lady.  You are so brave sharing your message with the world. Who knows how many lives your precious little face will save. God bless you and your family. xxxxxxxx"

On a day where we celebrated the achievements and contributions of people with Down Syndrome, Kevin and Hannah’s statements were a stark reminder that people with the condition are in danger of being ‘screened out’. In Denmark, it is estimated that - due to prenatal screening, the last Down Syndrome baby will be born in Denmark in 2030.

These are horrifying thoughts.  In a society that prides itself on being progressive and modern, this points to an antiquated and medieval way of thinking.  Karen Gaffney- a disability rights advocate, swimmer, and public speaker with Down Syndrome - put it best when she said, “Here we are reversing damage of life in institutions, removing barriers to education, making inroads into a full and inclusive life for people like me, and we have those who say we shouldn't be born at all.”

What makes the shocking abortion statistics all the more tragic is that communities and families will be robbed of such wonderful members.  Studies has confirmed that a huge majority of families affected by Down Syndrome- including parents and siblings- love and are proud of their family member with Down Syndrome.  The same study also found that families’ experiences were unrelated to the severity of intellectual disability in the family member with Down Syndrome.

“These families were overwhelmingly happy,” said Dr Brian Skotko, co-director of the Down Syndrome program at Massachusetts General Hospital.  “And many felt their lives had been enriched.”

As we celebrate and recognize the many wonderful people with Down Syndrome around the world let us also fight to protect them abortion - because they do indeed make the world a better place. Thank you, Kevin and Hannah for reminding us of that.