A US mother has written a powerful letter to the doctor who advised her to abort her baby.
Courtney Baker, from Sanford, Florida, was advised to abort after her unborn child was given a Down's syndrome diagnosis, because it would 'lower her quality of life'. Even after she refused, she said that she continued to feel pressured.
Her little girl, Emersyn Faith, is now 15 months old and a delight to her family and those around her.
Baker, who has two other children without the condition, has wanted to write the letter since before Emersyn was born, and last month mailed it to her doctor.
'My child was perfect'
Baker shared the letter's contents online. "From that first visit, we dreaded our appointments. The most difficult time in my life was made nearly unbearable because you never told me the truth. My child was perfect," it reads.
She told the doctor that she was not "angry" or "bitter" – just "really sad".
'You were so very wrong'
"I'm sad the tiny beating hearts you see every day don't fill you with a perpetual awe. I'm sad the intricate details and the miracle of those sweet little fingers and toes, lungs and eyes and ears don't always give you pause. I'm sad you were so very wrong to say a baby with Down syndrome would decrease our quality of life. And I'm heartbroken you might have said that to a mommy even today. But I'm mostly sad you'll never have the privilege of knowing my daughter, Emersyn.
'A joy impossible to express'
"Emersyn has not only added to our quality of life, she's touched the hearts of thousands. She's given us a purpose and a joy that is impossible to express. She’s given us bigger smiles, more laughter and sweeter kisses than we've ever known. She's opened our eyes to true beauty and pure love."
"So my prayer is that no other mommy will have to go through what I did. My prayer is that you, too, will now see true beauty and pure love with every sonogram.
"And my prayer is when you see that next baby with Down syndrome lovingly tucked in her mother's womb, you will look at that mommy and see me then tell her the truth: 'Your child is perfect.'"
'God can change any heart'
Courtney Baker hopes that God will use the letter to touch the doctor's heart, and that future babies with Down's syndrome will be saved.
"Every action, from opening and closing the mailbox to raising the red flag, was closure for me. I have no idea how the doctor might have reacted to my letter, but I do have faith that God can work any miracle and he can change any heart," she said.
New pre-natal test puts Down's babies at risk
Over 90% of mothers who are told their child will have Down's syndrome choose to abort.
Non-invasive pre-natal testing (NIPT) has recently been approved in the UK as an alternative screening method. Offered at between 10-14 weeks of pregnancy, it can detect Down's syndrome by analysing fragments of the baby's DNA in the mother's blood.
A slightly later test is available to women between 15 and 20 weeks, called amniocentesis. This test involves analysing cells found in the amniotic fluid, but scientists are hailing NIPT as being a less invasive alternative.
Christian Concern has responded to a consultation on the use of NIPT, highlighting how this may lead to a further 92 babies being aborted a year, on the basis of Down's syndrome.
Protecting those with Down's
The concerns surrounding NIPT are shared by many, who believe that babies with Down's syndrome, like Emersyn, should instead be loved, supported and valued.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Conservative MP Nigel Evans warned David Cameron that rather than reduce the number of miscarriages the new test will have "the unintended consequence of increasing the number of abortions for those with Down's syndrome".
He went on to challenge the Prime Minister to "look at ways of protecting those with Down's syndrome and ensure that they will not be simply screened out".
Responding to Mr Evans' challenge the Prime Minister said there are "moral and ethical issues that need to be considered" when screening for Down's syndrome, and that the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, is "going to have to find a way through this".
Mr Evans has previously tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the government to delay the implementation of a new pre-natal screening test for Down's syndrome.
Don't Screen Us Out
The Don't Screen Us Out campaign, a coalition of Down's syndrome advocacy groups, are urging Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to delay the implementation of the new test.
The campaign coalition wants a full consultation with the community of people with Down's syndrome, and for medical reforms to be introduced which provide greater support for parents who have received a pre-natal diagnosis of Down's syndrome.
Visit the Don't Screen Us Out website for more information.
Related Links:
Mother pens letter to doctor who told her to abort her baby with Down syndrome (Live Action News)
Prime Minister questioned on screening out people with Down's Syndrome
Parliament to debate abortion on grounds of disability
Early Day Motion calls for Down's syndrome screening delay