Posted on 10/15/2021 2:53:32 PM PDT by Morgana
Zoey-Lea O’Hehir and her husband Jake are speaking out about the cruel way they found out their daughter Arlee has Down syndrome.
In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, O’Hehir said she was in the middle of teaching when she received the phone call delivering the diagnosis. She was told that her daughter had Down syndrome and that the doctor had already scheduled an abortion. “It was very scary and just the mention of termination struck a nerve,” she said. “Before I could say anything, before I could process anything or even breathe [he’d scheduled the termination].”
After trying for three years, the O’Hehirs were thrilled to be pregnant. But after the diagnosis, the care they received plummeted. After they refused the abortion, they were told that there were only three outcomes to expect: lifelong dialysis treatment, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Yet Arlee, now seven months old, is thriving and meeting all developmental milestones.
“She’s amazing and has brought so much happiness to our life,” her mother said. “She may have a little bit of low muscle tone, which comes with Down syndrome, but other than that she’s honestly just like a normal baby.”
Sadly, O’Hehir’s experience is far from rare. Down Syndrome Australia (DSA) said families were routinely pressured to have an abortion, or are not given enough support. “To hear families being repeatedly asked about termination and not supported in their decision [to proceed with the pregnancy] is a case of neglect,” DSA chief executive Ellen Skladzien said. “We heard about doctors who told families that their child would have a lifetime of suffering or that they would never achieve anything.”
Similar data has been found in the United States, where only 11% of women reported having a positive diagnosis experience. One survey found that 13% of doctors admitted to over-emphasizing the negative aspects of Down syndrome in an attempt to pressure parents into abortion. Yet medical advancements have ensured that people with Down syndrome are able to live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives than ever before. There is no excuse for this kind of ableism and misinformation to be so rampant in the medical field, and Down syndrome families deserve better.
We cannot allow defectives to be born if we want to create the master race.
Had a relative whose doctor told her her baby would be born a down syndrome baby, and encouraged her to abort. She was in her early 40’s. She is prolife and chose to continue the pregnancy and prepare for raising a down syndrome baby. She had a perfectly healthy baby upon delivery.
One day it will be compulsory. When The American Health System starts. And you will be compelled to pay for it.
If we overturn Roe they can’t. Plus most abortionist are older with one leg already in the grave. Who will they get to do abortions? Most would rather quit than do them.
On the other hand, our Transportation Secretary AND HIS husband adopted two innocent children. Were these innocent children ever given the option to abort their defective adoptive parents?
The ease with which so many medical personnel tolerate and carry out atrocities is disturbing.
And the doctors response? Did he/she say: Ooh, I f’d up.
If I recall correctly she changed doctors because he was adamant about her aborting.
Couple needs a second, INDEPENDENT opinion/evaluation. More than one medical monster has been known to push abortion of a healthy child, to gain the price of healthy organ donation and body parts research.
I had a sister with downs. She only lived to 13. All life is a gift from God. There are quite a few downs children in our church. Happy joyous children and loving parents who help them find their place in the world.
More people die from medical mistakes than anything else... The ‘Reproduction” specialists are worthless. I was told I couldn’t have any kids after a bike crash when I was 12... I now have 8 and I outlived the doctor that told me that.
DS babies are angels from God.
No way…
Doctors are infallible as so many here on FR portray them.
We’re starting to see the true personalities of doctors with this covid debacle. Evil and sold out. Not all but a lot are.
Even my cardiologist uncle is shocked by how many of gis colleagues have changed over the past 2 years.
Doctor knows best you know.
And if you disagree.... to the unemployment line with you comrade!
Rd later.
Eugenics as defined by the tolerant and caring left
Yes!
Ethics versus the dollar.
Probably best not to, but I would be tempted to go back to him and confront him. People can learn from their mistakes. Maybe he’d be willing to learn.
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