How people still view Down syndrome around the world

August 8, 2018 by David G. Lejeune 0 1

August 8, 2018

Dear Friend of the Jerome Lejeune Foundation,

For all the progress that has been made for individuals with Down syndrome, there is still much to be done. Here’s a global look:

In a controversial episode of the New Zealand T.V. show Shortland Street, a couple finds out the child they are expecting has Down syndrome. Their doctor encourages them to abort the child, and the father of the child states that carrying the child to term “will crush” his partner. It is unfortunate that the show is perpetuating these harmful stereotypes, instead of showing the truth of a Down syndrome diagnosis.
A recent U.S. poll shows that sixty-eight percent of Americans think that abortion of babies with Down syndrome should be illegal in the third trimester. This is a step in the right direction, but what about the other thirty-two percent? What about during the first and second trimesters?
Two Catholic mothers in Scotland are saying that now is the “time for society to start valuing people with Down syndrome”, and their call has been backed by Bishop Stephen Robson of Dunkeld Diocese, who said “society needs to start appreciating” those with the condition.
In a recent video, a doctor at the NYU School of Medicine argued for the right to elective abortion of babies with Down syndrome. While on one hand he said that he hopes more information about Down syndrome is given to parents, “[o]n the other hand, there are parents who are going to say, ‘The impairment is burdensome. I’d rather not do that.’ … I don’t think our society should tell people what to do when it comes to decisions about ending pregnancies as long as we are talking about fetuses with genetic problems.”

What can you do to help? You may not be able to adopt nine children with Down syndrome like a loving UK family has done, but there are other ways to support children and adults with Down syndrome!

Consider donating to the Jerome Lejeune Foundation USA to help us continue to change false perceptions about Down syndrome. Only with your help, can we advocate for individuals with Down syndrome! We appreciate your support.

Sincerely,