“From that first visit, we dreaded our appointments.”
Courtney Baker of Sanford, Florida, has three daughters. Her youngest, Emersyn “Emmy” Faith, was diagnosed with Down syndrome while in utero. With the diagnosis confirmed, she became one of the many women who see a prenatal specialist throughout pregnancy. Prenatal specialists have an important job: to affirm the dignity of Life while caring for a mother who is likely petrified in the face of an unknown, often unexpected, diagnosis.
But Courtney’s prenatal specialist failed to do this important job well. Instead of affirming the dignity and immense value of Emmy’s young Life, Courtney’s doctor recommended abortion. Why? Because the doctor was convinced that Emmy’s so-called “quality of life” – and that of her parents – “would be horrible.”
Instead of telling Courtney the truth about Life, and what a blessing Emmy was and is, the doctor tried to sell her the despairing lies of the abortion industry. So Courtney wrote a letter to her doctor to set the record straight. Originally published by the Parker Myles Down syndrome community, founded by mom Kat Abianac, the letter has been picked up by some surprising sources.
Courtney says her family was transformed by Emmy’s entrance into their lives. Adored by her older sisters, Emmy lights up the room with irresistible happiness. Lies about “quality of life,” which pervade the American healthcare industry, are lost on the now-1-year-old Emmy, who loves life and exudes joy.
…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.
Courtney’s letter is direct and heartfelt, and not vindictive toward the doctor who wronged her. In fact, Courtney shares that she feels deep sadness for the doctor who has somehow moved through a career in prenatal medicine oblivious to the miraculous, awe-inspiring reality of preborn Life. She wrote:
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.
Courtney’s letter has been shared thousands of times in just a few days, but even more surprising than the letter’s popularity is one particular outlet which picked up the piece: ABC News. On Tuesday, the media mogul published the letter and comments from Courtney. The headline read: Mom and Baby With Down Syndrome Mail Letter to Doctor Who Suggested Abortion. ABC didn’t even perform the typical verbal sanitation that is ubiquitous in liberal media – for example, exchanging the word ‘abortion’ for the more palatable ‘termination.’
The Down syndrome community is experiencing an encouraging wave of acceptance, understanding, and unprecedented success. This is no doubt due in large part to mass communication mediums busting special-needs stigma on a daily basis. Sadly, though, there are still some – like Courtney’s prenatal specialist – who cannot or will not recognize the incredible gift of Life even in the most beautiful little forms, like Emmy Faith.