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The Mother of a Down Syndrome Daughter Sent a Letter to the Doctor Who Advised Abortion

The Mother of a Down Syndrome Daughter Sent a Letter to the Doctor Who Advised Abortion

Yesterday, the world learned about Emmy, a little girl with Down syndrome. Her mother, Courtney Baker, made news when she sent a letter to the doctor who wanted to abort Emmy.

ABC News yesterday posted the story of Baker and her 15-month-old daughter, Emersyn Faith. Before Emersyn—she goes by “Emmy”—was born, Baker’s doctor “suggested she terminate her pregnancy,” according to the ABC story. And even after Baker refused the abortion, she said she still felt pressure from her doctor.

In the year since Emmy was born, Baker decided to write a letter to that doctor to tell him about the daughter he didn’t want Baker to let live. And at the end of last month, she did just that.

“Every action, from opening and closing the mailbox to raising the red flag, was closure for me,” Baker told ABC. “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. …

“I hope he sees Emmy. I hope he sees my words on paper. Emmy is proof that children with special needs are worthy and can change the world. She’s doing it right now.”

She posted her letter to the Parker Myles Facebook page.

Here’s it is:

Dear Doctor,

A friend recently told me of when her prenatal specialist would see her child during her sonograms, he would comment, “He’s perfect.” Once her son was born with Down syndrome, she visited that same doctor. He looked at her little boy and said, “I told you. He’s perfect.”

Her story tore me apart. While I was so grateful for my friend’s experience, it filled me with such sorrow because of what I should have had. I wish you would have been that doctor.

I came to you during the most difficult time in my life. I was terrified, anxious and in complete despair. I didn’t know the truth yet about my baby, and that’s what I desperately needed from you. But instead of support and encouragement, you suggested we terminate our child. I told you her name, and you asked us again if we understood how low our quality of life would be with a child with Down syndrome. You suggested we reconsider our decision to continue the pregnancy.

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.

I’m not angry. I’m not bitter. I’m really just sad. 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.

Because, you see, 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.”

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