Decision blasts judge’s order to force abortion

Decision blasts judge’s order to force abortion - BostonHerald.com: In a December hearing, the Department of Mental Health applied for temporary guardianship for the parents of the 32-year-old woman — referred to as “Mary Moe” — to let them consent to an abortion for their daughter, who already had one child currently in their care.

Harms approved guardianship, ruling Moe could be “‘coaxed, bribed, or even enticed ... by ruse’ into a hospital where she would be sedated and an abortion performed,” the appellate ruling states. “Additionally ... and without notice, the judge directed that any medical facility that performed the abortion also sterilize Moe at the same time to avoid this painful situation from recurring.”

The decision notes that Moe, when asked whether she would have an abortion, told Harms she “wouldn’t do that,” but that based on her “substantial delusional beliefs,” Harms found Moe incompetent to make a decision.

An appeals court overturned the decision.

Related page from the Holocaust Museum: MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED: VICTIMS OF THE NAZI ERA

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Richer girls 'more likely to have an abortion' if they fall pregnant under age

Under-age girls who become pregnant are most likely to have an abortion if they live in prosperous areas, figures show. In some of the wealthiest parts of the UK four out of five under-age pregnancies end in an abortion, but in poorer areas under-age girls are twice as likely to keep their child. Experts say it is the aspirations of well-off families that lead to a higher abortion rate, as girls opt not to miss out on their education. In poorer regions where underage pregnancy is perceived as ‘less of a problem’ fewer abortions are carried out as a result. Daily Mail

My Mom's Abortion Failed, so I'm Alive to Talk about it

Melissa Ohden’s biological mother had an early induction abortion in 1977, however, Melissa was later born alive and showed too many signs of life to go unnoticed by nurses attending the abortion.

According to a 2007 UK study on abortions due to diagnosed disability, babies continue to struggle for life after being forced from the womb in 1 out of 30 cases. The study said the children, sometimes gasping for breath and crying weakly, survive for an average of 80 minutes - with some clinging to life for as long as six hours. Most of the children were aborted between 20 and 24 weeks' gestation.

"The sheer number of survivors really is overwhelming," said Ohden. During her travels speaking on the subject, she continues "to learn of more and more children like me" who have survived an attempt on their life in the womb. "Unfortunately, they have faced their own fair share of struggles with shame and embarrassment, limitations from disabilities, that have silenced them from sharing their stories with the world - just as I was silenced by my own shame, guilt, and embarrassment for so long." LifeSiteNews

Bristol Palin responds to Family Guy portrayal of brother Trig

"My siblings and I all have that, but insults directed at our youngest brother hurt too much for us to remain silent. People with special needs face challenges that many of us will never confront, and yet they are some of the kindest and most loving people you'll ever meet. Their lives are difficult enough as it is, so why would anyone want to make their lives more difficult by mocking them?" she responded. "As a culture, shouldn't we be more compassionate to innocent people – especially those who are less fortunate? Shouldn't we be willing to say that some things just are not funny?" LifeNews

Dutch Debate Ultrasound Use as Late Abortions Skyrocket

The Dutch government introduced the 20-week ultrasound for all pregnant women in 2007. Since then, the number of abortions between weeks 20 and 24 have doubled. Some lawmakers are pushing to postpone the official ultrasound to the 24th week. If the proposal fails to get support, pro-life legislators would work to cap legal abortion at 18 weeks.

Experts have also concluded that the ultrasound was one reason there were no reports of euthanizing newborn babies in 2008, as children who would have been euthanized for severe birth defects instead were killed in the womb. LifeSiteNews

Study: Down Syndrome Births Up

A new study finds that there has been an increase in the number of children born with Down syndrome. One reason for the increase may be that women wait longer to have children, which increases the chances of a child being born with Down syndrome. Another could be that more families choose not to terminate a pregnancy. NPR

Down's syndrome abortions 'are double official level' as doctors spare women's feelings

The National Down's Syndrome Cytogenetic Register said that over the last four years fewer than half of abortions of Down's babies were recorded properly. Between 2004 and 2008, a total of 4,777 abortions were carried out on foetuses with the disability, with 1,032 terminated last year, it said. In contrast, Department of Health figures show that between 2004 and 2008, a total of 2,168 Down's abortions were recorded, 436 of them last year. The Down's register records all diagnoses of the syndrome and related chromosomal abnormalities. Christian Institute

Antibacterial Medication Use During Pregnancy and Risk of Birth Defects

A study was conducted to estimate the association between antibacterial medications and selected birth defects. Reassuringly, penicillins, erythromycins, and cephalosporins, although used commonly by pregnant women, were not associated with many birth defects. Sulfonamides and nitrofurantoins were associated with several birth defects, indicating a need for additional scrutiny. Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine

Three babies aborted every day due to Down syndrome

A study shows the number of terminations has more than trebled in the last 20 years. An increasing number of pregnant women are being told their babies have the condition because of a growing number of women putting off having children until their 30s and 40s and improvements in screening, doctors say. And around nine in ten women who are told they are going to have a baby with the problem opt for a termination.

The figures showed that diagnoses of Down syndrome increased from 1,075 in 1989/90 to 1,843 in 2007/8. Yet the numbers of babies born with the condition fell by one per cent from 752 to 743. If women were not screened for the condition the number of babies born with Down syndrome would have increased by half and would now have reached 1,422 in a year in England and Wales.

Frank Buckley, chief executive of Down Syndrome Education International said: "People with Down syndrome are living longer and achieving more than ever before and it is reassuring to know that they will be continuing to make valued contributions to our communities for years to come. "These figures should be a wake-up call to policy-makers to focus more effort on improving education, healthcare and adult support for the rapidly growing population of citizens who have Down syndrome."

Peter Elliott, Chairman of The Down Syndrome Research Foundation, who has a 24-year-old son David with Down Syndrome, said: "Why are the abortions at such a high rate unless they have been given the impression the situation was terrible and it warranted an abortion? I don't think the choice is presented to the parents in the light of the true situation where the children have a good life and are in fact viewed as a blessing to the parents, not a curse, and I don't think these parents getting the abortions know much about Down syndrome at all." Telegraph

Sportsmanship wins

Matt is a special athlete who has Down Syndrome. He loves football. This year, he told his mother and father he wanted to play. He puts his pads and helmet on, stands next to Coach McCamy and waits for his turn. Over and over during the course of the game Matt will say, "Coach McCamy, I am ready! I am ready Coach!" On this Monday night coach gave him a chance. The Cardinals were down by a few touchdowns with 15 seconds left. Coach McCamy called a timeout and asked the coach of Maryville High School if they could run their "Matt Play." He agreed and this is where the video begins. YouTube, LifeSiteNews

Choosing Thomas

Facing death can be hardest for a family expecting new life. Follow T.K. and Deidrea Lauxs journey after they learn that their unborn son has a genetic disorder called Trisomy 13. They hope the intimate look helps others understand and cope with infant loss. YouTube

Higher Use of Detailed Ultrasounds Yields More Abortions

A new study involving researchers at Cornell University finds that a more frequent use of detailed ultrasound on women who have babies with majority physical abnormalities results in more abortions. While ultrasounds have increased a respect for the lives of unborn children and are credited with helping more than 80 percent of women choose abortion alternatives, the study shows they can be used for a destructive purpose as well. LifeNews, Journal of Ultrasound Medicine

Baby Faith Dies at 93 Days

Faith Hope Walker passed away peacefully this weekend in the arms of her mother Myah. Faith was born with a condition called anencephaly, in which a portion of the child’s brain fails to fully develop. Myah was pressured by hospital staff to have an abortion. Doctors told her that Faith was alive only because "she was attached" to her mother and that even if she survived to birth, she would be neither able to hear nor see. She refused. “For some reason I had to give the doctors my decision over and over again, which was frustrating. One doctor asked, 'Can I ask why you want to continue this pregnancy?' I guess some people are baffled by unconditional love.” LifeSiteNews, Myah's blog

Down Syndrome Yields Key Cancer Clue

Solid tumors are very rare in people with Down syndrome. Why? The answer almost certainly lies among the 231 extra genes they inherit with their extra copy of chromosome 21. People with Down syndrome rarely get diseases linked to the overgrowth of blood vessels. One of the genes on chromosome 21 encodes a protein that blocks a factor needed for blood vessel growth. This protein, DSCR1, is overproduced in people with Down syndrome. Web MD

Choosing not to abort babies with disabilities

Nancy Mayer-Whittington remembers it as though it were yesterday; the joy of learning she was pregnant followed by the news that her daughter's first day of life would be her last. She was the first woman her doctor knew who had decided to keep her pregnancy. All his other patients in similar situations had aborted. "I was so happy I did what I did," she says of her decision to bring Angela to term. Washington Times

My son Zane

Nine out of every 10 Down syndrome babies are aborted. Zane was a number 10. My wife and I don’t think we are better than anyone else, but the thought of aborting our baby never crossed our minds. We didn’t have an amniocentesis done because of the possibility of it causing a miscarriage. But we thought, “What difference does it make? We plan to keep this baby even if there is some birth defect.” We did not learn of Zane’s condition until the moment of his birth. It was one of the happiest moments of my life while at the same time it was also one of profound sadness. Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

Layla’s Legacy

Layla was prenatally diagnosed with hydrocephalus, but before delivery, the severity of her condition was uncertain. Upon birth, a dismal report surfaced quickly. Layla’s condition was severe, and the initial MRI revealed that only her brainstem was functioning. Even though the doctors felt Layla wouldn’t respond to light or sound, she responded to the flash of a camera, appeared ticklish to the touch, her heart rate seemed to slow as we read to her, and she made noises as if to acknowledge our presence. Layla had one of the longest visiting lists in the NICU. Visitors came to hold, rock, and sing to her. Read more about how Bethany Christian Services ministered to Layla