23-Year-Old Christian Woman with Down Syndrome Takes a Stand against Being Screened Out
A 23-year-old woman from the UK who has been outspoken about her life with Down syndrome is taking a stand against disability screening.
Coventry native Heidi Crowter stated that her parents “are being told lies” about Down syndrome. The 23-year-old is hopeful that she can lead by example, and that her life and strong faith will defy the misconceptions held by many.
Heidi is actively involved with Don’t Screen Us Out, a campaign group focused on bringing awareness to Non-Invasive-Prenatal Testing (NIPT), a practice that will likely result in a high number of abortions in the U.K.
Recent figures for Great Britain report that around 92% of pregnancies in which Down syndrome is identified result in abortion.
In Iceland, where NIPT screening has already been introduced, the abortion rate for babies with Down syndrome stands at nearly 100%.
In an interview with The Christian Institute, Heidi’s mother, Liz, stated that in Great Britain: “As abortion is legal up to birth for severe handicap, the pressure to abort is immense”.
“As a parent of a child with Down’s syndrome I see a decline in their numbers being a direct result of discrimination”.
Heidi added: “I think my concern is that more and more babies will be screened out. I’m trying to get them to actually meet the person first, and also to get them to understand the person with Down’s syndrome has a lot to give to life”.
“My life is just as important and just as joyful as everybody else’s” she asserted.
As the new screening rapidly approaches, Heidi’s mother noted “We are moving quickly into a society where only perfect babies and children are wanted. We must stop and consider what we want our society to look like.”
Photo courtesy: Olivia Snow/Unsplash
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