Mom Writes Powerful Letter To Doctor Who Pushed Her To Abort Baby With Down Syndrome

When expecting parents learn their child-to-be has Down syndrome, it can take some adjusting.

People with Down syndrome have specific health and cognitive issues, and worse, they have to navigate a world that doesn't always understand or accept them. It can be a worrisome time for a parent.

But it's also a joyous time like any other birth, because a person with Down syndrome is first and foremost a person.

And plenty of them lead perfectly fulfilling, functional, and rich lives. A woman in Argentina recently became the first teacher with Down syndrome in her country, something she'd always dreamed of doing.

So when Maria Jordan MacKeigan learned that her second daughter, Jordan Grace, would have Down syndrome, she was prepared to face the challenges.

What she was less prepared for was the extremely negative reaction of one of her doctors.

The doctor didn't talk about all the ways people with Down syndrome lead full and happy lives, but instead focused on all the negative things. He went so far as to say that having a child with Down syndrome would have such a negative impact on MacKeigan and the rest of her family that she should really just terminate the pregnancy.

MacKeigan had other plans, though. She gave birth to her little girl and regrets nothing of her choice.

What's more, all the negativity the doctor talked about? She hasn't seen any of that. There are challenges to be sure, but the joy far outweighs them.

And when the time was right, MacKeigan wrote a letter to the doctor and posted it online for the world to see.

[H/T: The Mighty]

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

After an upsetting experience with a doctor who told her that her life would be "better" without her daughter with Down syndrome, author and activist Maria Jordan MacKeigan wrote the following response:

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

Dear Doctor,
You sat next to me in a cold conference room and told me that our baby would be born with Down syndrome. 

But you didn’t stop there.

You went on for more than 10 minutes, explaining to me that aborting this child at this stage was OK, or that I could still decide in the next two to three weeks.

You said our life would be very difficult and affected negatively by this child.

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

We met again after non-invasive test results came in — and again you went on and on about terminating my pregnancy.

Saying our life would be “better” without this baby.

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

Dear Doctor,
You failed to tell me that my baby would look into my eyes with trust and joy seconds after being born.

You failed to tell me that our baby would pull herself to a sitting position by holding on to my thumbs at only 2 days old.

You failed to mention that she would roll over at 6 weeks old.

You failed to mention any of the amazing things she could do.

You never once mentioned that our baby would be a joy and a gift.

You seemed more interested in making my baby non-existent.

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

Dear Doctor,
The fear you implanted in our hearts caused a lot of grieving, tears, anger, frustration and sadness.

It breaks my heart to think of all those mothers you may have scared into terminating their pregnancies, robbing them of the beauty Down syndrome can bring.

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

Our baby is not a mistake. I believe God doesn’t make mistakes.

Our baby has a name; she’s not a label.

Our baby has feelings and a magical personality. She has a way of magnetically attracting people to her.

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

Dear Doctor,
I invite you to do your human research, to follow families who are blessed with loved ones with Down syndrome on social media.

To see how we live each day, to witness the joy, the love, the ABILITY these wonderful people possess.

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

I’m writing this letter to respectfully let you know, you were wrong!

Your words impact others so I encourage you to humanize science and take the time to follow the lives of people with Down syndrome, to give parents hope.

Because the statistics you gave us have changed.

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

People with Down syndrome are not only living longer, they are owning businesses, they are getting married, and they are even winning Emmy’s!

Our loved ones are living full, beautiful lives. You must be willing to give them a chance, and offer a loving path for their parents to help them understand.

Our lives feel more blessed than we could have ever imagined. Our daughter is loved and cared for by many, including strangers.

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

She ended her letter with a message for parents who have just received a diagnosis:

If you have just been given a diagnosis of Down syndrome, I want to be the first to congratulate you! Welcome to #theluckyfew club. 

You will learn that your baby will look like your family, your baby will bring you so much love, and he or she will be successful in life with your guidance and with your advocacy.

Your baby will be unique, because we are all different yet we are all human, we all have a heart, and we all have feelings.

And the best part is that you will live a very “normal” life.

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Facebook / Maria Jordan MacKeigan - Down Syndrome Activist

You can learn more about MacKeigan's activism on her Facebook page and on her blog.

She's also the author of a kids' book,  A Princess Wish, all about growing up with a family member who has Down syndrome and learning to accept people of all abilities, inspired by her daughters.

SHARE this powerful message with anyone who believes that all people with all abilities have beautiful value.