---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John McGuirk <mcguirk.john@gmail.com>
Date: Fri 26 Jan 2018 at 16:36
Subject: Down syndrome families say they will not be silenced in the abortion debate
To: mcguirk.john@gmail.com <mcguirk.john@gmail.com>



Good afternoon,

I have been asked to forward you the release below on behalf of a new group representing families of children with disabilities.

PRESS RELEASE


26 JANUARY 2018


Down syndrome families say they will not be silenced in the abortion debate


A new organisation representing people affected by disabilities has said that they refuse to be silenced in the debate around abortion currently taking place in Ireland. Disability Voices for Ireland said that it was appalling to see media commentators and abortion campaigners seek to dictate terms to families of children with disabilities in regard to what they could and could not say, and whether photographs of their children should be seen.

Anne Trainer, whose son Kevin has Down syndrome, said “We have an absolute right to include our children and our families in this debate, since they are central to the discussion and often wish to make their own voices heard. We refuse to hide them away. We want to remind the Irish people that people with disabilities have a right to life, and we will not go back to the time when people with disabilities were put out of sight and ignored,” she said.

“We have been getting calls and messages from parents all week who are very disappointed that Down Syndrome Ireland chose to issue a statement which implied criticism of parents who are engaged in pro-life activities. We have every right to express our deep concern at the proposal to introduce abortion into the country. In reality, babies with a disability are aborted in disproportionate numbers. This is heart-breaking and the reality is that abortion discriminates against babies diagnosed with a disability. This is the real disrespect to both children and adults with Down syndrome and their families. This is what has caused real sorrow and stress to parents,” she said.

Ms Trainer said that these families were joining with people living with disabilities to make sure their voices were heard in the referendum debate, and that they expected Disability Voices for Ireland to grow in the coming weeks, with some 50 families already involved.

Micheal O’Dowd, whose son Conor has Down syndrome said “Wherever you stand on abortion, the facts are impossible to ignore. People whose disabilities are detected before birth are effectively being wiped out by abortion. 90% of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome in Britain are aborted. In Denmark 98% of children like my son are aborted, with Iceland now reporting close to 100% abortion rate for babies with Down Syndrome. It is utterly devastating and we will not be silenced in speaking up for our children and the people that we love.”

Caitríona Cronin, whose little boy Joseph features in the Save the 8th billboards going up nationwide this week, said that her family feel it's very important we highlight this issue. “We want people to see Joseph for what he is - a smart adorable funny little boy who has a right to life here in Ireland when in so many other countries that right to life has been taken away. 90% of people like Joseph are now aborted before birth in Britain, and that means something, it’s not just a number.  We want Joseph to grow up in a culture where people with disabilities are loved and valued and cherished. How can that happen when most babies with disabilities are being aborted – when they are no longer being born?”

Other parents engaged in the issue said that media commentators like Fintan O’Toole of The Irish Times, were expressing anger and upset when the truth regarding the elimination of people with Down Syndrome was highlighted, but they expressed no anger and upset at the fact that 90% of people with Down syndrome were being aborted.  “It is suggested that photos of children with Down syndrome should not be used in this debate - but when legislation in other countries has led to over 90% of babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome being aborted, I don’t believe as a society we can afford to censor this reality,” said Martin & Sinead McBreen parents to Grace, a little girl with Down Syndrome.

Áine Healy whose son Tom has autism said that research shows that 64% of babies with spina bifida are aborted in other jurisdictions, while abortion rates for babies with cystic fibrosis can reach 90% according to some studies.  A study by Eurocat, which was set up to register congenital abnormalities across 23 countries, recently reported that 157 babies were aborted for cleft lip and palate in England and Wales between 2006 and 2010.

“All people affected by disability have a right to be heard on this issue. We are all entitled to our opinion, but we are not entitled to ignore or misrepresent the facts, which show that people with disabilities are in danger of being eliminated by abortion,” said Ms Healy


END

For more information please contact Michael O'Dowd: 087 2245532