March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day so you may see an increase of articles about individuals with Down syndrome who have had great success in life. People like restaurant owner Tim Harris, special Olympian Karen Gaffney, model Madeline Stuart, and actress Lauren Potter are just a few of the over 400,000 individuals in the United States proving every day that Down syndrome is not a disease or disability, just a disorder.
Unfortunately, doctors have failed to hear this message. Far too often when Down syndrome is detected in a preborn baby, the first reaction of the doctor is to recommend an abortion. The parents are told they should not have to be burdened with this child who may need some extra tutoring, or even therapy and extra time being educated, resulting in abortion of these special children 75-92% of the time.
In response to the doctor’s prejudice and discrimination, in 2014 the Pennsylvania legislature passed, and Governor Corbett signed, “Chloe’s Law”. This legislation requires medical practitioners to give accurate information, provided by the PA Department of Health, about Down syndrome to the parents. It also requires the parents be given up-to-date information reviewed by medical experts as well as information about support services for children with Down syndrome to parents whose preborn child has been diagnosed with the disorder. The bill is named for Chloe Kondrich, an amazing 6th grader from Upper St. Clair who happens to have Down syndrome but could read by age 3 and has been in a regular classroom since first grade.
It is important that we do all we can to support those who have found out they are going to be blessed with a child with Down syndrome. These parents are frequently given all the negative information and the challenges that can arise and they often feel pressured to end the baby’s life before it has a chance to start. The goal of Chloe’s Law, and our goal overall, is to make sure parents of not just babies with Down syndrome, but all pre-born babies, have all the information they need to not be afraid but to always choose life.