© Courtney Baker
Brilio.net/en - Florida mom Courtney Baker expected no bumps on the road when she learned a third child was on her way. "My first two pregnancies were so easy. I was expecting this one to be easy too," she told CNN. But a couple weeks later she was found out earth-shattering news about her baby. She was prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome.
And the doctors response was less than supportive.
"Instead of support and encouragement, you suggested we abort our child. I told you her name and you asked us again if we understood how low our quality of life would be with a child with Down syndrome." According to Courtneys letter, the doctor suggested that they aborty Emersyn, even after the couple told the doctor the babys name.
During such an emotionally difficult time, its hard to fathom that another human, especially one like a doctor whose role it is to guide in times of medical hardship, would suggest such an outrageous comment.
"The most difficult time in my life was made nearly unbearable because you never told me the truth. My child was perfect."
Courtneys letter is poignant and emotional, and even in her hurt and sorrow she only extends love to the doctor, who didnt extend that love to her then unborn child. This love, no doubt, was inspired Emmy, who opened my eyes to true beauty and pure love.
Courtney posted the open-letter on her Facebook, and weve shared it below.
Dear Doctor,
A friend recently told me of when her prenatal specialist would see her child during her sonograms. He would check over her baby and comment, Hes perfect. Once her son was born with Down syndrome, she visited that same doctor. He looked at her little boy and said,
I told you. Hes perfect.
Her story tore me apart. While I was so grateful for my friends experience, it filled me with such sorrow because of what I should have had. I wish you would have been that doctor.
I came to you at the most difficult time in my life. I was terrified, anxious, and in complete despair. I didnt know the truth yet about my baby, and thats what I desperately needed from you. But instead of support and encouragement, you suggested we abort our child. I told you her name and you asked us again if we understood how low our quality of life would be with a child with Down syndrome. You suggested we reconsider our decision to continue the pregnancy. From that first visit, we dreaded our appointments. The most difficult time in my life was made nearly unbearable because you never told me the truth.
My child was perfect.
Im not angry. Im not bitter. Im really just sad. Im sad that the tiny beating hearts you see every day dont fill you with a perpetual awe. Im sad that the intricate details and the miracle of those sweet little fingers and toes, lungs and eyes and ears, dont always give you pause. Im sad that you were so very wrong to say that a baby with Down syndrome would decrease our quality of life. And Im heartbroken that you might have said that to a mommy even today. But Im mostly sad that youll never have the privilege of knowing my daughter. Emersyn.
Because, you see, Emersyn has not only added to our quality of life, shes touched the hearts of thousands. Shes given us a purpose and a joy that is impossible to express. Shes given us bigger smiles, more laughter, and sweeter kisses than weve ever known. Shes opened our eyes to true beauty and pure love.
So my prayer is that no other mommy will ever have to go through what I did. My prayer is that you, too, will now see true beauty and pure love with every life displayed on every sonogram. And my prayer is when you see that next baby with Down syndrome lovingly tucked in her mothers womb, you will look at that mommy and see me, then tell her the truth
Your child is absolutely perfect.
(brl/red)
