Eye to Eye: Down Syndrome

Here is another insightful video, from CBS, of one woman's experience with prenatal testing...

Choosing Life

Three years ago my wife and I were challenged with the need to pursue adopting a baby with Down syndrome when we discovered, among other things, that the termination rate for mothers who test positive for having a baby with Down syndrome is between 80 and 90%. This past December the Lord answered our prayers with a beautiful baby girl named Emma, pictured here with her equally beautiful mommy.

Along with pursuing the adoption itself, we have been passionate about creating awareness of the issue here in Canada. The Lord first answered this need through a McLean's magazine article we were interviewed for a couple years ago. We have also tried our best to set up an maintain this website, which definitely needs more time and expertise, to draw attention to the issue. Recently though, God has been using a very different platform to shed light on this issue.

When I first heard about the selection of Gov. Palin as John McCain's VP running mate I was very excited because I knew a bit about her family, specifically her new baby, through an Albert Mohler article I read a few months ago. I knew that this would bring attention to this whole issue, but I had no idea about the kind of reaction that would follow.

This morning I read a post on Justin Taylor's blog (one that I vistit regularly and highly recommend) that has really upset me about the following comments made by Dr. Andre Lalonde in a recent Globe and Mail article.

...others fear Ms. Palin's emergence as a parental role model sends a different message. As a vocal opponent of abortion, Ms. Palin's widely discussed decision to keep her baby, knowing he would be born with the condition, may inadvertently influence other women who may lack the necessary emotional and financial support to do the same, according to André Lalonde, executive vice-president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

Dr. Lalonde said that above all else, women must be free to choose, and that popular messages to the contrary could have detrimental effects on women and their families.

"The worry is that this will have an implication for abortion issues in Canada," he said.

Well Dr. Lalonde, let me say that I for one certainly hope that this will have an implication for abortion issues in Canada. I hope and pray that God will use this family as a positive example of one woman's choice for life. That seeing this family love and embrace this beautiful baby boy will challenge and encourage others to do the same.

Dobson on Bristol Palin's Pregnancy

The following quote is taken from Political Punch a blog written by ABC News Senior National Correspondent Jake Tapper.

September 01, 2008 1:52 PM

Dr. James C. Dobson of Focus on the Family issued the following statement:

"In the 32-year history of Focus on the Family, we have offered prayer, counseling and resource assistance to tens of thousands of parents and children in the same situation the Palins are now facing. We have always encouraged the parents to love and support their children and always advised the girls to see their pregnancies through, even though there will of course be challenges along the way. That is what the Palins are doing, and they should be commended once again for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances.

"Being a Christian does not mean you're perfect. Nor does it mean your children are perfect. But it does mean there is forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord. I've been the beneficiary of that forgiveness and restoration in my own life countless times, as I'm sure the Palins have.

"The media are already trying to spin this as evidence Gov. Palin is a 'hypocrite,' but all it really means is that she and her family are human. They are in my prayers and those of millions of Americans."