Iceland is a cold place. And I’m not talking about the climate. It is government policy to encourage the eradication of the happiest, most loving people on earth from their population.
Despite the
fact that 99%
of people with Down syndrome say they are happy, the government of Iceland
is on a quest to exterminate these babies in the womb. A recent CBS News
report: Inside
the country where Down syndrome is disappearing, found that Iceland’s population
of around 330,000, averages just one or two children born with Down syndrome a
year.
Despite the
fact that 99%
of people with Down syndrome say they are happy, the government of Iceland
is on a quest to exterminate these babies in the womb. A recent CBS News
report: Inside
the country where Down syndrome is disappearing, found that Iceland’s population
of around 330,000, averages just one or two children born with Down syndrome a
year.
In the U.S.,
according to the National Down Syndrome
Society, about 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born each year. However,
the United States also has an estimated termination
rate for Down syndrome of 67 percent (1995-2011); in France it’s 77
percent (2015); and Denmark, 98 percent (2015). Abortion is legal in Iceland
after 16 weeks if the fetus has a deformity, which Down syndrome is included.
according to the National Down Syndrome
Society, about 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born each year. However,
the United States also has an estimated termination
rate for Down syndrome of 67 percent (1995-2011); in France it’s 77
percent (2015); and Denmark, 98 percent (2015). Abortion is legal in Iceland
after 16 weeks if the fetus has a deformity, which Down syndrome is included.
Despite the
high abortion rate of babies with Down syndrome, hundreds of families in the US
are on waiting lists to adopt them.
high abortion rate of babies with Down syndrome, hundreds of families in the US
are on waiting lists to adopt them.
Screening
Out Babies
Out Babies
The Icelandic government requires that all expectant mothers must be informed about prenatal
screening, which tests for Down syndrome. It is a search and destroy mission
but some get missed. Hulda Hjartardottir, head of the Prenatal Diagnosis Unit
at Landspitali University Hospital where around 70 percent of Icelandic
children are born, told CBS that some of the mothers at low risk for Downs
babies did not get screened.
screening, which tests for Down syndrome. It is a search and destroy mission
but some get missed. Hulda Hjartardottir, head of the Prenatal Diagnosis Unit
at Landspitali University Hospital where around 70 percent of Icelandic
children are born, told CBS that some of the mothers at low risk for Downs
babies did not get screened.
The hospital’s
counselor, Helga Sol Olafsdottir, advises women with a pregnancy showing
chromosomal abnormality: “This is your life — you have the right to choose
how your life will look like.” Later in the video, she warns that while
children with Down syndrome make look cute when they are little, they are not
so cute at 18.
counselor, Helga Sol Olafsdottir, advises women with a pregnancy showing
chromosomal abnormality: “This is your life — you have the right to choose
how your life will look like.” Later in the video, she warns that while
children with Down syndrome make look cute when they are little, they are not
so cute at 18.
In the video,
Iceland
After Assignment, hospital personnel are so blind to the evil of abortion
that a priest (surely not a Catholic one) can come around to help parents grieve
after an abortion. Prayer cards with tiny baby footprints are meant to console
parents who abort their babies for failing to make the grade.
Iceland
After Assignment, hospital personnel are so blind to the evil of abortion
that a priest (surely not a Catholic one) can come around to help parents grieve
after an abortion. Prayer cards with tiny baby footprints are meant to console
parents who abort their babies for failing to make the grade.
The first
female head bishop of the Church of Iceland, (an evangelical Lutheran
denomination) claims to have compassion for women choosing abortion because she
knows what it’s like to have a baby grow inside her.
female head bishop of the Church of Iceland, (an evangelical Lutheran
denomination) claims to have compassion for women choosing abortion because she
knows what it’s like to have a baby grow inside her.
“It is
probably the hardest thing a person can do to decide whether or not to abort a
fetus and without conscious or guilt for the decision,” she said. She said that the anti-abortion people in
Iceland are “a very small, very invisible group.” The reporter took note of how
unusual it is for a leader of a religion to publically support abortion.
probably the hardest thing a person can do to decide whether or not to abort a
fetus and without conscious or guilt for the decision,” she said. She said that the anti-abortion people in
Iceland are “a very small, very invisible group.” The reporter took note of how
unusual it is for a leader of a religion to publically support abortion.
For the
record, as of 2016, there are 12,414 Catholics in Iceland, which is 3.73
percent of the population. There are with 6 diocesan priests, 9 religious order
priests, and 38 sisters in religious orders. The CBS report did not include a
Catholic opinion for their story.
record, as of 2016, there are 12,414 Catholics in Iceland, which is 3.73
percent of the population. There are with 6 diocesan priests, 9 religious order
priests, and 38 sisters in religious orders. The CBS report did not include a
Catholic opinion for their story.
The
Gift Iceland Doesn’t Want
Gift Iceland Doesn’t Want
A number of
studies reveal that people with Down syndrome report happier lives than the
rest of the population. Results from a study published
in the American Journal of Medical Genetics found:
studies reveal that people with Down syndrome report happier lives than the
rest of the population. Results from a study published
in the American Journal of Medical Genetics found:
·
99
percent said they were happy with their lives
99
percent said they were happy with their lives
·
97
percent liked who they are
97
percent liked who they are
·
96
percent liked how they look
96
percent liked how they look
·
86
percent indicated they could make friends easily
86
percent indicated they could make friends easily
·
4
percent expressed sadness about their life.
4
percent expressed sadness about their life.
The
Power of Love
Power of Love
Thordis Ingadottir,
the mother of a 7-year old girl with Down syndrome is concerned about the
government’s coercion, although she still supports abortion. Thordis had
slipped through the cracks of prenatal testing, thinking the odds of her third
child having the condition were low.
the mother of a 7-year old girl with Down syndrome is concerned about the
government’s coercion, although she still supports abortion. Thordis had
slipped through the cracks of prenatal testing, thinking the odds of her third
child having the condition were low.
She fell in
love with her daughter and now criticizes the government for giving incomplete
information. Thordis also points out that there is a spectrum of problems that
a child can have from alcoholism to a propensity to commit crimes, so it’s
wrong to isolate Down syndrome as a reason to abort.
love with her daughter and now criticizes the government for giving incomplete
information. Thordis also points out that there is a spectrum of problems that
a child can have from alcoholism to a propensity to commit crimes, so it’s
wrong to isolate Down syndrome as a reason to abort.
 |
| Liz & Mike Gary Family |
My own
experience of knowing people with Down syndrome is that they are beautiful,
loving individuals. Liz Gary who shared her story in Amazing Grace for Married Couples,
credits the birth of her son with Down syndrome with
saving her marriage.
experience of knowing people with Down syndrome is that they are beautiful,
loving individuals. Liz Gary who shared her story in Amazing Grace for Married Couples,
credits the birth of her son with Down syndrome with
saving her marriage.
In the
story, “Fearing
My Daughter,” excerpted from Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories From Everyday Families,
Tom Machala explained how his daughter Grace brought great love into his family
story, “Fearing
My Daughter,” excerpted from Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories From Everyday Families,
Tom Machala explained how his daughter Grace brought great love into his family
 |
| Mahala Family |
“Her little personality began to captivate us
and all the boys [7 big brothers] fell deeply in love with their little
sister,” he said. “I believe it is because through Grace, our hearts have
grown. Her brothers constantly hug and kiss her and tell her they love her. The
boys were gifted athletically, while Grace, who cannot even run or jump is
gifted in love.”
and all the boys [7 big brothers] fell deeply in love with their little
sister,” he said. “I believe it is because through Grace, our hearts have
grown. Her brothers constantly hug and kiss her and tell her they love her. The
boys were gifted athletically, while Grace, who cannot even run or jump is
gifted in love.”
But the
Icelandic government wants to eradicate such love. It truly is a cold place. And growing colder.
Icelandic government wants to eradicate such love. It truly is a cold place. And growing colder.
~~~~~~~~
For more inspiration check out Patti’s latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.
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