A Mom Pens a Powerful Letter to the Doctor Who Told Her to Abort Her Child With Down Syndrome

Expecting a child is always a tremendous event for parents-to-be. Future moms go through various procedures to make sure their baby is healthy and comfortable in their belly. But there’re some parents who hear news that might be unsettling for many people: “Your baby may have Down syndrome.” And many just decide to give up. But today’s heroine is a perfect example of the contrary.

Here at Bright Side, we got acquainted with a mom who was advised to abort her baby with Down syndrome, but didn’t do it. Instead, she chose life for her little daughter Emmy. And in the bonus section, you’ll have a chance to read the full letter, which will definitely fill your heart with emotions.

The doctor’s words were like thunder in a blue sky.

It took more than a year for Courtney Baker to write and mail a very special letter. She had been thinking about it since she was pregnant with her daughter with special needs, Emersyn Faith.

The doctor, Courtney shared, suggested that she terminate her pregnancy. Even after she said no, she confessed that she still felt pressured. And now she says: “I knew how important it was going to be to write that letter before Emmy was even born.”

Writing and mailing a letter meant a lot for this mom.

One day, the mom, with the help of 15-month-old Emmy, finally dropped the letter in the mail. It was addressed directly to the doctor, who she said announced her daughter’s pre-birth diagnosis of Down syndrome. She then shared it on the Parker Myles Facebook page, where it has been shared by thousands of people.

Courtney reveals: “Every action, from opening and closing the mailbox to raising the red flag, was closure for me. I have no idea how the doctor might have reacted to my letter, but I do have faith that God can work any miracle, and he can change any heart.”

Courtney believes she’ll reach the hearts of all doctors with her letter.

Courtney opens her letter by talking about her friend’s experience, who visited her prenatal specialist for her first sonogram and was told that her son was 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. He’s perfect.”

And in her letter to her doctor, Courtney says, “I wish you would have been that doctor!”

The key message from Courtney’s letter that she wanted to deliver with all her heart is that, with Emmy, her life has only been better, despite the doctor’s words that “the quality of your life would be very low with a child with Down syndrome.”

This mom touchingly describes her maternity in these powerful lines: “Because, you see, Emersyn has not only added to our quality of life, she’s touched the hearts of thousands. She’s given us a purpose and a joy that is impossible to express. She’s given us bigger smiles, more laughter, and sweeter kisses than we’ve ever known. She’s opened our eyes to true beauty and pure love.”

Bonus: Here’s the full text of Courtney’s heartfelt letter to the doctor:

“Dear Doctor,

A friend recently told me of when her prenatal specialist would see her child during her sonograms, he would comment, “He’s 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. He’s perfect.”

Her story tore me apart. While I was so grateful for my friend’s 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 during the most difficult time in my life. I was terrified, anxious and in complete despair. I didn’t know the truth yet about my baby, and that’s what I desperately needed from you. But instead of support and encouragement, you suggested we terminate 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.

I’m not angry. I’m not bitter. I’m really just sad. I’m sad the tiny beating hearts you see every day don’t fill you with a perpetual awe. I’m sad the intricate details and the miracle of those sweet little fingers and toes, lungs and eyes and ears don’t always give you pause. I’m sad you were so very wrong to say a baby with Down syndrome would decrease our quality of life. And I’m heartbroken you might have said that to a mommy even today. But I’m mostly sad you’ll never have the privilege of knowing my daughter, Emersyn.

Because, you see, Emersyn has not only added to our quality of life, she’s touched the hearts of thousands. She’s given us a purpose and a joy that is impossible to express. She’s given us bigger smiles, more laughter and sweeter kisses than we’ve ever known. She’s opened our eyes to true beauty and pure love.

So my prayer is that no other mommy will have to go through what I did. My prayer is that you, too, will now see true beauty and pure love with every sonogram. And my prayer is when you see that next baby with Down syndrome lovingly tucked in her mother’s womb, you will look at that mommy and see me then tell her the truth: “Your child is absolutely perfect.”

What would you say to the doctor if you were in Courtney’s shoes? Which part of this mom’s letter touched you the most?