When parents receive a diagnosis that their unborn child has Trisomy-18 they are often met with overwhelming pressure to abort.
Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 18, many are told that their child’s condition is “incompatible with life.” While all children with this condition face challenges, and many pass away, it is false to claim the condition is incompatible with life. These precious children are living longer than ever before.
Recently on Straight Talk on Life Issues, our weekly half-hour radio program and podcast, we had the privilege of interviewing Beverly Johnson as well as Brad and Jesi Smith. These parents and their children are living proof that Trisomy-18 is not a death sentence. Beverly’s daughter Verity defied the doctors’ expectations and is now eight years old and thriving. Brad and Jesi’s daughter Faith has Trisomy-18, and she is now sixteen years old!
As described by their parents, Verity and Faith have been tremendous blessings to those around them. Beverly told us, “It brings me to tears to even think about the work that God has done in me through my daughter. She has changed us so profoundly. She is one of my best teachers.”
Brad shared, “That doctor told us at the very beginning it would destroy our marriage, destroy our children, destroy our finances. He couldn’t have been more wrong.”
Children with Trisomy-18 can live good and impactful lives. In fact, Megan Hayes was celebrated in 2020 when she turned forty years old making her one of the oldest individuals with full trisomy-18. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum’s daughter Bella has become an icon in the pro-life movement and is seventeen! These individuals have impacted lives far beyond their friends and family, they have spread hope across the nation and inspired others facing difficult circumstances.
These personal stories are not just isolated anecdotes, but they represent a growing trend for children with Trisomy-18. Despite the condition’s challenges, studies now show that survival rates are improving. When medical professionals care for these children rather than abort them, great things can happen. For example, according to researchers at Stanford and the University of Arkansas, the number of newborns that survive more than doubles after heart surgery. Similarly, another study shows that when given neonatal intensive care, these babies see a significant increase in survivability. Despite the misleading claim that Trisomy-18 is incompatible with life, the five-year survival rate is 12.3%, surpassing previous rates.
The encouraging trend shows that Trisomy-18 should not be treated like a death sentence. Children facing adverse conditions deserve to be given the best medical care and attention available. Mothers and fathers that face this diagnosis are in a state of confusion, fear, and uncertainty. Rather than pressuring them into abortion, doctors should share accurate medical information. Parents deserve to know about children like Verity and Faith who defied the odds.
Even children whose lives are tragically short-lived have a tremendous impact on the world around them. Families and doctors can take solace in knowing that they did everything they could to fight for life, rather than take it.
While the lives of those with Trisomy-18 may look different than those of other children, that does not mean they are worth any less. Our rights as human beings do not scale up or down based on what medical challenges we may face. Regardless of our individual circumstances, we are all human. Each life is a gift. Intentionally killing an innocent child is not an act of compassion. Rather, it is compass-sionate to care for these children as best as we can.
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