'A Chance to Live': How Two Families Faced a Catastrophic Birth Defect
Ashlee Wiseman, a waitress at a Sizzler restaurant in Idaho Falls, Idaho, was 10 weeks pregnant when a nurse called with devastating news: a fetal DNA test in her blood had revealed that her baby The young girl suffered from Down syndrome, a catastrophic genetic anomaly, and had little chance of surviving.
Devastated, she called her partner, Clint Risenmay, who was at work. He burst into tears.
Ashlee's response was different.
"A small, still voice took over me,” she said. “I’m like, ‘I’m not going to listen to them. There must be something that can help him. And there must be someone who can help.'”
A search on social media led her to Dr. John Carey, professor emeritus of pediatrics at the University of Utah, who has dedicated his life to helping families struggling with Down syndrome. He supports pregnant women who have chosen abortion, but he also helps couples who want to have babies with Down syndrome. this rare disease, although most of them will be stillborn or die within a year.
Ashlee and Clint were not discouraged. They could do it, they assured Dr. Carey. They would lovingly care for a baby with complex medical needs.
The consequences of Down syndrome are dire. Babies have three copies of chromosome 18 instead of two and therefore have serious medical and developmental problems. Almost all are unable to eat, walk or speak, and all suffer from severe cognitive impairment. They often need open heart surgery and feeding and breathing tubes. Many women, after hearing what awaits them, choose abortion.
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Ashlee Wiseman, a waitress at a Sizzler restaurant in Idaho Falls, Idaho, was 10 weeks pregnant when a nurse called with devastating news: a fetal DNA test in her blood had revealed that her baby The young girl suffered from Down syndrome, a catastrophic genetic anomaly, and had little chance of surviving.
Devastated, she called her partner, Clint Risenmay, who was at work. He burst into tears.
Ashlee's response was different.
"A small, still voice took over me,” she said. “I’m like, ‘I’m not going to listen to them. There must be something that can help him. And there must be someone who can help.'”
A search on social media led her to Dr. John Carey, professor emeritus of pediatrics at the University of Utah, who has dedicated his life to helping families struggling with Down syndrome. He supports pregnant women who have chosen abortion, but he also helps couples who want to have babies with Down syndrome. this rare disease, although most of them will be stillborn or die within a year.
Ashlee and Clint were not discouraged. They could do it, they assured Dr. Carey. They would lovingly care for a baby with complex medical needs.
The consequences of Down syndrome are dire. Babies have three copies of chromosome 18 instead of two and therefore have serious medical and developmental problems. Almost all are unable to eat, walk or speak, and all suffer from severe cognitive impairment. They often need open heart surgery and feeding and breathing tubes. Many women, after hearing what awaits them, choose abortion.
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