‘She’s Given Us a Purpose’: Mom Pens Open Letter to the Doctor Who Advised Her to Abort Her Down Syndrome Baby

A mother’s letter to the doctor who diagnosed her unborn daughter with Down syndrome has gone viral.

When the doctor delivered the diagnosis for Courtney Baker’s unborn daughter, Emersyn Faith, he advised her to have an abortion. But Baker refused.

According to Baker, the doctor continued to pressure her to terminate her pregnancy:

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.

Baker wrote that, contrary to what the doctor told them about the “low” quality of life her daughter would have, she has “added to our quality of life.”

“She’s given us a purpose and a joy that is impossible to express," Baker continued. "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.”

Baker added that she hopes her letter helps the doctor “see true beauty and pure love with every sonogram.”

“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 perfect,'" she wrote.

Baker told ABC News, "I knew how important it was going to be to write that letter before Emmy was even born."

"Every action from opening and closing the mailbox, to raising the red flag, was closure for me," Baker said. "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."

The Florida mom sent the letter with the help of her now 15-month-old daughter, whom she calls Emmy. She also shared its contents on Facebook, where it quickly gained attention.

"I hope he sees Emmy, I hope he sees my words on paper," Baker told ABC News. "Emmy is proof that children with special needs are worthy and can change the world. She's doing it right now."

In another open letter to a mother who just received a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis, Baker wrote “I can promise you that your child has a grand purpose.”

“My greatest hope is that you can know the truth and feel that love even now as you child grows within you. Your child’s life has already changed the world,” she wrote. “And it’s only just begun.”

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