Doctors told me to abort my disabled child but he became my unintended joy

At around seven months old, and after many positive doctors’ appointments, my Thomas suddenly passed away. I can attest firsthand that there is no greater sorrow than losing your child. But I would not trade the many moments of joy and peace for all of the suffering that came from Thomas’ diagnosis and passing.  Thomas inspired more people in his seven months than most do in their lifetimes.

Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the last presidential debate, many abortion advocates used Clinton’s comment as a justification for late-term abortion of children like my Thomas. But research shows women who carry to term a baby with a poor prenatal diagnosis, instead of choosing abortion, have a better psychological outcome.

Our son was a reminder to us and our community about the significance of this year’s March for Life theme, the “Power of One.” Thomas left an incredible impression, one that embodied the “importance of love, and the importance of tolerating imperfection in a society where imperfection has increasingly become intolerable…the importance of valuing all human life,” as my husband said at Thomas’s funeral.