Amend abortion law... being disabled doesn’t mean you can’t have a full life
I WORK as a full-time GP in a busy practice and part-time for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, caring for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
As a medical professional, I am involved in supporting individuals throughout their life’s journey, from birth to death. To be able to walk with people through their joy and pain, in triumphs and setbacks, is a privilege and an honour, one which I do not take lightly.
During the course of my working life, I have cared for children and adults with a variety of physical and learning disabilities. I know first-hand how they provide joy and happiness to everyone around them.
I have seen how many of them lead full, vibrant and fulfilling lives with numerous opportunities available to them, in spite of their medical, mental, or physical condition.
That is why I support the Severe Foetal Impairment Abortion Amendment Bill (News, February 16) in removing the regulation which allows for abortion up to term in cases of Severe Foetal Impairment (SFI).
As things stand, the law allows babies diagnosed with conditions such as cleft palate, club foot, or Down’s syndrome to be aborted. I strongly and passionately believe that we must remove this legislation.
The assumption that individuals with such conditions cannot go on to live a satisfying and happy life is at odds with everything I see in both my professional and personal life.
The fact that this Bill has already garnered cross-party and community support shows that there is a widely held belief that our current abortion law is not fit for purpose.
At its very essence, it is discriminatory and destructive.
It’s existence implies that those living with disabilities are in some way inferior and not entitled to the same chance in life as those of us who merely had the privilege of living with good health.
Being born with a disability does not make you any less likely to lead a fulfilling life than anyone else. To make this assumption is contrary to everything I stand for as a medical professional.