Down syndrome man`s stirring testimony against abortion

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 1, 2017 ( LifeSiteNews ) — In a riveting and eloquent speech on Capitol Hill, a man with Down syndrome defended his existence.

Frank Stephens, Quincy Jones Advocate at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, opened a session of the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Education Committee on Appropriations.

“No one knows more about life with Down syndrome than I do,” Stephens began the hearing on National Institutes of Health funding. “Whatever you learn today, remember this: I am a man with Down syndrome, and my life is worth living!” he exclaimed.

With that declaration, attendees -- many of whom have Downs themselves -- erupted in applause.

Stephens then addressed the growing practice of fighting disease by killing patients. “Some people say prenatal screens will identify Down syndrome in the womb and those pregnancies will just be terminated,” he said. “It’s hard for me to sit here and say those words,” he said with emotion.

The actor and Down spokesman associated the common practice of killing preborns who are diagnosed as possibly having Down with Nazi genocide. “People pushing that particular ‘Final Solution’ are saying that people like me should not exist,” Stephens continued. “That view is deeply prejudiced by an outdated idea of life with Down syndrome.”

He went on to explain that most folks with Down syndrome, like himself, lead happy and fulfilled lives. “I have a great life. I have lectured at universities, acted in award-winning film and Emmy-winning TV shows, and spoken to thousands of young people about the value of inclusion in making America great,” he shared.

“I have been to the White House twice, and I didn’t have to jump the fence either time,” he joked.

“Seriously, I don’t feel I should have to justify my existence,” he poignantly concluded.

Stephens referred to Iceland and other countries where health officials brag about eliminating Down, but only by promoting abortion for Down-diagnosed preborns. In the United States, the March of Dimes funded and set up early amniocentesis testing centers and promoted early testing. The vast majority of babies who might have a handicap get aborted.

Stephens considers automatic abortion for a Downs diagnosis as evil as the Third Reich. “I don’t feel I should have to justify my existence, but to those who question the value of people with Down syndrome, I would make three points,” he said.

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