Wednesday, July 18, 2007

News: Senators Kennedy and Brownback reintroduce prolife bill to Senate

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) today reintroduced the Pre-natally and Post-natally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act, legislation which would require that families who receive a diagnosis of Down syndrome or any other condition, pre-natally or up until a year after birth, will be given up-to-date information about the nature of the condition and connection with support services and networks that could offer assistance.
Those of us who advocate for the rights of the unborn, as well as for the rights of people with Down syndrome have been preparing for this. I see us organizing a welcome kit to parents expecting a child with Down syndrome, containing the book Gifts, the DVD Mr Blue Sky, my upcoming book, and lists of national and local Down syndrome advocacy groups, as well as pre-natal support groups like Be Not Afraid.net and Pre-natal Partners for Life. This support will also include contact information of parents like me, who can honestly tell what raising a child with Down Syndrome is like, for example read my piece, "A Special Mother is Born" published in May/June Faith and Family magazine on the birth of my daughter Christina.

5 comments:

Lynne said...

I hate to be cynical but if Kennedy's involved, there's something wrong with this bill. He is NOT a pro-life senator.

Elena LaVictoire said...

Wow, Teddy Kennedy?!! Maybe some of that Catholic education did sink in!

Thanks for the heads up!

Leticia said...

The Kennedy family had a sister, Rose who was retarded, so they have been involved in helping the retarded. Best Buddies, a mentoring organization for mentally disabled kids, was founded by Maria Shriver.

I was just on the phone with Ameican Life League, and they informed me that Teddy was on the right side of the Terry Schiavo debate as well. There's hope for him yet. Maybe his sister Rose is praying for his soul!

Anonymous said...

Great news!! Will you be watching this bill as it makes its way through Congress so we will be able to contact our Senators and Representatives and ask them to vote for it?
The Kennedy family has been very supportive of those with disabilities i.e. Special Olympics and Best Buddies, as you mentioned. Yet their pro-abortion stance is concerning. I did not know about Teddy's positon on the Terry Schiavo case. That, as well as his name on this bill is very encouraging.

Judy M.

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur said...

This sounds wonderful! Being from MA - I'm proud that Ted Kennedy is on the right side on this one!

Thank you for visiting my blog, and yes, I did visit St. Ann's Shrine. It was lovely.

Best wishes,
Patrice