Kate Cox sued Texas for permission to abort her baby, who had Trisomy 18. Cox\u2019s doctor told \u00a0her that her baby was \u201cincompatible with life.\u201d When Cox asked how long her daughter could survive in the \u201cbest case scenario,\u201d the doctor said a week at most<\/a>. Cox lost her case but traveled to another state to abort her daughter, presumably through a D&E dismemberment abortion<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cox\u2019s doctor gave her false information, whether due to medical ignorance or willful deceit. There\u2019s no cure for Trisomy 18, but these children can live into their teen years and beyond.<\/p>\n Numerous media outlets<\/a> gave the statistic that only 5-10%<\/a> of children with Trisomy 18 reach their first birthday. What they didn\u2019t <\/em>say was the reason \u2013 most hospitals won\u2019t treat these children. Given proper care and needed surgery, 90% of these babies survive<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bridgit Nora<\/a>, from the Trisonomy 18 Foundation<\/p><\/div>\n John Hart Mack<\/a>, from the Trisonomy 18 Foundation<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lauren\u2019s daughter Nora, who had Trisomy 18, lived to be fifteen and a half. Lauren says:<\/p>\n Nora was exceptionally sweet and happy, and loved people, snuggling, holding hands, playing in water, school (especially her one-to-one aide, Ms. O, who was with her from kindergarten . . . and was like another mother to her) and she was a favorite with staff and students alike.<\/p>\n She especially loved music, and silliness made her squeal with laughter, especially if my mother-in-law or children would dance around and sing . . . She liked to give hugs and kisses . . .<\/p>\n Nora was comfortable, content, and loved.<\/p>\n She describes Nora as \u201ccute as a button, with wild curly hair and the longest eyelashes imaginable, framing deep, wise brown eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n Some children with Trisomy 18 must be tube fed, but Nora could eat by mouth and, according to Lauren, \u201cloved food.\u201d <\/strong>On Thanksgiving, Lauren said, Nora got to be \u201cthe center of attention\u201d and \u201ccouldn’t get enough of all the different things to taste.\u201d<\/p>\n People with disabilities have inherent worth and value by virtue of their humanity, and who they are, not by how they affect the lives of nondisabled people. Nevertheless, Lauren says that having Nora in their lives changed her entire family for the better:<\/p>\n We all are more patient,\u00a0less judgmental, and accepting of others due to having her, and know the value of interdependence rather than fierce independence. We are comfortable asking for help and offering help in ways I don’t think we’d be if she hadn’t\u00a0come into our lives.<\/p>\n Lauren says:<\/p>\n We didn’t know how to care for a medically fragile, differently-abled child, but we didn’t really know how to care for our first healthy child either!<\/p>\n In many ways, Nora was our easiest. She never had friend drama, jealousy, or anger. She never felt let down or left out. She was just happy to soak in whatever was happening around her and be a part of things.<\/p>\n Lauren wants people to know, \u201cAll people have inherent value. Their quality of life isn’t measured by what they can or can’t do.\u201d<\/p>\n Beverly Jacobson wrote an article for Newsweek<\/em><\/a> about her daughter, Verity, who is about seven.<\/p>\n According to Jacobson, Verity is \u201cliving an amazing life with Trisomy 18,\u201d and her other children \u201cadore their little sister.\u201d<\/p>\n Jacobson argues that Verity has the same value as any other child. She says:<\/p>\n I don’t know how long Verity will live. But I do know she is not in pain. She is not suffering. She is a joyful and happy child. She is not a “drain” on our family. She is our most precious blessing! . . . I thank God for her.<\/p>\n Verity inspired Jacobson to set up Verity\u2019s Village<\/a>, an organization that helps families with children with Trisomy 18.<\/p>\n Faith Smith<\/a> has Trisomy 18. In honor of her twelfth birthday, her parents sent a postcard to all the doctors they\u2019ve seen \u2013 both the ones who treated Faith and those who refused.<\/p>\n The postcard said:<\/p>\n Faith is loud, happy, sweet, and well-loved. She gives the tightest hugs, best kisses, and has the craziest dance moves of us all. She loves swimming, horseback riding, balloons, and playing the piano. Faith\u2019s quality of life is the envy of all that know her.<\/p>\n Faith\u2019s sister Grace wrote:<\/p>\n As much time as Faith has spent in a hospital, she\u2019s spent much more than that traveling, laughing, and loving her life\u2026 She loves walking around museums and going on Starbucks runs. Her life is full of fun.<\/p>\n Doctors told Faith\u2019s mother that her other children would be harmed unless she aborted Faith. But Grace says, \u201cIt is my complete honor and joy to spend every day caring and spending time with her. It\u2019s the best job I\u2019ve ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tabitha Ensmnger, from KTBV Facebook page<\/p><\/div>\n KTBV News<\/a> featured the Ensminger family and four-year-old Tabitha, who has Trisomy 18.<\/p>\n Tabitha\u2019s older sister, Esther, mentioned Tabitha in her graduation speech, saying, \u201cMy baby sister Tabitha has a superpower. She has Trisomy 18, which means she is the happiest and the most lovable baby ever.\u201d Esther told KTBV News, \u201c[J]ust to see her smile every day, seeing her face \u2013 it’s just been awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n Tabitha\u2019s mother Sandy said, \u201cTabitha is just a ray of sunshine all the time. She’s just so precious and, like, her smile is contagious. As soon as she starts smiling, watch out, everybody’s got a smile.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ensmingers regularly give support to other families beginning their Trisomy 18 journey. In response to the family\u2019s activism, Governor Brad Little declared March Trisomy 18 Awareness Month.<\/p>\n The Ensminger\u2019s goal is to educate people, including medical professionals, about the value of children with Trisomy 18 and the fact that they can survive with proper care. Together, Tabitha and her family are giving hope to others and fighting against the misconceptions about Trisomy 18.<\/p>\n The family is involved in promoting Simon\u2019s Law<\/a>. Simon\u2019s Law is named after a Kansas child with Trisomy 18 who died after being refused medical care. Simon’s Law, which has been passed in several states, forbids doctors from refusing medical care to children with disabilities.<\/p>\n Sandy says, \u201cI want people to know that there’s hope and [Trisomy 18 is] not something fatal\u2026 Hopelessness is fatal.\u201d<\/p>\n ===================================<\/p>\n For more of our coverage on the Kate Cox case specifically, see:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The Kate Cox Case in Texas<\/a><\/p>\n For more more our coverage on children with disabilities, see:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Bigotry against Babies with Down Syndrome<\/a> (United States)<\/p>\n Bigotry against Babies with Down Syndrome: International Experiences<\/a><\/p>\n A Lawyer\u2019s Turnaround on Baby Doe with Her Own Down Syndrome Baby<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Trisonomy](\"http:\/\/consistent-life.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-blog-Bridget-Nora-250x300.jpg\")
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<\/a>Nora<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Verity<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Faith<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Tabitha<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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