Mum of boy with Down's Syndrome hopes High Court case will "end backwards perceptions"
The law currently allows termination of pregnancies with the condition up until full term
Last updated 23rd Sep 2021
A Harrogate mum whose son has Down's Syndrome has said she's lucky to have found out he had the condition after he was born.
If Wendy Puckrin had been told that her 7-year-old son Elijah had the condition while she was pregnant she would've been offered a termination up until the day he was born.
She admits she was ill-informed about Down's Syndrome and said she could've been swayed to have a termination without the right information which "breaks her".
"I was one of these people who had negatives misconceptions about people with Down's Syndrome and I couldn't have been more wrong now that Elijah is in my life.
"I could've been swayed to make a decision that I regretted and knowing that it really breaks me because I couldn't imagine my life without that little boy in it. He's the reason I smile every day."
It comes as a woman with Down's Syndrome is challenging abortion law's stance on babies with the condition.
Heidi Crowter, 26, from Coventry, is one of the three claimants who brought legal action against the Department of Health and Social Care in the hope of removing a section of the Abortion Act they believe to be an "instance of inequality".
As law stands, foetuses with Down's Syndrome may be terminated up to birth, but the High Court will decide today (Thursday 23 September) whether to scrap the law and bring the timeframe down to 24 weeks.
In England, Scotland and Wales, there is a general 24-week time limit to have an abortion.
But law states terminations can be performed after that date if there is "a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped", which includes Down's syndrome.
Wendy said this law "adds to the stigma" and "outdated perceptions".
She said: "I worry that people are given all the negatives about Down's Syndrome before hearing any positives. If you're told about all the difficulties you might have, it's going to sway your decision.
"I know women who have had the diagnosis in their pregnancy and have been booked in for terminations without being asked and women who've been told they have time to 'decide what they want to do' as if it's the only decision."
Wendy added: "Elijah has so many friends and just watching him is so heart warming. As a mother you worry about whether he's going to have friends or get bullied but he doesn't.
"He lives every day like any other seven year old. They have certain challenges and can be delayed but he has swimming lessons, he plays football and he's living a full and happy life.
"I have got the best teacher. He teaches me more than I can ever hope to teach him. He makes me proud every day.
"I get moments where I just can't stop watching him because he's just so beautiful. His eyes, his smile, his nose and his funny little ears. He's just perfect."
Both Wendy and Elijah appeared in a music video from the charity Wouldn't Change A Thing to spread positivity about Down's Syndrome.