Sydney, Australia, Feb 19, 2020 / 16:58 pm
Parents of persons with Down syndrome are pressed to procure abortion, and their healthcare is negatively affected throughout their life, Australia's disability royal commission has heard.
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability began a hearing in Sydney Feb. 18. The two week hearing will listen to persons with cognitive disability and their loved ones, medical professionals, and advocacy groups about their experience with the health system in Australia.
Toni Mitchell told the commission Feb. 19 that when an ultrasound showed that her son, Joshua, would likely have Down syndrome and had a heart condition and was likely to miscarry, a doctor told her, "here's your appointment for a termination", handing her a piece of paper.
"In that moment they completely disallowed his life. They said he wasn't worth living," she reflected.