Andrea Bocelli praises mother’s choice not to abort him

Rome, Italy, Jun 6, 2010 / 05:35 pm MT (CNA).- Italian singer Andrea Bocelli has told the story of his mother’s pregnancy, during which doctors suggested that she abort him because he would be born with a disability. In a new video he praises his mother for making “the right choice,” saying other mothers should take encouragement from the story.

In a YouTube video titled “Andrea Bocelli tells a ‘little story’ about abortion,” the singer sits at a piano and tells his audience a story about a young pregnant wife hospitalized for “a simple attack of appendicitis.”

“The doctors had to apply some ice on her stomach and when the treatments ended the doctors suggested that she abort the child. They told her it was the best solution because the baby would be born with some disability.

“But the young brave wife decided not to abort, and the child was born,” he continued.

“That woman was my mother, and I was the child. Maybe I'm partisan, but I can say that it was the right choice.”

He said he hoped the story could encourage many mothers in “difficult situations” but who want to save the life of their baby.

Bocelli has congenital glaucoma and lost his vision completely at age 12 after getting hit in the head during a soccer game.

The video itself is produced by www.IamWholeLife.com, an initiative of the Human Rights, Education and Relief Organization (HERO). HERO is a partner of the pro-life movie star Eduardo Verastegui.