• Join
  • DONATE
  • About MCFL
    • About MCFL
    • Our Board
    • Connect with MCFL
    • The Team
    • Our History
    • In The News
    • MEDIA & CONTACT US
  • GET INVOLVED
    • GET INVOLVED
    • CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL
    • Fundraise for Your Mass Walk for Life
    • Request a Speaker for Your Group
    • Your Local Chapter
  • EVENTS
    • EVENTS
    • March for Life 2021
  • Crisis Help
  • RESOURCES
    • RESOURCES
    • Current MA Abortion Laws
    • Beginning of Life, Healthcare, and End of Life Information
    • Educational Library
    • How to Lobby Effectively
    • Reversing the Abortion Pill
    • Video Resources
    • Youth and Student Resources

Pages tagged "Down syndrome"


Molders of Culture: Academy Awards Breakthroughs

Posted on In The News by C.J. Williams · February 18, 2020 9:16 AM · 1 reaction

 

by Sonja Morin, Communications Intern


 

The Oscars ceremony aired this past Sunday night, fittingly closing the film awards season. Movies are meant to reflect cultural values. What is supported in film is meant to be lauded in real life, be it qualities, beliefs, or ideals. Award shows amplify this by denoting particular movies of interest. We, the public audience, then draw our attention to them and what they represent. These award shows also tie in presenters, acts, and performances in between to give focus to certain themes. 

What kind of values did the Oscars represent in relation to the pro-life movement?

At first glance, there really was not much to take away from this year’s ceremonies in terms of a political message. There weren’t many political speeches during the Oscars, surprisingly enough. Those that did speak of any particular theme did so vaguely, referencing unity and the need for equality in our society. After a long week filled with division in our political system, in a way, it only makes sense that the Academy would have taken such a nonpartisan approach. However, it is clear that they made a life-affirming statement, and quite possibly without intending it. 

To present the Oscar for the category of Live-Action Short Film, actor Shia LaBeouf was accompanied by Zack Gottsagen. The latter is an up-coming actor who starred with LaBeouf in last year’s film The Peanut Butter Falcon. Last night gave Gottsagen an incredible opportunity, as he became the first person with Down syndrome to present an Oscar. With LaBeouf, Zack Gottsagen gave the award, and even delivered the famous line, “And the Oscar goes to…”. 

MARK RALSTON / AFP/Getty Images

It was a touching moment. In a culture riddled with stigma against those with Down syndrome, the Academy’s choice to represent the community through Gottsagen was an impressive one. 

One of the many themes the Oscars seems to represent is the idea that anyone, no matter their circumstances, can achieve greatness. People tend to devalue those with Down syndrome, either out of complete ignorance or patronization. The prevailing belief is that, due to some of the struggles that comes from the syndrome, that people who have it will never be able to succeed in most aspects of life. Gottsagen is living proof that this assumption is wrong. His life is worth living in itself, and he was able to make something beautiful out of it. 

What does that mean for us as pro-lifers? For one, it shows that the attitudes surrounding Down syndrome are certainly changing, and that parts of our culture are attempting to ensure that it happens. It also reminds us that we must lobby to ensure that babies diagnosed with Down syndrome in the womb are not aborted. In the United States, 67% of the pre-born diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted, simply as a result of the diagnosis. This terminal example of discrimination is something that we as a culture must defeat. 

There are immediate opportunities for us to help counter the destructive attitudes our culture still has regarding those with Down syndrome. Our state and nation face two bills that must be opposed at all costs: the ROE Act (S.1209/H. 3320) in Massachusetts and the federal bill H.J. Resolution 79, which would remove the deadline for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ROE Act and the ERA would not only ensure that aborting babies with Down syndrome remains legal, but possible at any point in pregnancy and funded by taxpayers. These laws would only serve to deepen the prejudices against those with Down syndrome, restricting their ability to rise and drive the course of their life like Zack Gottsagen has. 

This is where your action matters. Call your state and federal representatives and senators to oppose these dangerous bills. Your voice, counted with many others, are the small shifts that our culture needs to turn the tide. We can create a culture that is more accepting of life in all its circumstances by putting just a few minutes aside for this pertinent cause. While our actions may not be as widely televised as the Oscars, they are still just as important in creating a culture that is more accepting of all people in all stages of life. 

 



You can instantly contact the members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary by accessing this link and emailing and calling Chair Claire Cronin.

Look up your legislator here and request that they personally meet with Chair Claire Cronin asking her, and the committee, to oppose the "ROE" Act.

 




Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Posted on In The News by MA Citizens for Life · October 11, 2018 8:45 AM

Presidential Message on Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Issued on: October 1, 2018 and reprinted from WhiteHouse.gov

During Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Melania and I join in celebrating the lives of the more than 250,000 Americans with Down syndrome and those around the world with this condition.  Together, we recommit to deepening our understanding of Down syndrome and learning more about how we can ensure the beautiful people with Down syndrome are able to fully participate in society.  We will always support the dreams of those with Down syndrome, and respect and honor the sanctity of their lives, at every stage.

Today, as a result of advances in research and treatment, people with Trisomy 21, or “Down syndrome,” are leading healthier and longer lives.  Through innovative speech, occupational, and physical therapies, we are finding new ways to build upon the physical and intellectual abilities of children and babies with Down syndrome.  We are learning more about this condition and the increased need for widespread education and acceptance.  These efforts help to ensure many of our youngest citizens with this condition are able to live fulfilling, independent, and productive lives.

All people are endowed by their Creator with dignity and the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Despite some persistent myths and stigmas, even within the medical community, our Nation strongly embraces the undeniable truth that a Down syndrome diagnosis is an opportunity to embrace God’s gifts.  I stand for life – in all of its beautiful manifestations – and I, and my Administration, will continue to condemn the prejudice and discrimination that Americans with Down syndrome too often endure.

During this month, we vow to continue creating opportunities for and supporting the extraordinary men, women, and children with Down syndrome.  Every day, they inspire us to live with great love, joy, and appreciation for our world and those who make it a truly unique and special place to live.  Life is precious, and it is our moral duty to protect and defend it.


Inherent Worth

Posted on In The News by Domenico Bettinelli · March 22, 2018 10:00 AM

2013 Respect for Life Walk

March 21, 2018 was World Down Syndrome Day. To mark that event, we bring you this article from the May-June 2013 issue of MCFL News.

Katie Kiley, mother of 2013 Respect Life Walk Baby Julia, spoke to the 2013 MCFL Convention on the ways that the pro-life movement can support families with special needs children. Kiley started by reading a poem, “Welcome to Holland.”

“Having a special needs baby is like planning a fabulous trip to Italy. After great anticipation the plane lands, but the stewardess says, ‘Welcome to Holland.’ It’s not horrible, it’s just different. Everyone you know is talking about Italy. ‘Yes,’ you say, ‘that’s where I was supposed to go.’ The pain will never go away, because the loss of that dream was a very significant loss, but if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you will never appreciate the special wonderful things about Holland.”

Kiley did not expect to have a Down Syndrome child at age 30. “We didn’t know Julia had Down Syndrome until she was born. The attending physician said gently, ‘We’ve noticed some features consistent with Down Syndrome.’”

Read more

Catch His Excitement Every Time He Sees His Sister

Posted on In The News by Domenico Bettinelli · August 23, 2017 10:00 AM

evans-nb.jpg

Jessica Evans lives in Georgia with her family, including her 15-year-old brother David, who has Down syndrome. Jessica is a college student and likes to come home and surprise her brother, so she’s videoed many of his enthusiastic greetings and turned them into an adorable and heartwarming compilation. We should all aspire to experience such excitement every time we see a loved one!

Jessica posted her video on Twitter and create a viral sensation, including many others who posted videos of the special love they share with family members who have Down syndrome.

for anyone who is having a bad day: here is a video of my little brother's reaction every time i come home and surprise him😍😭 pic.twitter.com/6HDxLC3CpM

— jess (@thejessevans) August 15, 2017

We have such limited understandings of what “perfection” is and what it means to be a “burden.” While special needs children and adults indeed need special help with many parts of life—although who doesn’t really?—they also bring a capacity for love and joy as well that can’t be overlooked.


“What Kind of Society Do You Want to Live In?”

Posted on In The News by Domenico Bettinelli · August 22, 2017 10:00 AM

down-nb.jpg

By Nancy Valko

This month, CBS News aired a news story titled “Why Down Syndrome in Iceland Has Almost Disappeared” . Iceland encourages all expectant mothers to test their unborn babies for birth defects and, when a probable (85% accuracy, according to the show) Down Syndrome  diagnosis is made, almost all mothers have an abortion. This is the highest percentage of all countries. But Down Syndrome is not being “eradicated”. The children are.

Read more

  • Sign in with Email
  • Sign in with Facebook
  • Sign in with Twitter


Volunteer
MassachusettsCitizensforLife
Follow @MassProLife on Twitter

ACTION ALERT: LAWMAKERS WHO VOTED FOR ROE ACT -- CHECK THIS LIST AND CONTACT THEM NOW


Legislative Resources - Make Your Voice Heard 

2019-2020 PROPOSED LEGISLATION  |  FIND MY LEGISLATOR  |  IS MY LEGISLATOR PRO-LIFE?

SAY NO TO"ROE" - Radical Abortion  BILL IN MA(2020)  |  OPPOSE THE DOCTOR-PRESCRIBED SUICIDE BILL


Links to Follow Bills Pending in the Legislature

Joint Committee on Public Health | Joint Committee on The Judiciary | Joint Committee on Education

Upcoming Legislative Hearings

Sign in with Facebook, Twitter or email.
Created with NationBuilder