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'I'm Just Really Sad,' Mother Confronts Doc Who Advised Her to Abort Down Syndrome Baby

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A Florida woman wrote a heartfelt letter to the doctor who she says repeatedly advised her to abort her unborn child.

Courtney Baker is a Sanford, Florida, mother who, despite her doctor's recommendation to end her pregnancy, went through with it, and is so very glad she did.  That was over a year ago.

Baker says when her doctor detected on an ultrasound that the baby she was carrying had Down Syndrome, he suggested she end the pregnancy.  

An estimated 80 percent of women who are told they are carrying a Down's Syndrome baby choose to abort it.

Baker was different. She chose to keep her baby. However, she told ABC News that decision didn't sit very well with her doctor.  

Now, a full 15-months after the birth of her little girl named Emersyn Faith, nicknamed "Emmy," she finally was able to put into words how her doctor's actions and attitude affected her.

Mailing that letter was a pretty big deal. Emmy actually helped mail it. A picture marking that momentous event is posted on the Parker Myles Facebook page and has been viewed by thousands.

"Every action, from opening and closing the mailbox to raising the red flag, was closure for me," Baker told ABC. "I have no idea how the doctor might have reacted to my letter, but I do have faith that God can work any miracle and he can change any heart." 

She went on to say she hopes the doctor "sees Emmy" in her letter. "Emmy is proof that children with special needs are worthy and can change the world. She's doing it right now."

The letter read:

Dear Doctor, 

A friend recently told me of when her prenatal specialist would see her child during her sonograms, he would comment, "He's perfect." Once her son was born with Down syndrome, she visited that same doctor. He looked at her little boy and said, "I told you. He's perfect." 

Her story tore me apart. While I was so grateful for my friend's experience, it filled me with such sorrow because of what I should have had. I wish you would have been that doctor. 

I came to you during the most difficult time in my life. I was terrified, anxious and in complete despair. I didn't know the truth yet about my baby, and that's what I desperately needed from you. But instead of support and encouragement, you suggested we terminate our child. I told you her name, and you asked us again if we understood how low our quality of life would be with a child with Down syndrome. You suggested we reconsider our decision to continue the pregnancy. 

From that first visit, we dreaded our appointments. The most difficult time in my life was made nearly unbearable because you never told me the truth. My child was perfect. 

I'm not angry. I'm not bitter. I'm really just sad. I'm sad the tiny beating hearts you see every day don't fill you with a perpetual awe. I'm sad the intricate details and the miracle of those sweet little fingers and toes, lungs and eyes and ears don't always give you pause. I'm sad you were so very wrong to say a baby with Down syndrome would decrease our quality of life. And I'm heartbroken you might have said that to a mommy even today. But I'm mostly sad you'll never have the privilege of knowing my daughter, Emersyn. 

Because, you see, Emersyn has not only added to our quality of life, she's touched the hearts of thousands. She's given us a purpose and a joy that is impossible to express. She's given us bigger smiles, more laughter and sweeter kisses than we've ever known. She's opened our eyes to true beauty and pure love. 

So my prayer is that no other mommy will have to go through what I did. My prayer is that you, too, will now see true beauty and pure love with every sonogram. And my prayer is when you see that next baby with Down syndrome lovingly tucked in her mother's womb, you will look at that mommy and see me then tell her the truth: "Your child is perfect."

CBN News broadcast the poignant story of another woman who was pregnant with a Down Syndrome child. Watch how she decided to keep her baby after her chance encounter with a mother with a Down Syndrome child of her own.

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