Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Heaton tweeted a response Tuesday to a CBS report claiming that Iceland was “on pace to virtually eliminate Down syndrome through abortion.” Heaton reminded CBS in a tweet that Iceland “isn't actually eliminating Down Syndrome. They're just killing everybody that has it.”
Iceland isn't actually eliminating Down Syndrome. They're just killing everybody that has it. Big difference. #Downsyndrome #abortion https://t.co/gAONIzqRXW
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 15, 2017
CBS’s characterization of targeted testing, diagnosis, and abortion of Down syndrome babies as “eliminating” the condition inspired backlash across social media but Heaton’s tweet also inspired a beautiful look into the lives of these children.
Many parents responded thanking Heaton and displaying adorable pictures of their family members with Down syndrome. Heaton highlighted and celebrated these children in tweets throughout the week.
What a puddin' pie!!!! https://t.co/4AYmttL8HS
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 17, 2017
@PatriciaHeaton My beautiful Alyssa who is blessed with Translocation DS. I wouldn't change her for the world! pic.twitter.com/C4uJZfbuYp
— Angela (@DeWispelaere) August 16, 2017
Three cheers for baby Marco!!!! https://t.co/DwkXhEXcHD
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 17, 2017
Relax Iceland!! It's just an extra chromosome!! @PatriciaHeaton Thank-You ?????????? from Baby Marco ?????????????? pic.twitter.com/sS15Z91FyQ
— LoLo (@LauraImperioli) August 16, 2017
Yes indeed!!! Go Sean!!! Inclusivity! https://t.co/yrxxKyVTlu
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 16, 2017
Thank you @PatriciaHeaton my son Star of BornThisWayA&E -suffer?-burden on society? No--Entrepreneur, keynote speaker-celebrity pic.twitter.com/0lw8Qd8haf
— Sean&Sandra McElwee (@purpose2inspire) August 16, 2017
A bacon man!!!!!! https://t.co/QyuPneakyd
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 16, 2017
@PatriciaHeaton Thanks for supporting the tribe of my beautiful son today! His life is so very worthy. ???? pic.twitter.com/N7wGAHdchE
— Cathleen Small (@CathleenSmall14) August 16, 2017
Fantastic!!! https://t.co/ZVwJbzh9Vy
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 16, 2017
@PatriciaHeaton 5 of r Miss22Quties have Down Syndrome, I'm grateful 4 each and every 1 of them! #OctoberNationalDownSyndromeAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/UspOUZwMX6
— Tammy Rose (@miss22quties) August 16, 2017
The joy!!!! https://t.co/l4fUZsbMPc
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 16, 2017
@CBSNews My beautiful granddaughter, Maria, is the sweetest! She brings so much joy to our family. Thanks, Patricia. pic.twitter.com/N3bkZEPCWh
— Lynda Miles (@AnteeL) August 16, 2017
Perfection! https://t.co/rWtkQnbnnU
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 15, 2017
My daughter/Snapchat queen. Iceland has gotten it wrong. Perfectly imperfect like the rest of us! pic.twitter.com/bWwxCryFyo
— ????StephanieB???? (@megansgot47) August 15, 2017
Gorgeous!!! https://t.co/oJI1RTIocH
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 15, 2017
@PatriciaHeaton thanks for speaking my up for me & others with #Downsyndrome #Ilovemylife pic.twitter.com/Mp8QlrSSoy
— Rachel M (@RachelsPinkHous) August 15, 2017
Oh my - absolutely glorious! https://t.co/4vdyUdz4hv
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 15, 2017
We can set a higher standard here. pic.twitter.com/eFpcWtcFxN
— Bryan (@AUtopiaPlanitia) August 15, 2017
Oh my - too cute for words! https://t.co/JkSzW8rkLv
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 15, 2017
The greatest gift I've ever been given. pic.twitter.com/ytRfj1CYq4
— Elisa Hudson (@shhimreading83) August 15, 2017
Thank you for sharing this. https://t.co/i1kW91jVfr
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 15, 2017
Joy is what our daughter brings to us daily. She works at sprouts and lives life just like you and me @PatriciaHeaton @CBSNews @Downsyndrome pic.twitter.com/FXQlHy7CPP
— Leslie Hammond (@lchammond22) August 15, 2017
My man Chuck!!! https://t.co/Ie0WsdwOfE
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) August 18, 2017
Thank you Patricia for giving a public voice to this! Here's our son Charlie: pic.twitter.com/JjuRilt5eH
— Pinnacle Productions (@PinnaclePro) August 18, 2017
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