Patricia Heaton's Defense of Unborn Down Syndrome Babies in Iceland Inspires Sweet Response

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