Jesse Ridgway, a famous YouTuber, and his wife, Ashley, were expecting a baby. Now, they have announced they have terminated their pregnancy as the baby had a big chance of having Down syndrome.
The couple announced the news on Instagram on Wednesday, Page Six reported.
“This week, my wife and I made the very difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy due to Trisomy 21,” Jesse Ridgway wrote.
Per the CDC, Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, is a “genetic condition where a person is born with an extra chromosome.”
“When babies are growing, the extra chromosome changes how their bodies and brains develop. This can cause both physical and mental challenges,” it read. “People with Down syndrome often have developmental challenges, such as being slower to learn to speak than other children.”
In March, the couple announced they were expecting a child. In April, they shared the news that their baby had a 95% change of being born with Down syndrome. Ridgway continued, writing that they didn’t make the choice “lightly.”
YouTuber Jesse Ridgway and wife terminate pregnancy after Down syndrome diagnosis
“We are devastated. This has been extremely traumatic for both of us, especially Ashley,” he wrote, saying that Ashley underwent the “procedure earlier this week” and “everything went smoothly.”
He explained that they are emotionally “drained,” explaining that the odds of a baby being born with Trisomy 21 are “1 in 1000.”
“When I first confronted this news, I was shocked but optimistic,” he added. “If they’re a little slow intellectually, then we’ll make it work. I signed on to be a parent, come what may. But I just didn’t fully understand what Down Syndrome entailed.”
Jesse Ridgway also shared details of the health risks associated with Down syndrome, including decreased lifespan, poor muscle tone, and impaired immune function.
“Down Syndrome isn’t a ‘blessing,’ it is objectively s–tty from a health perspective,” he continued. “I didn’t realize just how rough it is for the child, let alone the family … more often than not, they would be fully dependent on others for the rest of their life.”
Shares message to those with Down syndrome
While Ridgway claimed that “up to 90% of women terminate their pregnancy after learning that their baby has Trisomy 21,” Healthline states that the number is 67 percent in the U.S, 98 percent in Denmark, and 77 percent in France.
“I believe that’s because most terminations happen privately [and] it feels shameful. A lot of judgement being cast,” the YouTuber wrote. “You never think you’d be in this type of situation until it happens to you, and then things change.”
Jesse Ridgway concluded by addressing those who have Down syndrome or autism, saying, “You matter a lot and we’re glad you’re here. I commend you and your families for having the strength and courage to push forward.”
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