In the UK, abortions are legal in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, if the woman's life is in danger; there's a severe fetal abnormality; or the woman is at risk of grave physical and mental injury.
That limit doesn't apply to babies with Down's syndrome however, as 24-year-old activist Heidi Crowter explains.
HEIDI CROWTER
“So at the moment, the law states that a baby without Down's syndrome, like my father-in-law, can be aborted up to 24 weeks, but a baby like my husband can be aborted till birth, and I will not tolerate people hurting my husband.”
Despite restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic, Heidi has continued her fight to change what she calls a discriminatory law, so that the 24-week limit will be applied to babies with Down's syndrome. Her message to families considering abortion because of Down's syndrome is simple.
HEIDI CROWTER
“I would say my main point is a song by Bruno Mars, which is 'we're all amazing, just the way we are.'”
Thanks to the combined efforts of Heidi's and other campaigns, the High Court has agreed to hear the landmark case against the UK government. The trial is expected to take place in February of 2021.
CT
