According to the U.K.’s Daily Mail, two days ago, the British television pundit and advice columnist Virginia Ironside was invited on BBC’s Sunday Morning Live along with Reverend Joanna Jepson. During the discussion, Ironside said “If a baby’s going to be born severely disabled or totally unwanted, surely an abortion is the act of a loving mother”.  Reverend Jepson, who was born with a birth defect, was visibly shocked by the comments.  This misguided and saddening statement has lead to widespread outrage. 

I have worked with disabled adults in the past and they are generally the happiest people on this planet.  To suggest they would be better off had they not been born is unfortunate.  I have personally become a better person because of my work with disabled individuals.  They have taught me patience; more importantly how to laugh, how to have a positive outlook on life. 

These comments are upsetting and frankly it’s clear the public response has been resoundingly opposed to this woman’s view.