06/06/2026
A diagnosis does not determine a person's potential or worth. It does not define the love they will give, the relationships they will build, or the impact they will have on the world.
Today, we stand with every person with Down syndrome and every family whose life has been enriched by someone with an extra chromosome. Your lives matter. Your contributions matter. And your stories deserve to be heard. And we will never stop fighting for you. 💙
Recently, a public figure shared that they chose to terminate a pregnancy after receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis. It is frustrating for us that it takes a YouTuber making this decision, for this topic to be a public conversation, because the truth is, about 60% to 90% of Down syndrome diagnoses end in abortion.
It's moments like this that remind us why our work matters. Because people matter.
A prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome can be overwhelming, especially when families are presented with fear, outdated information, or assumptions about what life will look like. Too often, the voices of individuals with Down syndrome and the families who love them are missing from the conversation.
To the parents who may have recently received a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis: We know you may be feeling uncertain, scared, or overwhelmed right now. Those feelings are normal. But we also want you to know that a Down syndrome diagnosis is not the end of your dreams for your child—it is the beginning of a journey that will include joy, growth, challenges, milestones, and more love than you can imagine. You do not have to walk this path alone. There is a community of families, self-advocates, and supporters ready to welcome you, answer your questions, and show you what is possible.
At the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo, we have the privilege of knowing hundreds of individuals with Down syndrome who are students, athletes, employees, artists, siblings, friends, advocates, and valued members of their communities. Their lives are meaningful, joyful, and worthy.
A diagnosis does not determine a person's potential or worth. It does not define the love they will give, the relationships they will build, or the impact they will have on the world.
Today, we stand with every person with Down syndrome and every family whose life has been enriched by someone with an extra chromosome. Your lives matter. Your contributions matter. And your stories deserve to be heard. And we will never stop fighting for you.
