My name is Renatta, I’m 45 years old, and I have a genetic condition.
Yes, I have some struggles, but I still live a full, productive, and joyful life.
Parents, if your unborn child is diagnosed with a genetic disorder, it isn’t a curse. Please give your child a chance at life. Their life won’t be perfect, but no one’s is. Let your child be a blessing to you and to others. Don’t throw away what God has given you.
This week, my wife and I made the very difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy due to Trisomy 21.
The choice was not made lightly. We really appreciate all of the personal stories that you guys shared with us, especially the unconditional support we received from fans with no matter what we decided.
I know some of you may be very disappointed to hear this news. We are devastated. This has been extremely traumatic for both of us, especially Ashley.
She underwent the procedure earlier this week and is on the mend. Thankfully, everything went smoothly, but emotionally we are drained.
Trisomy 21, also known as Down Syndrome, is caused by an extra chromosome. It is caused by an error in cell division, like a glitch. The odds of a baby having it is 1 in 1000.
When I first confronted this news, I was shocked but optimistic. 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.
Once we made it public, it became clear that MOST people don’t know what Down Syndrome entails (and no, it’s not the same as Autism):
50% of babies with DS have heart defects. 75% will have hearing challenges. Over 50% will have vision problems. Impaired immune function, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, delayed physical development, poor muscle tone, structural issues with face, decreased lifespan, etc…Sadly, the list is long, feel free to look it up…Down Syndome isn’t a “blessing”, it is objectively shitty from a health perspective.
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.
The miscarriage risk is also close to 50%, which made matters worse…they may never see the light of day and it puts Ashley further at risk.
We spoke with doctors, friends, family and genetic counselors and learned that up to 90% of women terminate their pregnancy after learning the baby has Trisomy 21.
This was WAY higher than I expected, I thought it would be lower given that I hear so many say they kept or would keep the baby. I believe that’s because most terminations happen privately, it feels shameful. A lot of judgment being cast.
You never think you’d be in this type of situation until it happens to you and then things change.
To all of my fans who have weighed in on this topic who have Autism, Down Syndrome or any other conditions…we appreciate you. 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.
As for us, we made a difficult decision that we believe in the long-run will be beneficial for our family. Thankfully, we had a choice.
It will take a little time to move on, but we are excited to try again in the future and hopefully have a better outcome.
Love you guys & thank you for understanding. ❤️
Disfruté del exitoso viaje apostólico del papa León XIV a África; volvió a Roma como «León triunfante».
Sin embargo, ya estoy hastiado del viaje a España, sin que todavía el Papa haya pisado nuestro suelo. La «contaminación acústica» generada por rivalidades políticas, lingüísticas e ideológicas lo está embarrando todo.
Sin perder el «espíritu crítico», que yo siempre defiendo, creo que los españoles podríamos ser un poco más educados, corteses y hospitalarios, y menos repelentes ante la visita del Romano Pontífice, que viene a bendecirnos, no a maldecirnos.
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Imagen: «León XIV», óleo sobre lienzo de @Raul_Berzosa
@jacknassar33 Vatican diplomacy has always been very cautious. Admittedly sometimes too much, but also they do a lot behind the scenes. Many times you found out a peace deal, a hostage exchange or whatever was heavily influenced by the Vatican after the fact.
@JacobusRufus@EsquireCatholic It’s not the best term to use (it’s mostly used by its detractors) but yes. The Catholic Church is the fulfillment, perfection and completion of the Old Testament. It’s the Catholic position, received from the Apostles and the Church Fathers.
Respectfully, @SimoneRizkallah, you need to be honest about the scandalous and heretical nature of what @MontseEWTN said during your podcast in 2022.
Her exact words were: “there’s this idea that all Jews should become Christians, which obviously is wrong.” https://t.co/40i5ThiyfF
This is directly contrary to the teaching of Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the Magisterium — including Vatican II.
At this point, you and Maria have two options: (1) recant your heretical position or (2) show yourselves to be obstinate (can. 751, CIC 1983) in the face of fraternal correction.
DOES POPE LEO KNOW HE’S APPOINTED A ZIONIST?
As was announced yesterday, @Pontifex “has appointed @MontseEWTN, President and Chief Operating Officer of EWTN News, as Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication.” https://t.co/YxWb1nSNVu
In August of 2022, @Mmontsealvarado appeared on a podcast with @SimoneRizkallah (current director of @philoscatholic) to discuss Nostra Aetate (NA): https://t.co/UZwwt4EbBy
Alvarado called NA “a beautiful document,” one she was introduced to by a Jewish friend while traveling in the Holy Land “in partnership with the Philos Project,” a Zionist non-profit financed by Jewish billionaire Paul Singer and which specifically targets Catholics: https://t.co/lAxDhmvWHj
During the podcast with Rizkallah, Alvarado opposed “supercessionism,” characterizing it as “this idea that all Jews should become Christians, which obviously is wrong.”
Alvarado might be surprised to learn that NA says “the Church is the new people of God” (n. 4), and further, that Vatican II refers to the Church as “the new Israel” in two different documents (Lumen Gentium, art. 9; Ad Gentes, n. 5).
She might also be surprised to learn that Vatican II reaffirmed that “the Church … is necessary for salvation. … Whosoever, therefore, knowing that the Catholic Church was made necessary by Christ, would refuse to enter or to remain in it, could not be saved” (LG, 14).
This obviously includes Jews, as the Council of Florence made explicit (Bull Cantate Domino, 1442; D.H. 1351).
As for “supercessionism,” the New and Eternal Covenant in Our Lord’s Precious Blood did indeed supersede the Old Covenant: “In speaking of a new covenant He [God] treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Heb. 8:13)
Here’s my question for Pope Leo: Do you know that you’ve appointed a Zionist to be your spokeswoman?
Video source: https://t.co/2wdDtwLt1Z
Three questions for @Mmontsealvarado:
1. Do you oppose the genocide in Gaza?
2. Do you support the IHRA definition of antisemitism?
3. Do you condemn the unjust removal of @CarriePrejean1 from the Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission?
@CathoBroski@namae282@VadeadIesum It’s not something the diocesan bishop has something to do with.
The Ecclesia Dei commission (their decrees still valid) already answered that question in the affirmative.
"If we ask why, why should the Holy Trinity have crowned Our Lady? Because she was the Daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son and as the Church has been saying since the Annunciation: the Spouse of the Holy Spirit." (Fr. John Hardon SJ)