Thomas Berman

views are my own, I have ASD #DLM

Bury fan, co-founder/goalkeeper plus medical staff @AngelsUnitedFC #41

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@Rachelchan222 Would you say the same if they did it due to the fetus ethnicity or any other protected characteristics. Its a hate crime

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

Imagine if someone got rid of a fetus for race, religious or any other protected characteristics they wouldn't be allowed to so why can you for disability reasons. Its discrimination and should be treated as a hate crime

[Jesse Ridgway @McJuggerNuggets]

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. ❤️

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@JustRed_69 GMP love to give warning letters and that's if they can be bothered to deal with it

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@SaferRoadsYorks Unfortunately I had a cyclist from WY while riding a horse in traffic so stopped due cars approaching so waited but the cyclist decided to undertake and punch the horse because we were in the way, I was recording and reported but nothing happened.
Respect goes both ways.

[Chris Rose @ArchRose90]

In other countries, he would have been shot dead after assaulting police officers at an airport.

In Britain, he’s grinning. Truly sickening.

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@CitizenUddin @EalingCouncil There needs to be a way to report BB misuse same way you can report driving offences

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@ChaponaBike123

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@ChaponaBike123 The bus had already started to pass parked cars, there was a a gap for you to stop and pull in but like a typical cyclist you don't want to stop

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@aidenwalkerr18 Congratulations

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@CitizenUddin @Gumdrop844 @Hillingdon @EalingCouncil

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@PoliceScotland Why is it severe? Can you please give context why the threat level is at this level? If it's increased why has it?

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@CitizenUddin @Hillingdon @EalingCouncil Blue badge needs taking off them and hopefully council deals with it properly and remove the BB, don't give warnings

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@Bikery1966 No that's something cycling mikey does
https://t.co/O7CVvSrhKE

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@DavidHu05137188 @BBCLondonNews

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@CitizenUddin @bigsioda @EalingCouncil confidentially so can't say who the badge belongs to, reason why said person has a BB. They can only tell these things to again someone who is authorised to check.
Which one of these are you?

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@CitizenUddin @bigsioda @EalingCouncil If you are wrong and the BB was being used correctly.
Mine if for hidden disability and posts like yours are the reason I get abused daily and being asked to prove it's mine by people who are not authorised like yourself.
Some drivers are carers so aren't allowed to break

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@MatthewMarks42 @BBCLondonNews If he posted about road safety I would suport him, look at @AshleyNealDI
Cycling mikey starts drama. He looks to cause drama as people prefer to watch drama (arguments, fights, banging windows etc) if he posted the incident without drama I'm sure more people would support him

[Thomas Berman @ThomasBerman1]

@MatthewMarks42 @BBCLondonNews So if a driver hits a cyclist running a red light and cyclist dies it affects the driver, passengers, members of public who see it