PLANS FOR BETTER perinatal hospice care in Ireland were discussed in Leinster House today.
One Day More met with members of the Oireachtas to talk about the plans and to highlight the group’s new support network for parents of unborn babies with terminal illness.
One Day More is a group of families who had a child diagnosed prenatally with severe disabilities.
The group also launched their website today and a video of interviews with parents who opted against abortion after a poor pre-natal diagnosis.
Spokesperson for One Day More Cliona Johnson said:
Today is an important day for families of unborn babies with life-shortening conditions. One Day More is committed to delivering much improved peri-natal hospice care services in this country.
Johnson believes there’s been a “disproportionate” focus of abortions in cases of babies with terminal illnesses.
It is really sad that some people think abortion is the obvious answer when a life shortening condition is diagnosed. I believe attitudes would change considerably if more attention was given to the real life stories of women who opted against abortion and chose to keep their babies in these situations.
The group have begun fundraising and also aim to seek support from the Government for perinatal hospice care.
Another group Terminations for Medical Reasons (TFMR) have raised awareness of the issues facing Irish women who have made the “heartbreaking” choice to terminate pregnancies due to fatal foetal abnormalities.
Irish people have to travel to the UK for a termination.
Their website outlines how:
We have all been traumatised, shocked and appalled that at our greatest time of need, our country turned its back on us and made us feel like criminals. We found ourselves in unfamiliar places away from family, friends and our homes. This is so cruel and barbaric and it can not continue to happen.
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