October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

By Joni and Friends|Published On: October 2, 2020|Categories: Advocacy, Inspiration, Stories|

When Shauna Amick learned that her preborn baby had Down syndrome, doctors pressured her to abort Sarah Hope. But Shauna knew the truth of God’s Word and understood that Sarah, like every one of us, is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. She chose life for her daughter 15 years ago, and ever since Sarah and Shauna have been a voice for the voiceless… showing the world the beauty of Down syndrome and raising awareness in the battle for life!

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”
Psalm 16:11

“Choosing life wasn’t just something I did when I was given Sarah’s diagnosis during pregnancy,” Shauna explains. “It’s something I do – something both Sarah and I do – each and every day. We choose to celebrate each day God gives us, and we understand full well that one’s value is defined simply by the fact that we are all created by God in his image.”

A person’s worth has nothing to do with how many chromosomes he or she has. Beauty and value are not about working limbs or assumed IQ points. The abundant life comes from embracing the truth about who we are in Christ.

And that’s one reason that each day in October is an opportunity to intentionally recognize the many ways that people with Down syndrome improve the quality of life for everyone. We are all equally gifted members of the body of Christ. When we stop long enough to befriend folks with Down syndrome, we’ll see their many abilities. We’ll also see Jesus reflected in their eyes.

You can read Shauna and Sarah’s story in the One Year Pray for Life Bible, where you’ll not only learn the truth about the value of people with disabilities, but you’ll also find God’s heart on topics such as abortion, mental illness, euthanasia, global pandemics and more.