“Don’t cry, love,” Jennifer says, sliding her arms around her daughter’s shoulders.

“I know I shouldn’t anymore,” Carolyn says, “but it still  stings when people say my life’s not worth living.”

Jennifer smooths Carolyn’s hair with her hand. “Of course, whose heart wouldn’t tear in two? Should I change the channel?”

Carolyn sighs. “No, leave it.”

“Women should have the right to terminate a pregnancy,” a voice emanating from the TV set says. “What about malformed foetuses? Do you expect them to live out their days in an asylum? That’s heartless.”

“It’s not heartless,” Carolyn says. “I live an amazing life, and I don’t live it in an institution. I live independently in my own home.”

I worry this scenario plays out more often than we know. It seems these days there’s a multitude of opinions on how our country should run or perhaps it’s always been this way. Perhaps, it only seems that way because some groups seem more vocal now. There’s a litany of opinions from what to do with boat-arrivals to if we should celebrate Australia Day. This diversity of views also surrounds the issue of abortion and euthanasia. It’s an issue that even divides those who claim to follow Jesus, but as politicians and activists “debate” if we should end the life of another human being, there’s people listening who hear and understand a lot more than we often give them credit for.

That’s what I found when I read Heidi Carter’s wonderful book, I’m Just Heidi! Living Life to the Full With Down’s Syndrome. I know it certainly opened my eyes. Born in Coventry England, Heidi has fired an admirable campaign to change English laws which allow women to kill their unborn child if it’s deemed it has a severe disability, fearing it will impact the child’s quality of life. Heidi hasn’t won yet, but with her fighting spirit and God on her side, I can’t see how she won’t.

Heidi acknowledges life with Down’s Syndrome isn’t always plain sailing. She has suffered hospitalisations and cyber bullying, but who of us, whether we have a syndrome or not, can say that we have lived a life free of challenges? Heidi now has a paying job and has married a man who she loves with all her heart.

I hope Heidi’s absorbing book will fall into the hands of expecting parents whose unborn baby has received a diagnosis of severe disability . It will allay their fears and fill them with excitement at what babies with congenital conditions can achieve with parental love and God’s providence.  I also hope politicians, voters, activists and health care providers of all categories, positions and political persuasions will read Heidi’s experience of living with a disability. It will remind them, or inform them for the first time, that we’re all made in God’s image for the purpose of reflecting God’s glory.

Despite the diversity of views on an ever-growing number of issues, I hope someday we’ll unite in the belief that all lives are precious no matter what their stage of development or their level of sickness. Instead of extinguishing their lives, let’s think of including them and helping them find their God-given purpose. The Bible says God has given all of us talents, some five and others one. Let’s benefit from the talents God has given all of us, whether we have five or seemingly one, and enjoy the wonderful company people with disabilities can give.

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