IN SUPPORT OF MICHAEL AND LYNNE PALMIRSANO
18 years ago, a doctor told a mother to abort her baby due to his Down syndrome. She didn’t.
18 years ago, a doctor told a mother to abort her baby due to his Down syndrome. She didn’t.
Our culture often celebrates pleasure, ease, and convenience at all costs. Rarely do we see examples of heroes who choose to sacrifice their own comfort to do the right thing; or to put themselves through hard work for the sake of other people.
18 years ago, Michael and Lynne Palmirsano’s doctor told them their unborn son had Down syndrome and that they must terminate his life. Michael and Lynne of Fall City, Washington, refused, and two weeks ago their son—Silas—walked across the stage at Mt. Si High School to receive his high school diploma.
The longest and loudest cheer of the night was for Silas –this young man blessed everyone in the stadium. Let's join the voices of those in the stadium and say to the Palmirsanos and to the world that we celebrate Silas! Silas has had a tremendous positive impact on his entire community. Tragically, according to one hospital-based study, 85 percent of unborn people diagnosed with Down syndrome will be aborted. In order for this terrible tragedy to end, we need more examples like the Palmirsanos. Please join us in thanking them!
All life is precious, but Michael and Lynne’s doctor 18 years ago didn’t think so. He recommended that they end Silas’s life before he was born. The doctor tasked to provide medical care instead recommended death. But they refused and wrote a letter to that doctor after their son’s graduation.
“Silas has grown into a fine young man with more friends than you could imagine,” wrote his proud parents. “He has won awards at school (Choir Member of the Year) and he was voted Homecoming Duke. His friends include both typical students and those with special needs and he treats them all equally. He is wildly popular and spreads good cheer wherever he goes.”
Raising their son has not been easy—his special needs take up a lot of time and money that many parents may not be willing to spend. Michael and Lynne should be thanked and lauded for choosing life over comfort and ease.
Michael wrote: “Raising Silas has been expensive. It has taken every bit of our fortune, and we live a much smaller life these days. The businesses, houses and extras are all gone. We have been broke for years… and we have never been happier. We replaced fun with joy and we replaced possessions with love.”
Killing a baby because he has Down syndrome or any other disability is grotesque. We must remember that every abortion ends a human life that is made in the image of God. There is sanctity in each and every human life, and we must fight on all fronts to protect unborn children.
And we have seen an example of the sanctity of life in Silas; and we’ve seen an example of strong parents who respect life no matter the cost in his parents. Please join us in encouraging and thanking them for their commitment to life!
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Thank you for your example!
Dear Michael and Lynne,
Our culture often celebrates pleasure, ease, and convenience at all costs. Rarely do we see examples of heroes who choose to sacrifice their own comfort for others.
Thank you for all of the sacrifices you made to raise Silas well. Thank you for refusing to abort him 18 years ago and for raising him despite the personal and financial costs. Congratulations on his recent graduation from high school. We laud your decision to choose his abundant life over your own comfort and ease!
There is sanctity in each and every human life, and we must fight on all fronts to protect unborn children, as you have done.
And we have seen an example of the sanctity of life in Silas; and we have seen an example of strong parents who respect life no matter the cost in you two. Thank you for your witness to all of us; it has not gone unnoticed.
Thank you for your example!
Dear Michael and Lynne,
Our culture often celebrates pleasure, ease, and convenience at all costs. Rarely do we see examples of heroes who choose to sacrifice their own comfort for others.
Thank you for all of the sacrifices you made to raise Silas well. Thank you for refusing to abort him 18 years ago and for raising him despite the personal and financial costs. Congratulations on his recent graduation from high school. We laud your decision to choose his abundant life over your own comfort and ease!
There is sanctity in each and every human life, and we must fight on all fronts to protect unborn children, as you have done.
And we have seen an example of the sanctity of life in Silas; and we have seen an example of strong parents who respect life no matter the cost in you two. Thank you for your witness to all of us; it has not gone unnoticed.
