By Hope 103.2Wednesday 6 Aug 2014Hope MorningsParentingReading Time: 2 minutes
Born with Down Syndrome and a congenital heart condition to his surrogate mother in Thailand, Baby Gammy has made international headlines after it was claimed that his biological parents abandoned him and took his twin sister back home with them to Australia.
But the situation is complex. His biological parents have said they were only told that they had a daughter and had no idea about Gammy.
His surrogate mother says they were aware of him and asked her to terminate the pregnancy after they were informed that he would be born with a disability – but she refused.
This case has raised serious concerns about commercial surrogacy, and it has also raised questions about babies born with Down Syndrome who have been abandoned – a situation not unique to surrogacy.
Why is there so much fear around this disability? What’s involved in raising a child with Down Syndrome, and can both mother and child live fulfilling lives?
Liz is a single mum with four children. Her youngest, Lucy, has Down Syndrome and has also battled many of the associated medical problems including leukaemia, coeliac disease and now alopecia.
Katrina Roe from Hope Mornings spoke to Liz on Lucy’s fifth birthday and asked her what she’s learnt over the last five years.
AUDIO: Liz talks about caring for a child with Down Syndrome on Hope Mornings with Katrina
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Amid the debates and discussions about surrogacy and babies born with disabilities, it seems that the international community has not lost sight of what is most important – the safety and welfare of Baby Gammy.
Gammy remains front and centre of the 'Hope for Gammy' campaign, which is raising funds for his ongoing medical treatment.
AUDIO: Peter Baines talks about ‘Hope for Gammy’ on Open House with Dwayne Jeffries
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“We're now up over $240K,” says Peter Baines, Founder and Chair of Hands Across the Water, the organisation running the campaign. “We've put the fund to good use straight away and just last Friday, Gammy was treated for a lung infection.”
“We're working with experts to understand the pressure points Gammy will face,” Mr Baines says, “then we can then plan for the most efficient use of the funds to help him.”