A man from Evansville, Indiana, who died last week is serving as an example of why a new law that bans abortions based on fetal abnormalities including Down syndrome is so important.
Rickey Haire was born in 1954 with Down syndrome, and was cared for by his younger brother, Dennis Haire, and his wife Margaret, according to NBC 14 News.
Rickey’s death occurred around the same time that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a law to protect unborn babies with genetic disorders like Down syndrome from being aborted. The new law would ban abortion doctors from knowingly aborting an unborn baby solely because of a genetic disability such as Down syndrome, the unborn baby’s race or sex. North Dakota is the only other state to adopt a similar law.
Margaret Haire said, “Rickey was a person who laughed all the time. His laughter was contagious and he showed such unconditional love His love melted tension. His love made people laugh. He brought out the best in people.”
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Margaret described Rickey as a blessing, not a burden. Though Rickey was not always easy to care for, she said he brought joy to their lives.
“Rickie was a person who laughed all the time. His laughter was contagious, and he showed such unconditional love,” she said. “His love melted tension. His love made people laugh. He brought out the best in people.”
The Haires think that the law could help people who want to adopt. Dennis Haire said, “We’ve heard over the years that there are a lot of people that want to adopt these babies and children but they are not available for adoption.”
Dennis also mentioned the studies showing that about 90 percent of unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted.
According to the local news report, Planned Parenthood hopes to block the measure before it goes into effect in July, but even if it proves successful, the Haires hope that the humanity and love from Ricky’s life will make mothers of babies with Down syndrome reconsider abortion.
The Haires have set up a fund in Ricky’s memory with an organization called S.M.I.L.E. On Down Syndrome to help assist with expenses for adoptions of babies with Down syndrome.
ACTION: Donations can be made in Rickey’s name to S.M.I.L.E. On Down Syndrome, P.O. Box 994, Newburgh, IN 47629) or here.
