October 3, 2005

Teen goes extra mile to help inspire change

Wayne State 's Developmental Disabilities Institute recently sponsored a trip to Washington , D.C. by 14-year-old Abby Loy to lobby for legislation titled the Prenatally Diagnosed Condition Awareness Act. Loy, who has Down syndrome and attends regular classes at Brighton High School , met with several legislators to promote the bill that would provide more information to mothers whose unborn babies are diagnosed with conditions like Down syndrome. According to statistics provided by LuAnn Loy, Abby's mother, about 80 percent of fetuses diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted. The bill calls for doctors to provide "up-to-date, scientific, written information concerning life expectancy, clinical course and intellectual and functional development and treatment options…(and) referral to supportive services providers."

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