Heidi Crowter fought to change a law that says abortions can be performed up to birth if the child is at risk of “serious” handicap.
A campaign started in 2020 by a woman with Down Syndrome against a near six-decade-old abortion law came to an end on Thursday. Heidi Crowter, along with Máire Lea-Wilson, whose son Aidan has Down Syndrome, and a child with Down Syndrome identified only as A, took Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care for the UK to court over abortion regulations. According to The Guardian, they challenged the Abortion Act 1967, which states that abortions in England, Wales and Scotland can be performed up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy unless “the mother’s life is at risk or the child would be born with a severe disability.” On Thursday, Crowter’s case was dismissed and it was determined by two senior judges that the legislation was not unlawful and stated that a “very difficult balance has to be struck by Parliament between the interests of the foetus and the rights of women.” Before heading into court back in July, Crowter said, “I find it extremely offensive that a law doesn’t respect my life, and I won’t stand for it,” The Guardian reported. Crowter told Sky News last October the law made her feel as though she were better off dead. Crowter was featured on the newscast along with her younger sister, Suzie, to discuss the case.
