14.11.2013: Parents of babies diagnosed with terminal illness tell politicians there is too much focus on abortion and not enough on perinatal hospice care

14.11.2013: Parents of babies diagnosed with terminal illness tell politicians there is too much focus on abortion and not enough on perinatal hospice care

A group of parents of babies who were diagnosed with terminal illness pre-natally met with politicians in Dáíl Éireann yesterday to discuss the establishment of peri-natal hospice care facilities for unborn babies with terminal illness and their families.

One Day More is a support group for parents who have received a poor pre-natal diagnosis for their babies. It promotes hospice care and support for families in these situations.

A representative of One Day More, Cliona Johnson appeared on Primetime on Tuesday night where she described the experience of the short life of her son John Paul. You can watch the ten minute slot by clicking below.

Cliona on PrimeTime 12.11.2013

Ms. Johnson said yesterday: “To date there has been almost extensive focus on abortion and little or no attention given to the development of peri-natal hospice care as a way of dealing with this issue. One Day More strongly urge the government to change this focus.

“Peri-natal hospice care is there for parents to support them as soon as they receive a diagnosis. In real terms it gives families an opportunity to prepare to meet their baby and make memories with them, however brief that may be.”

Ms Johnson said that “despite the initial heartbreak when we received the news that our baby had a terminal illness, I look back now with joy and peace at the memories we made with our son John Paul. Peri-natal hospice style care made our journey with our son one of many wonderful moments that we still cherish to this day. We were able to meet him, hold him, love him and walk every step of the way with him until the inevitable moment when we had to bid him farewell. We are thankful to all the staff, family and friends who helped make the time we spent with our son so special.”

She said that “because of the almost exclusive focus on abortion for babies with terminal illness there are countless couples out there who were not given the opportunity to know about the existence of peri-natal hospice care and the incredibly positive experience that it can provide. One Day More is committed to promoting adequate peri-natal hospice care facilities in Ireland. The time has arrived to give this approach the prominence it deserves as part of the ongoing public discussion on this issue.”

For more information or for support visit www.onedaymore.ie, email onedaymorefamilies@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/onedaymore

One Day More members visit politicians 13th November 2013
Liz McDermott, Maura O’Riordain and Cliona Johnson of One Day More at Dáil Éireann yesterday