Jesse Ridgway, 33, Says Abortion Post Drew Death Threats After Trisomy 21 Diagnosis
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 6
Jesse Ridgway, 33, Says Abortion Post Drew Death Threats After Trisomy 21 Diagnosis
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 6
Summary
A post by YouTuber Jesse Ridgway about ending a pregnancy after a Trisomy 21 diagnosis drew death threats and abuse against him and his wife Ashley, days after the abortion.
22.1 million views on X turned the disclosure into a national flashpoint, with hateful comments from abortion opponents, some parents of children with Down syndrome and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who called the decision “evil.”
Ridgway said the couple shared the decision because he has long posted personal details to millions of followers, but the backlash spread across platforms and reached into their offline lives.
About 74% of U.S. women who receive a Down syndrome diagnosis terminate the pregnancy, according to research, making the couple’s choice statistically common even as public discussion of it remains rare.
As lifespans for those with Down syndrome double, is the choice to terminate based on outdated fears?
If science can predict disability, who holds the power to decide if that life is lived?
Jesse Ridgway’s Public Abortion Story: Navigating Trisomy 21, Mental Health, and America’s Divided Abortion Laws
Overview
Jesse and Ashley Ridgway publicly shared their decision to terminate a pregnancy after a Trisomy 21 diagnosis, which quickly became mainstream news and sparked widespread discussion. The couple was surprised by the intense public reaction and scrutiny, but Ashley found support from others with similar experiences, reinforcing her decision to speak out. Jesse emphasized the need for acceptance of their personal choice, highlighting how such decisions are often private but deeply impactful. Their story brought attention to the emotional challenges of prenatal diagnoses and the importance of open conversation, community support, and understanding in the face of differing opinions.