Dear friends,
Both sides of the abortion debate have discussed disability to justify their respective positions—whether that’s the choice of a mother to abort a fetus based on a Down’s Syndrome diagnosis, or the right of children born with disabilities to survive and thrive. But, until recently, no one has ever asked disabled people themselves what they think about abortion.
This week, and in light of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, we bring you a special episode of Down To The Struts. In this episode, I interview Sara Luterman, the caregiving reporter at The 19th.
Sara was given exclusive access to the results of a new poll from Data for Progress which, for the very first time, asks disabled people what they think about abortion. Sara and I talk about the results of the poll, the brutal history of eugenics and forced sterilization for disabled people, and the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade for the health, care, and bodily autonomy of disabled communities, and all those who can become pregnant. Sara’s wisdom on these issues make this episode a must listen.
Yours in solidarity,
Qudsiya