Tonight at 8p on ABC Family’s Switched at Birth, it is time for Toby (Lucas Grabeel) and Lily (Rachel Shenton) to make a decision on whether or not to abort their baby with Down Syndrome.
Toby is 21 and he is barely making enough to pay his rent as he works as a DJ. Lily, his neighbor with benefits is pregnant with their child and it has tested positive for Down Syndrome. She is a teacher and is also barely making ends meet. The reason why she got the test is that her brother has it, so she knows what it will be like to raise a child with it. Now the two of them have to decide what to do.
On tonight’s episode, Toby tells his parents about the baby. His dad (DW Moffett) freaks out and tells him to have an abortion. His mom (Lea Thompson) on the other hand is supportive. Bay (Vanessa Marano), his sister thinks he should also terminate the pregnancy, but he should do his research before he makes a decision he can’t reverse. Bay takes him to a school with children, who have Down Syndrome, and he gets to see kids like his future child for himself. After the visit, he makes his decision.
Now it is time for Lily and Toby to decide what to do. By the end of the episode, we will know what choice they make. There will be tears from them and from us during this well played out episode that explores both sides of the emotionally charged topic. I can’t praise them enough for how well done this episode is and I think everyone should watch it.
A few months ago, I started talking to a cousin I didn’t really know I have. She told me she teaches kids with Special Needs. Her classroom used to be filled with children with Down Syndrome, but as time has gone on there are less of them in her classroom. When I asked her why, she explained to me that because of genetic testing a lot of them are being aborted. When she told me that, it made me sad because I want to someday adopt a child with Down Syndrome. They are beautiful human beings that are full of love and joy. It saddens me that families are opting not to have them (I just need to say, I am pro-choice), but I can understand why they wouldn’t. Tonight’s episode shows both sides and why their decision is right for them and only them. A choice you want to see them make for themselves.
