There is a special bond that only a mother can have with her child. It’s a love that grows even stronger in times of difficulty. This story is about a young mother who made a decision that changed her life and the life of her child forever.
When Courtney Williams Baker went to her doctor’s office during her pregnancy, she was given some news that no one expects to hear. Her baby, still growing in her belly, was diagnosed with Down syndrome. The doctors, following the usual procedure, suggested that she end the pregnancy.
They told her that her life would be much easier without a child who might have special needs. But Courtney, along with her husband, didn’t let the doctor’s words shake them. They made a decision that would change their lives for the better—they chose to keep the baby.
Fast forward to 2016, when little Emersyn, now two years old, was growing up and bringing joy into their lives. One day, Courtney sat down to write a letter to the doctor who had advised her to end the pregnancy. She wanted to share her feelings and the journey she had been on with her daughter.
In the letter, Courtney described a conversation she had with a friend. The friend told her about her own experience with a doctor during her pregnancy. The doctor would smile and say, “He’s perfect,” every time he saw her baby during her sonograms.
Courtney couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. She had experienced something completely different. The doctor who saw her during her pregnancy with Emersyn hadn’t been so supportive.
“I told you,” the doctor had said, looking at her baby, “he’s perfect.” Courtney reflected on how her heart broke hearing these words. “I was so grateful for my friend’s experience, but it also made me sad. I wish that was my story too.”
In the letter, Courtney was honest about how much the situation had hurt her. She wished she had been treated with more care. “I wish you had been that physician,” she wrote. She explained how frightened and anxious she had been when she first learned of her baby’s condition.
“It was the most difficult time in my life,” she said. “When I came to see you, I was scared. I wanted you to tell me the truth about my baby. Instead, you recommended that we abort her. You questioned if we understood how hard life would be with a child with Down syndrome. You told us to reconsider carrying the pregnancy to term.”
Courtney recalled how those words made her feel. “We dreaded every appointment,” she said. “Each visit felt like an emotional battle. You didn’t help me. You didn’t support me. Instead, you made the hardest time in my life even harder.” But despite all the negativity, something beautiful happened.
Emersyn, her daughter, turned out to be a blessing beyond words. Courtney wanted the doctor to know just how much joy her daughter had brought into their lives. “Emersyn has touched the hearts of thousands of people,” Courtney wrote.
“She has brought so much happiness into our home—more smiles, more laughter, and more love than I ever imagined. She gave us a purpose and joy that words can’t fully express. Through her, I learned to appreciate true beauty and unconditional love.”
Courtney ended her letter with a powerful message. “You see,” she wrote, “I am so thankful for Emersyn. She is perfect, just the way she is. And despite what you told me, she has made our lives better than I ever thought possible.”
Courtney’s letter is a reminder of how important it is to trust your heart and make decisions that are right for you, no matter what others may say.
Her story is one of love, strength, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. What do you think of her journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!