German Man Who Survived Abortion Dies

15.01.2019

A German man who survived a failed late-term abortion in 1997 has died aged 21. Tim – known as the “Oldenburg baby” – was diagnosed with Down syndrome in the 20th week of gestation. Since his mother threatened to take her own life, a late-term abortion – which would normally be illegal in Germany – was scheduled. But things didn’t go according to plan.

The abortionist did not inject potassium chloride into Tim’s heart to kill him, assuming he would not survive labour. Born weighing just 690g (1½lbs), nurses wrapped him in a towel, where he spent the first nine hours of his life alone. After that, realising he was still alive, doctors and nurses began to provide him with medical care.

Doctors gave him one, or at most two, years to live because of various health difficulties, including underdeveloped lungs, which made him susceptible to infections.

After his mother and father declined to keep him he was raised by Bernhard and Simone Guido who had applied to be foster parents.

As a result of adopting Tim, the Guidos became campaigners against late-term abortions in Germany – and the use of pre-natal tests to allow abortions. In Germany an estimated nine out of 10 Down syndrome diagnoses lead to an abortion.

As well as Tim and their two own children, the Guidos fostered two further children with Down syndrome.

In a statement, the Guidos said Tim had died without warning after a “wonderful Christmas” at home with his family, days after contracting a lung infection. They said, “We are very sad and don’t yet know how we should come to terms with the loss of our son who was unique, full of life and spread joy.”

The Irish Times. January 9.