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21st May 2018

Generation 8th: “The most difficult part was leaving the hospital that day”

Tony Cuddihy

8th

Gaye and Gerry Edwards tell the heartbreaking story of the death of their baby boy under the shadow of the 8th Amendment.

When they were told that their baby’s condition was “incompatible with life,” Gaye and Gerry Edwards were left with no option – under the 8th Amendment to the Constitution – but to carry the pregnancy to its full term.

“(The doctor) said to us that, in this jurisdiction, the only option is to continue with the pregnancy,” reveals Gaye.

“So we were really just fumbling around in the dark,” continues Gerry, “trying to find somebody who could look after us. We didn’t even know who it was safe to ask.”

Gaye and Gerry were ultimately given a handwritten referral from a doctor with details of how to get treatment. At 20 weeks, they travelled to Northern Ireland, and this is their story.

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