The Assembly star Aitch’s ‘sadness’ over Down Syndrome abortion law after sister Gracie ‘changed his life’
'I don't want Down Syndrome to be seen as a negative thing'
Aitch appears on The Assembly tonight, with the rapper – real name Harrison Armstrong – opening up about his relationship with his sister Gracie.
Gracie, 16, has Down Syndrome. But Aitch has said previously that he thinks the condition is “a blessing”.
Aitch on why he wanted to appear on The Assembly
During tonight’s episode (April 22), Aitch explains to the team of neurodivergent interviewers that he’s never seen an episode of their show.
However, he has admitted that he had one huge reason to appear on it. Sister Gracie.
Speaking ahead of his appearance, he said: “The Assembly experience for me was absolutely unreal. It was a breath of fresh air and it gave me faith in humanity. It was one of the most fun things I’ve done in a while. I didn’t really know what to expect and I didn’t have a clue what I was getting into. But after I’d left the building, I wanted to do it every day for the next two weeks!”
Aitch – an Ambassador for the Down’s Syndrome Association – added that he wanted to appear to “raise awareness and educate people to have a more positive view of people with disabilities”. “Another reason was to make the people who are on The Assembly feel equal and just have some vibes with them lot. I wasn’t going on it with the sole intent of showing love to the Down’s Syndrome Association; it was more just showing love to everyone with a disability.”
Aitch on sister Gracie’s Down Syndrome being a ‘blessing’
Gracie – who is a twin – was born with Down Syndrome. But it’s never been something that Aitch or his family have viewed in a negative light.
Before appearing on I’m A Celebrity last year, he spoke openly about the condition, telling the Mail: “I don’t want anyone to be like disheartened or feel [bleep] if they do find out someone in the family’s got Down Syndrome. It’s a blessing.
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“You’re going to have the best time of your life as long as you’re spending it with that person. My main thing, really and truly, is because I don’t want Down Syndrome to be seen as a negative thing. And I don’t want anyone to have the reply of: ‘Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,’ because it’s just definitely not the case. They’re the best people in the world.”
Comments on abortion law
At the time, the rapper also waded into controversial abortion laws. They allow the termination of a baby with Down Syndrome up until birth.
Speaking passionately, he said: “I’ve just learned certain things over the years that make me a bit sad. In terms of you can be a day before giving birth, and if you find out your child’s got Down Syndrome, you can still have the option to terminate it.
“Whereas in another situation, if your kid doesn’t have that, you’ve only got a certain amount of time before you can abort.”
What sister Gracie has taught rapper Aitch
Gracie rose to national fame, after she and twin Hattie went to visit him in the jungle. And their bond was clear for everyone to see.
Speaking about her in the jungle, he said: “It’s not even about how to handle it, it’s about how you view it. They’re the best people in the world. Obviously, everyone would say this about their siblings but forget that she’s my sister, she is the sickest person I’ve ever met!
“I’ve heard different stories over the years of how kids with Down syndrome get treated and that and it just makes me feel sick.”
Speaking on Jamie Laing’s podcast Great Company, Aitch previously opened up about their relationship. He told Jamie: “I wouldn’t even be half the person I am if she wasn’t here. And she actually teaches you lessons that you don’t even realise until after. She changed my life.
“She used to grab my face before I went to bed and say: “Harrison, don’t be afraid.'” In fact, Aitch tells The Assembly crowd tonight that Gracie’s words actually inspired one of his many tattoos.
He added: “It’s taught me, and this is going to sound bad, but it’s taught me more to treat everyone the same. And to understand that everyone is a human.”
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