It’s not uncommon for pregnant mothers to hope for a healthy baby and smooth delivery.
Nevertheless, in a digital age where sharing every aspect of one’s life has become the norm, a Florida mom’s seemingly innocent Instagram post has ignited a fiery debate about health and cancel culture.
Kimberly Lecuyer, a 34-year-old fit pregnancy coach and influencer, has found herself at the center of a social media firestorm after posting an Instagram reel chronicling her fourth pregnancy.
Already a mother of three young girls, Lecuyer candidly shared her thoughts about her fourth child in the caption of an Aug. 17 post.
“Girl mom of 3. Do I want a boy? Absolutely! Would so be mad if I had a 4th girl? Not at all,” Lecuyer wrote.
“Healthy Baby is the goal. I’ve heard a lot of people talk about gender disappointment and I know the feeling… there seems to be so much pressure to have a boy (or maybe in your case, a girl) either way can we just start celebrating the new life about to come into the world?!!” she added.
Lecuyer’s message quickly became a magnet for trolls.
Fellow social media personality and comedian Kevin Fredericks, 40, highlighted the backlash in a TikTok that has delivered over 1.3 million views since Sunday.
Fredericks remarked, “There is nothing you can say on the internet that somebody can’t make negative,” as he showcased some of the comments under Lecuyer’s post, many of which have subsequently been removed.
Read Related Also: Today's Biden Inc question: Did an FBI 'mole' tip Hunter to indictments of China-intel front execs?
One comment read, “Mom of an unhealthy kid here to say that those babies are equally valuable and worthy of love,” to which Lecuyer responded with heartfelt support, wishing the mother “so much love.”
That response generated more criticism, with another commenter saying, “Not sure what you mean by sending her love when you just insulted her child for not being healthy.”
The debate also touched on ableism, with one commenter asking, “Whatever ‘healthy’ means? If it’s not ‘healthy,’ then your prayers won’t be answered? How is ableism different from being sex-selective?”
Fredericks stepped in to defend Lecuyer, clarifying that her desire for a healthy child does not diminish the value of children diagnosed with various ailments.
Amid the whirlwind of opinions, some individuals came to Lecuyer’s defense, offering their own experiences and perspectives.
One person shared, “‘Unhealthy’ baby here (born with Autism), I hope you have a healthy baby too! It’s always been okay to wish for healthy babies!”
Another remarked, “As a disabled woman, these comments are mad wild. wanting a happy healthy child isn’t ableist? Hell, healthy doesn’t just mean ‘physically healthy,’ it can just mean she wants the child safe and sound and doesn’t care for the gender.”
The Post has reached out to Lecuyer for comment.
