"About 90% of pregnant women who are given a Down syndrome diagnosis have chosen to have an abortion."This is a very thought-provoking article that touched me. As a special education teacher who works with children from all diverse walks of life, I can truly say that children with special needs have special gifts that are so very valuable to our society. In my humble opinion, I think I have the best career in the world!
Back to the article...
There is broader and increasing prenatal genetic testing that can inform parents that their child will be born with Down Syndrome. While I see that it could be positive that the parents would have time to prepare and become ready for their future family with prenatal genetic testing... using this information to terminate a pregnancy is almost bordering on eugenics. Are we subconsciously sending a message that this type of diversity is not welcome in our world? There are also many families who would be more than happy to welcome this special young child into their home and into their lives.
"A dwindling Down Syndrome population, which now stands at about 350,000, could mean less institutional support and reduced funds for medical research. It could also mean a lonelier world for those who remain."
This article talks about a group of activists who just want to get the word out as to how special and valuable people with Downs Syndrome (and other special needs for that matter) are.
“It isn’t about abortion politics or religion, it’s a pure ethical question.”
Even if one doesn't agree... this is at the very least something to critically think about.
4 comments:
Choosing to have a child with severe mental and physical problems is a moral atrocity. There's no way to get around the fact that Down syndrome causes suffering in everyone involved, especially the child. The parents who support bringing more people burdened with this illness into the world only want to extend their and their children's suffering to everyone else. They should be named for what they are - evil.
Every child should be loved and valued - but a fetus is not a child until he or she is born - and what kind of perverted monster do you have to be to want children to suffer their entire life? Only the religious dogma behind the hypocritical "culture of life" is capable of sinking people to this level.
I think to call the generous, dedicated, and loving parents of children in this world with Down Syndrome "evil" is quite extreme.
Who says that people with disabilities suffer their entire lives? Most do not.
My brother was born with a serious illness as a child and was not given a very poor prognosis--yes, he suffered, but today he is alive, well, and loved by all of us so much. I couldn't imagine having aborted him just to spare he and my famiy some suffering.
Saying "a fetus is not a child until he or she is born", is definitely just one opinion--there are many differeny viewpoints on this.
Not to mention, sometimes prenatal diagnosises are wrong... so that's really unfortunate.
Again, I work with children with disabilities every day. I have never seen such happy kids. They have an admirable view about life that us "average" people could really benefit from. I would suggest that you work with these people to see what they have to offer our society.
I hope you are not suggesting that people who are advocates for people with disabilities are "evil", a "moral atrocity", and "perverted monsters". If you are suggesting this, it's a shame.
"There's no way to get around the fact that Down syndrome causes suffering in everyone involved, especially the child."
Do you understand how ignorant that would sound to a person who has Down Syndrome and can read, write, reason, and perhaps type? That is part of them, who they are, you can't say it causes suffering.
Yeah, I'm sorry, but I don't agree with you at all. If they suffer, than maybe we should abort all people with "fat" genes, or perhaps "stupid" people.
I have just picked up this blog and these comments. I do not know who 'HeroicLife' is, but s/he is obviously an 'expert', but at what I can't imagine, other than writing uninformed nonsense. I am a doctor and specialise in assessing and treating children with special needs, many of whom have Down's syndrome. As with those who do not have this syndrome (a 'collection of symptoms' - to help our resident expert HeroicLife) their abilities cover a wide range. ALL children have a right to life and who are we to define what constitutes suffering?
Following a road traffic accident in my late teens I have been in a wheelchair all my working life. This did not prevent me from qualifying and working at a very demanding job. Well-meaning people have described my disability as a 'tragedy' for me/ Nonsense, I am fortunate to have survived and bless each day that comes.
I know many people with Down's syndrome who are writers, qualified chefs, dancers, actors, musicians and most of all, bringers of joy to their families and friends. HeroicLife - can I suggest you get a life and stop interfering in the lives of others?
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