Down’s Syndrome May 9, 2007
Posted by spacemom in : Life...otherwise , trackbackThe New York Time has a very interesting article up today. Read and discuss!
My take:
I am pro-choice. I believe women should have the choice over what to do to their bodies. When pregnant with Soleil, we discussed the AFP test and quad screen. I decided against both. If there was something genetically wrong, we would see at the 18 week ultrasound. Jay and I discussed the possibility of Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21). I told him that we have the love and financial resources to raise a T-21 child. And I would.
We discussed other genetic issues and decided which ones we would consider terminating the pregnancy. But Down’s was not one of them.
I hope that people don’t start using the early tests as a form of eugenics.
Our society functions well with the inclusion of those who are different. That is the important thing to remember.
Comments»
I found it interesting is that one (of many) of their reasons for trying to discouraging terminations is they don’t want their population shrinking. And with the shrinking population, contacts, services, etc….
I found that to be a bit self-serving. I’m going to have a Down’s baby for your interests?
Hmmmm.
I did find that a little disturbing. I wish some of the parents focused more on what the kids can do instead of the lack of the community.
Also, nowhere did the article mention that the severity of Down’s can not be predicted…
I finally had a chance to read the articles. This is a hard one for me. After trying for 3 years to have a baby, I could not have “chosen” not to have it. But I am pro-choice. We have a friend tht got pregnant a few months before we did and found out that the baby did have downs. They continued the pregnancy and don’t regret it for a minute, but that is not to say it hasn’t been HARD for them. I felt guilty complaining about my 9 month old who was walking and getting into everything when their 1 year old was barely sitting up…
It takes a special person to raise a special needs child and if you aren’t sure you can handle it, maybe aborting it the best thing…Just my thoughts.
LIsa-
You bring up a very good point. If a person doesn’t feel they can handle a special needs kid, they may need to evaluate the continuance of the pregnancy or adoption.
Thanks for thinking differently than I do!
This is difficult for me…having terminated a pregnancy due to poor fetal diagnosis…T18. While we did do extensive testing when we got pregnant again…I don’t think we would have terminated for a T21 diagnosis. Our first baby had a fatal chromosonal abnormality….t21 isn’t.
As with all things concerning abortion, I believe the parents (and ultimately the woman) need to have the right to choose. Not everybody is cut out to be a parent (perhaps just at that time in their life, perhaps at all) and to raise a special needs child requires even more…we were faced with a possible Down diagnosis when I flunked the triple screen and had to make the difficult decision about what to do should the amnio confirm it. At that time I realized how absurd it would be if a bunch of strangers had tried to make that decision for me by law.
As with all things concerning abortion, I believe the parents (and ultimately the woman) need to have the right to choose. Not everybody is cut out to be a parent (perhaps just at that time in their life, perhaps at all) and to raise a special needs child requires even more…we were faced with a possible Down diagnosis when I flunked the triple screen and had to make the difficult decision about what to do should the amnio confirm it. At that time I realized how absurd it would be if a bunch of strangers had tried to make that decision for me by law.