Do you have a Down Syndrome Child in your own family or in a close relative's family? If you don't, you really should not be making a judgement unless you have first hand knowledge of the subject.
It's a feel good thing to say you want to protect the rights of an unborn child with or without downs or whatever health issue. It's totally a different world for an entire family when one member has a life long health issue.
I know.
No, I don't. Actually, no kids at all. Although we tried it wasn't in the cards. Then we made a conscious decision so as not to roll the dice with my wife's health or the increasing possibility of issues related to pregnancy and child bearing as she aged.
I couldn't possibly completely understand a life spent dealing with everything associated with raising a Down's syndrome child. It must be absolutely exhausting.
That was not my point, nor was it my intent to cast judgement at those who live with that reality.
I was asking at what point in the pregnancy is this determined? Very early on?
And commenting on how so many people want perfection- and when it's not going to happen then "disposing" of it.
And it's not a "feel good thing for (me) to say I support the rights of an unborn child....". I know it's not easy to make hard decisions.
I work in environments where I've seen massive facial deformities in children. Horrendous stuff. And kids born without appendages. Or digits or toes. But these kids are the most loving little sweethearts you'll ever meet- and entirely non-self conscious abort their abnormalities. Doesn't make it easy on the parents though. And they will face challenges that you or I will not. Should they have said fuck it and pulled the pin?
One of my nephews developed leukemia very very early in life, about 3 years old. Years of treatments, chemo, renal etc. etc. It was very close- then he took right off. He is now 25 and going strong. If this was known during pregnancy would it then be OK to terminate?
His brother was a premie- I held him in one hand when he arrived, he only weighed a few pounds. He was also born with a hole in his heart and under-developed lungs and other organs. His doctor's gave his original chance of survival at maybe 50-50. He was touch and go for the early part of his life. He's had to battle with being a runt amongst his peers. It's caused him some very dark times and he's even chased the black dog. By all accounts he's doing fine now- or at least that's what he shows. Would he have been a candidate for some to deem unworthy and expendable? Too much trouble and expense?
Nothing is guaranteed. Life is hard on many levels. From my understanding there are many born with Down's syndrome that lead quality lives- of course, within reason. And those lives are typically of much shorter duration. I don't profess to know much of the facts.
All the power to you for stepping up and contributing. Sincerely.
Would you have terminated this child in your life? I'm thinking not.....