Comments about ‘Down syndrome a modern-day death sentence’

Marginally productive??? My daughter with Down Syndrome was borne prematurely, had to spend 3 months in hospital after birth, doctors wanted us to rid ourselves of this burden. On wednesday she turns ten. She is able to read and write in 2 languages. She is currently only one grade behind in school and doing great. She does great handstands and cartwheels. What is their measure of potential productivity? It is not the marginally productive comment that makes me most upset, but the parents that decide to skip on the most rewarding and amazing road they were put on by having a handicapped child. It changed our lives for the better. Nothing changes your perceptions like the unconditional love a down syndrome child offers you. Maybe we should look at the productivity of "intelectuals" that try and justify the murder of unborn children, just because they are different. Wasnt that Hitlers show? One superior gene pool? Think about it!!

As a mother of a beautiful daughter with down syndrome, I am truly blessed. But society would rather tell people that I am in the minority that children with down syndrome are a burden. The interesting fact is that all families I have spoken to also feel blessed. Now I will concede that there are, perhaps, some families who do not know feel the same, but that percentage would have to be very low. I have communicated with approximately one hundred families, and they all speak of the joy their children has brought to their families. The medical community terrorizes expectant moms with debilitating news, and the families speak of their joy. Society needs to know that down syndrome has a place in our world. It is a naturally occurring human event and does not need to be eradicated. Perhaps the medical community would be better served fighting disease and helping man, rather than isolating perceived "defects" and trying to eliminate them.

Though some look upon disabilities as negatives to scoiety and family, they are wrong. Even with the diminished capacity of learning and fully productive in life, people with Down Syndrome individuals are all pure of heart and soul. Down Syndrome children and adults have other purposes in life, they spread love, honesty, and display the true meaning of life and caring for others. They don't know what it is to be selfish, greedy, dishonest, or what a lie is. They bring families and community together as a single force of what it means to be pure of heart. You don't pity them, you can't help but love them and pass it on to others. They are meant to unite families, friends, and society with open displays of what caring for loved ones and strangers should be about. The parents of children with Down Syndrome do go through a traumatic time after birth. But in a short time this child with a disability can unite generations of families who have forgotten the meaning of life and what it means to have true happiness. They exemplify what a 'normal' human being and society should be like.

This story is an interesting counter-point to the story about cost of care being an ethical issue.

It is also interesting in light of recent letters and articles on insurance and care for children with autism.

Then, there is also the rising cost of education and the fact that down syndrome children have special education needs.

This is where the rubber hits the road folks - which is more important: money or human beings? Do we provide medicaid and health care for those who are the weakest among us? Or do we decide there is only so much money and tough choices have to be made?

I know where I stand - what about you?

"...a person afflicted with Down syndrome is only capable of being marginally productive."

I know a lot of completely normal people who are only marginally productive. Why Sarah Palin is blasted for knowingly giving birth to a Down Syndrome child is beyond me, that is her and her husband's business, no one elses. I also totally understand why such children are aborted, it's a tough decision to make, and I'm thankful I never had to make it.

I'm glad so many support the choice to keep a child with Down Syndrome. Do you also support the choice to abort one? If not, are you adopting all of the available children with Down Syndrome?

Sarah Palin was not blasted for knowingly giving birth to a down syndrome child - she was blasted for making such a big deal out of "choosing" to have a down syndrome child.

The reason I say "choosing" is because she "chose" to have a down syndrome child the same way I "chose" not to smoke this morning.

Palin does not believe in abortion - it was never an option for her. I don't smoke - having a cigarette is not an option for me.

You are absolutely right that it is the business of no one but Palin and her husband - it would be nice if she would extend that same courtesy to others.

I have a son who is 3 and has Down Syndrome what a blessing he is, most people do not get all of the information when they get the news there baby has Down Syndrome, there is so much out there for these children and there and a lot of support groups that are willing to help, I bet you did not know that there is a waiting list to adopt a baby with Down Syndrome, these kids are just like any other kid it just takes them a little longer to learn, but they do and your life is so much better with them in it.

a handicapped child can bring alot to the lives of those who care for and love her. I only wish that those who say the terrible things could see the joy that she brings to the lives of others.

Re: Gopherus

"..are you adopting all of the available children with Down Syndrome?"

Perhaps not all of them, but 19 years ago, my brother and his wife had made arrangments to adopt the soon-to-be-born child of an expectant single mom. They looked forward to the birth of this child as if it were their own biological offspring. But when he was born, it was discovered that he had Down Syndrome. It would have been very easy for them to simply back out of the adoption arrangment, but to their credit, they did not.

It was an act of love and sacrifice that has resulted in some challenges for all, including those of us in the extended family. But "the worth of a soul is great," and despite the challenges, we love having this now 19-year-old young man in our family. He is is loving, he is honest, and he has no guile.

I've been teaching for five years and have had the opportunity of having a downs child in my classroom for four of those years. Marginally productive?? I have to say that the opposite is true. Every year when we introduce our new Downs child into the classroom, kids are a little skeptical and scared, due to the lack of knowledge and understanding, but within days, the Downs child has changed the classroom completely. They bring more joy, laughter, moral insights, and the understanding of how differences make us better people. The kids clap and cheer every day when our sweet Downs children come into the classroom. They have blessed my life and opened my eyes to the importance of a human life. Whether they be perfect or imperfect in society' view. To me they are God's gift to teach us an understanding what life is really about. As aunt of a Downs child, I see the miracle that they are. Let's educate society of the importance of a human life.

"Perhaps the medical community would be better served fighting disease and helping man, rather than isolating perceived "defects" and trying to eliminate them".

Surely you don't mean that if medicine could prevent birth defects, this medicine shouldn't be invented or used do you?

Wow, I had no idea the value of life was so conditional to some.

We knew a lovely couple in our church who had a beautiful daughter and a handsome boy with Down Syndrome. He was quite capable, obviously beloved by both parents and his sister and everyone in the church. But when the wife became pregnant again, they decided to have the tests and decided, that although they loved their son with Down Syndrome, they would not bring another child into the world with Downs. Fortunately, the child was not found to have Downs and they were saved from having to follow through on that decision. I nor any family member have ever had to make that decision and I'm thankful for not having to have to make that decision. Again, if you have the knowledge of being able to identify if the child has Downs, how many Downs Syndrome children is it ok to have? It can also be a burden in the family to have more special needs children than you can handle and it can take a toll on the not-handicapped children.

My sister with Down Syndrome will be 33 in April. When she was born, my parents were told she would not live past her teenage years, that she would never learn to walk or talk (or anything else) and that they should institutionalize her. They looked for other options. My sister was part of a pilot program for down syndrome children. She has done more and lived longer than it was ever expected she would do.

I would not trade her or change my family for anything. There is, however, no way I would wish a down syndrome child on a family that cannot or will not properly appreciate such a special human being - it is not fair to family and it is most certainly not fair to the child.

As sad as it is that so many chose to abort in this type of a situation, I would not remove their option to do so.

"Gopherus"--do you know about the long waiting list for those waiting to adopt children with DS? Check it out. We did--we are more than blessed with our son whom we have adopted!!! I know so many willing people. Truly. I wish people chose this option a whole lot more.

"Why deny the obvious?"---That doesn't sound too pro-life to me...We adopted a child with DS. He is our 7th child..we chose him b/c he has DS..Once you've been touched by these blessings, then you will get it, I guess. That is, only if you allow yourselves to experience this opportunity.

Regardless of adoption availability, or burden, or whatever...none of that matters. These are children. Period. You just don't kill people. That's all.

My son has Down's Syndrome. We make a good income and are willing to pay for help for him, but there isn't any. We are on a waiting list that is 12 months long for any counseling or special education for him. Utah provides no programs for him. The so-called "market place" provides no programs for him. We're seriously considering moving to Minnesota or Wisconsin where the state actually takes an interest in helping the disabled.

My beautiful daughter is 9 and is in third grade. She is the greatest blessing in my life. She can read, write, do math and gets 100% on her spelling tests. She is loving, kind and innocent. She is extremely sensitive and cries easily when others are being hurt or made fun of. We had medical tests that indicated she may be DS but did not pursue the amnio. We knew that we needed to accept the responsibility. It was a difficult time at birth. What has come of the choice to give life has blessed my life and the life of family and friends. It has made me a more compassionate person and less judgmental. I recognize that everyone has talents and not everyone will be a brilliant student or fantastic dancer. Life is easier now. I Accept my children for who they are and encourage them all to develop their talents. I love my child with Down Syndrome and that is the reality.

To "RE Mom"
Down syndrome is not a birth defect. It is a genetic disorder, it cannot be prevented unless a woman chooses to terminate. Today, there is ongoing research to help people with the condition. of which I support. The current search and destroy mission used by the medical community I do not support. Simple.

Great story. Downs children are a challenge, but a challenge couples who have them are up for. These children are indeed beautiful and precious. Plain and simple.