Passing Up on Down Syndrome--In Search of "Perfect People"

[Anita S. Lane]

In my blog, "Passing Up on Down Syndrome," I cite the statistic that 90% of babies with Down Syndrome are aborted in the womb, and more and more babies are being aborted for various disorders and conditions detected in the womb.

Is this a public policy issue, or purely a personal decision? Is this a form of genocide? Would more women keep their babies if they thought their babies would be valued in society? Are we as a society in search of "perfect people," and are we growing intolerant of those whom we consider "imperfect?"

What are your thoughts?

[Lydia]

I want to say thank you for this article--you spoke my sentiments. I just had a conversation on the same topic last week with a co-worker.

When I was pregnant with my fourth child, one of my prenatal tests indicated that it was highly likely he had Down Syndrome. The doctor encouraged me to have an amniocentesis to verify it so I could terminate the pregnancy if I desired. I declined, and told her that I would never abort him, and I did not want to submit my pregnancy to the risks associated with an amniocentesis. Caleb was born totally healthy. I have learned that you cannot take everything doctors say as absolute fact. Their knowledge is limited. For my fifth pregnancy, I did not have any prenatal tests done, except for an ultrasound, and at age 42, Quentin was born healthy as well. Before I conceived him, my husband and I were told that because I was over 40, there was a greater chance that our child would be born with Down Syndrome. We discussed that possibility and decided that it really didn't matter. The child would be ours and we would love him/her regardless. My prayer is that parents would realize that "imperfect" children are still their children, and they deserve to be loved and accepted. Thanks again, Anita.

[Anita S. Lane]

Hey Lydia,

Thanks for the feedback. It's a touchy subject, but it needs to be discussed and brought out into the open--like some other subjects :-)

It's likely my son will know very few individuals that share his condition if the abortion rate continues at 90%.

Anita
Lydia said:

I want to say thank you for this article--you spoke my sentiments. I just had a conversation on the same topic last week with a co-worker.

When I was pregnant with my fourth child, one of my prenatal tests indicated that it was highly likely he had Down Syndrome. The doctor encouraged me to have an amniocentesis to verify it so I could terminate the pregnancy if I desired. I declined, and told her that I would never abort him, and I did not want to submit my pregnancy to the risks associated with an amniocentesis. Caleb was born totally healthy. I have learned that you cannot take everything doctors say as absolute fact. Their knowledge is limited. For my fifth pregnancy, I did not have any prenatal tests done, except for an ultrasound, and at age 42, Quentin was born healthy as well. Before I conceived him, my husband and I were told that because I was over 40, there was a greater chance that our child would be born with Down Syndrome. We discussed that possibility and decided that it really didn't matter. The child would be ours and we would love him/her regardless. My prayer is that parents would realize that "imperfect" children are still their children, and they deserve to be loved and accepted. Thanks again, Anita.

[Gregory White]

Are we saying that you don't believe in abortion or that you don't believe in aborting 'imperfect' children? I'm not so clear given the conversation.

Personally, I haven't met anyone that was perfect...child or adult. I kinda equate perfection with a power that is more powerful than all I see and know. In addition, I wonder how many adults advocating for the birth of children with known defects would wish to live the life of someone with those defects. Will you be there the kid's entire life? Most likely not...and then this 'adult child' is to transition into a new space? Ok...

Isn't it rather selfish and self-serving to procreate in a situation where the odds clearly indicate a greater propensity for bringing a child into this world that will have added difficulties...not even counting the difficulties that come along with race, class, socioeconomics, etc. When I think of all the children in this city/state/country/hemisphere that would love to be adopted, but aren't, I truly question the motivation of the people.

[Anita S. Lane]

Gregory, are you saying, "I truly question the motivation of the people [who choose to have a baby with disability]?"

If so, I think the bottom line is this:
1) God grants life and He values every life. Who am I to second-guess who's worth preserving and who has so little "value" that they should be aborted.
2) Tests are fallible and very often children come out with absolutely nothing wrong with them.
3) It's not about "us" --the parents nor the disabled child for that matter. Life is not fair nor predictable. That's where faith, hope and love come in. We need lots of each.

If I've misunderstood your position, let me know.

Anita

Gregory White said:

Are we saying that you don't believe in abortion or that you don't believe in aborting 'imperfect' children? I'm not so clear given the conversation.

Personally, I haven't met anyone that was perfect...child or adult. I kinda equate perfection with a power that is more powerful than all I see and know. In addition, I wonder how many adults advocating for the birth of children with known defects would wish to live the life of someone with those defects. Will you be there the kid's entire life? Most likely not...and then this 'adult child' is to transition into a new space? Ok...

Isn't it rather selfish and self-serving to procreate in a situation where the odds clearly indicate a greater propensity for bringing a child into this world that will have added difficulties...not even counting the difficulties that come along with race, class, socioeconomics, etc. When I think of all the children in this city/state/country/hemisphere that would love to be adopted, but aren't, I truly question the motivation of the people.

[Anita S. Lane]

Gregory,

The protagonist (central figure or advocate) in this scenario is God. "For His pleasure [all things] were created..." including us who are made in his image. (Rev 4:11). God is the giver of life and as creator, He has the right to set the rules.

As free will agents, we have the right to break the rules. However, that doesn't make it right.

We can say all we want, "I just can't reason giving birth to a child that will likely..." However, God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways higher than ours. (Is 55:9). I didn't write the book, I just try to live by it. Living by faith doesn't always coincide with man's reason.

Maybe this explanation was a little clear...maybe.

Anita

Gregory White said:
No, you didn't misunderstand my position, but your brevity does not fully embrace the totality of my comments.

i)I understand the choosing to 'preserve' or not preserve is a sensitive topic. But I do believe that God gives us the opportunity to make choices and fully expects us to do so.

ii)Tests are fallible. However, do we live our lives more by the exception or do you respect the rule? I maintain that the quality of life afforded to most disabled children would not allow me to consciously introduce a child into this world.

iii)If it is not about the child or the adult, you remove the two principle protagonists. A situation without protagonists, in my humble opinion, lacks the substance necessary to attach faith, hope, or love.

Ultimately, we can agree to disagree on this one.

Gregory