God bless George Will

[minkydog]

If you know someone like Jon, give them a hug

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16720750/site/newsweek/

 

[oxfordcircus]

I know many people like Jon. Good article. We were offered a screening on our last pregnancy. We turned it down.

 

[debbi801]

I know many people like Jon. Good article. We were offered a screening on our last pregnancy. We turned it down.

Excellent article.

We were also offered screening with my youngest because of my advanced maternal age. We took advantage of all of it. Not because we would have terminated had something shown up. But so that DH and I could have been better prepared, done homework, research, etc. ahead of time. I would hope that most people would be like us, want to know only for the preparation factor.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Good friends of mine are parents of a "Cyclops" baby. 28 years ago they had a child that basically had no face. They were told he'd never be "right". They all suffered through years of surgeries and the advice of well meaning folks who suggested that they "put him away somewhere". Today, he's a social worker. Just received his Master's degree and will be married in October.

If there is genetic testing for this kind of birth defect now, the world be deprived of wonderful folks like this young man.

My friend's niece has Downs. the middle child of 7. Her teachers say that she's doing much better than other Down's kids her age because of the stimulation she receives from her siblings, especially the younger ones. Most Down's kids are the last or the only child in the home. She's a teenager now and is a real sweet kid.

Life isn't supposed to be perfect, and sometimes the imperfect parts are where the real blessings are found.

 

[brasswillow]

My older sister is mildly mentally ******** with autistic tendencies. When my mom was pregnant with me the doctor offered testing, but my mom refused. To this day it warms my heart a bit to think that I was wanted no matter what.

 

[mickeyfan2]

If you know someone like Jon, give them a hug

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16720750/site/newsweek/

There was an excellent book that I read a few years back. The boy was named Adam. His mom was a Harvard professor who found out that Adam had DS. Everybody told her and her husband to abort the baby. Well they did not and the book tells the joy that Adam brought into their oh so planned life. They lived a far richer life thanks to Adam.

 

[minkydog]

We were offered all the testing due to my advanced age(39) but we had already decided that whatever child we got we would love. No one in our family or circle of friends had ever had a handicapped child. Then we had Christian.

My son Christian has something similar to Down syndrome, a chromosome problem called tetrasomy 12p or Pallister-Killian syndrome. It's identifiable by amnio. This syndrome is exceedingly rare and the outlook for these babies is not good. They are very mentally handicapped, have seizures, deafness, heart problems and are fully dependent. The majority never walk, talk or potty-train. Many die in utero and about 40% who make it to birth die in the first year.

Of course, I am a hard-headed old broad. You just tell me "can't" and I'll prove you wrong or die trying. Christian had a full list of "can't" and "won't". He couldn't see well, he couldn't suck well, he was super frail. Several times we were told he would not make it . I wouldn't listen. I forced this child to sit up even when he cried so hard his siblings would run from the house. I brushed his teeth with peanut butter and fed him cocktails of oatmeal &sweet potatoes. I made him touch different textures even though he would break out in a sweat. I put him on horses, made him lie down next to dogs, and threw him in the pool--anything to "wake up" his senses. Slowly but surely, Christian came around.

Today, Christian is 11yrs old. He goes to public school in a class for severely mentally handicapped children. He is 90% potty-trained, washes his hands, carries his plate from the table and wipes it up after eating. He runs, goes down the slide, plays with the pets, claps hands, and sings all day long. He's the happiest person you could ever meet. Yes, he still can't see well and he can't talk, but he loves to run and swim and ride his horse. He eats almost anything. He loves to go camping,and Disney World is the tops

My life would be so different without Christian. Raising a child like him is not easy.There are so many decisions to make on a daily basis and the constant worry of keeping him safe. But the joy he brings to our lives is the pay-off. He's happy with his life. He knows he is loved and he gives back love freely. It is a life-long commitment, but there are worse things I could have done with my time than devote myself to caring for this person.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

Nice article. When I was pregnant with my first child, my OBGYN suggested the testing. I said no. He went on to tell me that I needed to have it done so I could terminate the pregnancy if something was wrong. I made it clear that termination was not an option for me. He told me that my attitude towards considering my options was stupid (and yes, he actually used the word stupid) and that he was ordering the test. By this time I was in hysterics and had to be calmed down by several nurses.

Needless to say, I never saw that doctor again.

 

[kejoda]

Nice article. When I was pregnant with my first child, my OBGYN suggested the testing. I said no. He went on to tell me that I needed to have it done so I could terminate the pregnancy if something was wrong. I made it clear that termination was not an option for me. He told me that my attitude towards considering my options was stupid (and yes, he actually used the word stupid) and that he was ordering the test. By this time I was in hysterics and had to be calmed down by several nurses.

Needless to say, I never saw that doctor again.

Good for you. What an ***. I would of told him to was too bad his Mother didn't consider her options.(yes I can be mean.)

We did the testing for this baby. With everything I've been dealing with I wan't to know. So far so good. My doc doesn't want me to do an ammino though, I have a greater risk than normal for miscarriage. LIke debbi801 we wanted to know so we could be prepared. Time will tell. We allready have a son with special needs so luckily we have a support system in place and know who we need to call.

 

[Cool-Beans]

George Will is writing about his son. It isn't the first article he's done - he did a powerful article many years ago about people with Down's and other forms of retardation.

I don't much like abortion, but the idea of aborting children because they are in some way ******** is repulsive.

 

[minkydog]

George Will is writing about his son. It isn't the first article he's done - he did a powerful article many years ago about people with Down's and other forms of retardation.

I don't much like abortion, but the idea of aborting children because they are in some way ******** is repulsive.

Hmmm, I didn't know Jon was his son. That makes me respect him even more.

I'm with you--the thought of killing someone just because they aren't my idea of perfect is disturbing.I mean, heck--I'm not too perfect myself. I'm overweight, depressed, and have bad arthritis. Come to think of it, DH has fibrotic lungs and a pacemaker--I wouldn't think of offing him.

I would have never signed on to raise a handicapped child before I had Christian, but now that we're doing it, it's not so bad. I'd do it again in a heartbeat! It turns out, he IS the perfect child for us.

 

[brasswillow]

It turns out, he IS the perfect child for us.

That's beautiful.

 

[bevtoy]

I work supervising people with disabilities in a group home.
Its amazing what great lives the people I work with have.
Some of their families are astounded at the things they learn to do when they move away from their original homes. They learn to cook, clean, and make their own appointments with very limited supervision. We teach reading and math skills etc. They have taught me more than I can ever say.
I always give them "sideways hugs" on demand.

When I was pregnant with my first child after several tests I was told she was going to have many problems, I refused to abort. She is "normal".
Pregnant with my second child at 39 I refused the tests. They were worried she would have downs syndrome and I told them I would no more abort her than I would divorce my husband if he became disabled. The doctor became very angry with me and acted like I was stupid. She is normal too. Medical professionals are wrong a lot.