I felt it was very unfair to couple it with the second article and miss out the actual essence of the original story, which is of a couple’s journey and love for their daughter, who happens to have Down syndrome.

I thank them for sharing their love for Ophelia with us. I think sometimes as parents we can jump to quickly to respond and risk missing the true beauty behind the article.

Parents with children with disabilities have enough hurdles in real life without dealing with the imagined ones that the tabloid press creates to spice up their articles at our expense. What we need is an intelligent, thoughtful piece on these children and adults to increase public awareness. I am proud to be Ophelia’s parent and feel somewhat special. I would like to see her reach her full developmental potential which is why I support William Mobley at the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital because I think their research can correct the enzyme abnormalities in Down Syndrome and their cognitive skills and reduce the possibility of the early onset of Alzheimer’s. It may also help other sufferers from Alzheimer’s.

Laurence Kirwan

Editor’s note: An earlier post about Dr. Mobley is here.

I am both pleased to have found the Kirwan’s rebuttal and scandalised at the way they have been treated. They appear to have been grossly misrepresented. I am sure their analysis of the relative power of a member of the public and a big national newspaper is correct but they might try the Press Complaints Commission http://www.pcc.org.uk/complaints/process.html

The Kirwans might at least like to know that when my researchers made enquiries about the article they were told that it could not be reproduced “for legal reasons”

The only consolation that I can offer is that they have a beautiful daughter and their own integrity — the Mail is just tomorrow’s fish and chip wrapping paper.

Christine Shepherd
Stockport
UK