In their own words: Perspectives on Down syndrome
October 28th, 2009
Caring for a Down’s Syndrome child — [UK] Telegraph
Sue Hare, 48, says of her son, Will:
Now that Will is nearly five years old, it’s impossible to look at him without thinking that he is the most perfect child imaginable. Having a child with Down’s syndrome is not a punishment; that one extra chromosome doesn’t make him a booby prize. People compliment me for having a very “Pollyanna” attitude, but I love Will in the same way that any mother loves her child.
Our Down’s syndrome son Oliver is a joy — The [UK] Sun
Former world auto racing champion Damon Hill says of his 20-year-old son, Oliver:
I think some people have an idea that their life will be over because they will be caring for this child. It is hard work, but so are all children.
‘Jane’, who aborted her child with Down syndrome, says:
… “It was heartbreaking having to accept I’ll never be a mum but I stand by our decision. I just don’t think it’s fair to bring a child into the world knowing it will suffer.”
Down’s Syndrome: ‘The idea of losing my son was too much to bear’ — [UK] Telegraph
Sandy Lewis, mother of 16-year-old Max, advises other parents of children with Down syndrome to enjoy each moment with their children. However, she says that raising a child with Down syndrome can be hard work when dealing with the physical ailments, getting services, coping financially, and fearing the idea of losing a child. Max, an actor, appeared with Cate Blanchett in the film “Notes on a Scandal.”
Mum of Down’s syndrome daughter ‘wouldn’t change a thing’ — Oxford [UK] Mail
Emily Robinson says of her two-year-old daughter Lucy:
“I believe if people really knew about Down’s syndrome, and knew the facts about what it was really like, they would not have the terminations.
“I wouldn’t change things for the world.
“If you look at Lucy, she’s walking, she’s starting to talk, and she goes to a mainstream pre-school. People’s stereotypes and preconceptions are 15 to 20 years out of date.”
([UK] Telegraph photo)
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on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 2:16 pm and is filed under Down syndrome, abortion, prenatal diagnosis, public attitudes.
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October 28th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I am so sorry for Jane who had an abortion as she was obviously convinced by someone that a child with Down syndrome “suffers” more than other children. She said that she knew children with Down syndrome had more heart problems, eye problems and infections and that she didn’t think it was fair to bring a severely disabled child into the world. This could not be further than the truth.
My husband and I have a wonderful 10 year old child who happens to have Down syndrome. She is not “suffering” at all. Yes, she wears glasses (so does my husband and so do I). Yes, she had a heart problem – it was completely repaired when she was 10 weeks old. She does not have any more infections than any other child, but what’s the big deal if she did? If you knew a child was going to have, say, asthma, would you decide that, instead of having the child “suffer” with such a malady, that child should never live? Who are we to play God and decide which is a malady or condition that warrants a person being given the chance to live and which warrants a person not being given life? With Jane, either she was given an inaccurate view of what living with Down syndrome is like or she wasn’t concerned about the child, but herself. Either, I believe, is tragic.
Also, I completely agree that, like all children, those with Down syndrome will read what is written, especially as it concerns them. I believe Jane has tried to convince herself that the decision she made was correct, but is tormented that perhaps it wasn’t. I think her story is evidence of the negative information out there, information that our children may read. I’ll pray for her and our children tonight.