Comments on: ABC: Down syndrome births down in U.S.

By: Opus

Opus — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:30:56 +0000

Thanks Scott, I will just stay out of this kind of thing….

My wife, daughter and I are caregivers for a lady with DS who has lived with us for 8 years now. It works well for her and our family and we will continue to do so for many years we hope. All the best – BloOpus signing out

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:40:19 +0000

Opus, So I got your attention…. now think about how you scream the fact that you took someone into “MY HOME and have for years”….. if you open your home doesn’t it become the person with Ds’s home too? I’m just sayin……

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:36:50 +0000

Whew! One down how many more close minded people to go…..

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:33:17 +0000

Let’s not be too hard on Mr./Mrs. BloOpus (and I’m not just saying that because he/she “totally agreed” with my previous post.

It’s hard to get your point across on a keyboard and I’ve certainly disagreed with some of his/her posts in the past.

However, BloOpus is responsible for caring for an individual with Ds who I assume isn’t his child.

For that, I admire BloOpus.

By: Opus

Opus — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:08:25 +0000

Rachel- “I would suggest you spend some time creatively with the person with Ds you care for and get to know them as a person first. ”

You actually said that ? No wonder we’re not communicating here. I’m the one that took someone into MY HOME and have for years.

Fine, I’m done. Go on as you were…..

By: Terri

Terri — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:16:32 +0000

If we follow this argument out logically, no one who excels at anything and no celebrity should ever be shown anywhere because MOST people will not do what the ‘excellers’ have done… Very few of us can be rock stars, sports stars, president, etc, etc, etc… so none of this should be shown in the media at all.

Clearly that isn’t the way it works for people without disabilities… celebrities, stellar performers and leaders fill the media and the world is comfortable with that.

Why the different standard for people with disabilities?

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:06:10 +0000

It is kind of sad we have to “wave the superstars around” but the old way of educating people on Down syndrome is still out there. We still have websites that portray individuals with Ds as angels or portray all individuals with Ds as interested in the same things.

We have to “wave” to change thoughts within our own organizations. Many of our parent organizations have resisted change – they are run by parents of older individuals with Ds who aren’t ready to accept the change.

But things have changed. The outlook is more positive. The resources are better, the life span and quality of life is better for all of us – Ds or not. Let’s wave and say YEAH! Let’s wave and show that people with Ds are individuals. We all are. Let’s start within and change our attitudes. Let’s all work together. Together is better. The less time spent changing attitudes within our own organizations the more time can be spent on educating the general public. Let’s stop resisting the greatness and expect it!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:41:31 +0000

So is this the main concern?
“I’m sorry that I’m not getting this across or out properly at all. I DO NOT want to see any children aborted, NOT ONE. I’m wondering what the plan is for all these kids. We ain’t got no plan. WE don’t do it well right now and it looks like the numbers are just going to increase. That’s my concern.”
If this is the real concern then why not find a way to support your concerns. I think we all get frustrated at the system and feel it isn’t treating us fairly. But maybe you aren’t expressing your concerns effectively thus you aren’t getting what you need or feel you deserve. I think that many things are being done well but I also am putting in my share – the resources are there but it is up to us to individualize the resources to the benefit of the individual.
“These Kids” grow up and become adults just like all kids do. Most people don’t have a plan for their children – we wait to see what plan they are interested in. Then we hope to maximize the potential of that child into adulthood giving them the tools and resources needed to follow that plan. I suggest you look more individually at each person and what they have to offer. The only common denominator of people with Ds is the diagnosis of Ds – that is it – each person is an individual with individual interests. We should stop generalizing and start getting creative. I would suggest you spend some time creatively with the person with Ds you care for and get to know them as a person first. Love is the answer and there is enough for every resource – human or expendable. The two should not be lumped together.

By: Opus

Opus — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:10:08 +0000

Scott – I’m in total agreement with you, and yes I’m Bloop, Bloop only had half of his posts go through.

I’m sorry that I’m not getting this across or out properly at all. I DO NOT want to see any children aborted, NOT ONE. I’m wondering what the plan is for all these kids. We ain’t got no plan. WE don’t do it well right now and it looks like the numbers are just going to increase. That’s my concern.

Mandy – “rather than sitting in judgement on people with Down Syndrome, try to ensure your own life is useful.”

I am a caregiver for some one with DS and have been for many years.

By: Heather T

Heather T — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:44:53 +0000

At my prenatal diagnosis, my doctor held a blank expressionless look. He offered no info negative or positive. No pressure to continue our pregnancy nor pressure to terminate. They treated me like any other patient on their case load. I was considered one of their high risk patients and as a matter of routine my care was discussed weekly at their “high risk patients” meeting. Neither he nor his 4 associates ever mentioned DS to me again for the rest of our pregnancy. What they discussed outside of my presence is unknown.