PDA

View Full Version : A lucky kid



Crow
September 2nd 2008, 09:22 AM
Trig Palin is a lucky kid. He has Down's Syndrome. And he is alive.

Approximately 90% of babies diagonosed with Down's during prenatal screening will be aborted. source (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/65500197/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0)

There are laws prohibiting discrimination in housing for the handicapped. There are laws that require accessability. There are programs in place to aid with their medical needs and to help with job training. There are laws in place that mandate that education be made available for these individuals. There seem to be laws that protect them in every way. Every way but one.

Regardless of what I think of his mother's political positions, she and her family have my respect when it comes to how they have welcomed Trig Palin. This tiny scrap of life could have been easily and conveniently snuffed out, but they chose to love him and accept him despite his flaws. He will be a burden in some ways, more difficult to rear than a "perfect" child. His achievements will be small compared to other's.

But he is alive. That makes him one of the fortunate few. He will be able to love and enjoy and grow.

Thank God for those who have the courage and love to raise such a child. There are still a few out there.

And here's Trig Palin, the fortunate son. He doesn't look like someone that society needs to eliminate. He doesn't look dangerous. He isn't perfect. But he's as human as you or I. Does he look like someone who should have been killed to prevent his entrance into this world?

To me, he doesn't look like such a monster.

Pilgrim
September 2nd 2008, 09:41 AM
Spot on that.

Meta Knight
September 2nd 2008, 10:19 AM
I know a family in a similar position. They're most recent child (number 8, if memory serves) was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome, and to the best of my knowledge, the mother was asked if she wanted to abort. She, quite obviously, chose not to.

People who do that sort of thing have my undying respect.

Pilgrim
September 2nd 2008, 10:21 AM
We never even asked for the testing. My wife being in her mid 30's was considered more of a risk for such things so they want to do all these tests poking you and prodding. We said no way because that won't matter to us anyway.

Amazing Rando
September 2nd 2008, 10:30 AM
In India and many other countries, many babies are aborted just because they're girls when the family was praying for a boy.

Prenatal testing is good up to a point in that it allows the expectant family time to make the necessary preparations to bring a child with special needs into the world, but more and more frequently, it's being used as an excuse to kill the child when the family doesn't want to make the sacrifice and extra effort it takes to bring up a child with extra challenges. :sad:

Pilgrim
September 2nd 2008, 10:57 AM
Some of the testing is pretty dangerous to the baby though. And there's nothing you can find out about a downs kid that you can't find out immediately after the birth. The hospital staff and your doctor will know how to deal with any immediate needs.

Crow
September 2nd 2008, 11:25 AM
Prenatal testing can reveal conditions that can be treated medically, or with prenatal surgery, (http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site891/mainpageS891P0.html) saving a child's life, or greatly improving his quality of life or chances for survival. Here's an article about a man whose life was saved while he was still in the womb by prenatal testing and surgery. article (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/05/05/BAGG9CK9F41.DTL)

Info on the benefits of prenatal testing/surgery for some children with spinal bifida. article (http://www.fetalcarecenter.org/fetal-surgery/spina-bifida/)

Prenatal testing is just a tool. It can be used for good or bad.