Read other letters about this article

• Wednesday, May 9, 2007 12:15 PM

  What about *your* kid - Down's vs not?

  If you had a choice between a healthy kid or a kid with Down's...everyone here raise your hand if you opt for the Down's.

  I'll take a wild guess and say that I'm not seeing any hands. So easy for you to say others should or should not do this or that, but when you're confront with the question - you're faced with a test result that says your kid on that picture there - has a high chance of Down's Syndrome. I wonder how many of you truly realize the enormous amount of care and effort which goes into caring for one with the defect. This means lifelong care, with a slim chance of you being able to kiss the kid goodbye when he/she is in his/her twenties, ready to tackle the world on his or her own.

  Seriously consider the huge differences between caring for a normal, healthy kid versus one with Down's. It is not the same. You will not be seeing the Down's kid hitting the same mental milestones as the healthy one. You will not be hearing the same teenage daughter angst over picking these shoes or those heels, and agonizing over her safety on her first date.

  Instead with the Down's kid you'll be doing the same sort of lifelong care that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Will be wishing that kid was normal? Maybe, Maybe not. Will that Down's kid have the same career opportunities? The same choices? The same kind of future available to him/her?

  These are the things you really gotta consider when you stare at that photo and figure what your next course of action, or inaction.

  —d0k0night Read d0k0night's other letters
  Permalink
  Flag
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel