Re: Suitable topics for this forum / babies with down syndrome part 2
From: lynn (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 31 Oct 2002 11:55:43 -0500
Judi,
God Bless you and your special boy. As I think I said in an earlier post, I
don't think I could be one of those people that could rise to the
challenges. Maybe I'm selfish or not emotionally strong enough, I don't
really know. I admire and commend you, and at the same time, my heart breaks
for you. You're an amazing person.
Lynn
>From: anonymous@obgyn.net (Judi)
>Reply-To: anonymous@obgyn.net
>To: Multiple recipients of list PREGNANCY-BIRTH
><pregnancy-birth@mail.medispecialty.com>
>Subject: Re: Suitable topics for this forum / babies with down syndrome
>part 2
>Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 10:41:49 -0600
>
>Hi Renee--
>I didn't mean to be so aberbic in my posts, I just get touchy about
>this. I don't think there IS a way to convince people to think things
>through any more than they already are. Before having my son, I would
>have been the first person to tell anyone that I was not ready for a
>child with a serious disease. I'm pretty sure I would have chosen to
>terminate the pregnancy, with the full support of the docs and all
>family. What I mean is that only the experience of having the disabled
>or sick child is what can change people's minds-- for better or worse.
>I'm sure you meet a lot of families who rise to the challenge, but how
>many more don't? I think this is the hidden face of families living with
>disabilities, and one of the things that families are sooo reluctant to
>talk about-- that it's a blessing AND a curse. I can't bear to see
>having a disabled child candy-coated, because it just isn't the reality.
>The reality is that there are times you are about to crumble and other
>times when you feel so lucky to have this wonderful, non-cookie cutter
>child. But you can't force that on anyone or expect them to understand
>if they haven't had a personal experience with disabled or sick kids
>(which most people do not).
>
>I am glad you're advocating for and working with disabled children, but
>doing it with pregnant women who are facing amnio testing/results or
>other tests that will change the course of their lives regardless of the
>results just adds to the guilt and stress already present. I don't
>think any woman on here, asking questions, is taking the decision
>lightly.
>
>As for the timing of my son's disease onset, I feel lucky to have had 6
>months of "normal". Some people never have that at all.
>Judi
>
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