Life/Death choices

[KarenCee 3]

i find it interesting the amount of people that would have anm abortion if they found out their kid had one of those diseases, specially the ones that are operable, like cleft lip or palate. Deny a child the right to be born because of that is just plain mean.

Denying a child the right to be born because of one of the diseases listed is in part, IMHO, ignorance on the part of the prospective parent. Ignorance and fear maybe. In some cases, yeah I can see it as mean too. Selfish is maybe a better word.

Yes, while I agree it is ultimately the woman's right to do with her body (and that of her unborn child) what she will, educating yourself beforehand will help you make the decision as to whether or not you even think of conceiving. Having taught children with special needs I can say that most of the Down's children are a joy to be around. Other issues such as the cleft palate...well I think that one has been explained pretty well. If I knew there is a chance my husband or I could pass something horrible onto a child, my husband and I would definitely consult with the proper person and make the decision from that. But to just across the board say to abort because of ANY of the issues listed is IMHO ignorance. And sad.

Just MHO naturally...not to be taken as the absolute "be all" of statements.

[Alex+R 0]

It's hard to know what one would do in these situations. But I'm pretty sure that I would abort in every case except cleft palate. No point in putting more suffering into this world. I also think I'm almost certain I would abort rather than die. I wouldn't die for a fetus, even if I already loved it. That's sort of selfish, IMO, not to think of the people who love you.

Oh, female, USC, pro-choice. (Not anti-choice, which is the proper term for so-called pro-lifers.)

[Alex+R 0]

PS I find it interesting that Downs is the most popular in the last question, considering the amount of suffering the child goes through with Downs is usually not so much.

[KarenCee 3]

Just curious Alex...how much suffering do Down's children actually go through? The ones I've taught over the years did have health issues, but none of them suffered anything horrible. Not trying to be antagonistic at all, just curious.

[Marilyn. 340]

Just curious Alex...how much suffering do Down's children actually go through? The ones I've taught over the years did have health issues, but none of them suffered anything horrible. Not trying to be antagonistic at all, just curious.

I think Alex was misunderstood.. I think she said that Down syndrome children don't go through as much suffering compared to other handicaps, illnesses etc.....

[Nessa 23]

PS I find it interesting that Downs is the most popular in the last question, considering the amount of suffering the child goes through with Downs is usually not so much.

my sister has Down Syndrome. She lives an almost normal life.

She wins swimming competitions. She goes to school like everybpdy else. Of course she looks way younger than she is, she doesn't speak as well, she's behind everybody her age at school, etc.

It is difficult for parents to raise a child with Dawn because she requires constant supervision, she doesn't go places alone, she can't drive, have her own place, have a bf, etc.

But overall, she shows love, she enjoys life, she is extremely happy, happier than most people I know, and that's all that matter.

Just curious Alex...how much suffering do Down's children actually go through? The ones I've taught over the years did have health issues, but none of them suffered anything horrible. Not trying to be antagonistic at all, just curious.

my sister has some health issues. But they're no really serious. Ít's not like she's always sick or suffering.

[KarenCee 3]

Just curious Alex...how much suffering do Down's children actually go through? The ones I've taught over the years did have health issues, but none of them suffered anything horrible. Not trying to be antagonistic at all, just curious.

I think Alex was misunderstood.. I think she said that Down syndrome children don't go through as much suffering compared to other handicaps, illnesses etc.....

Yep, I didn't read that one too well...dang reading glasses.

[Aymerlu 3]

I just remembered a some comments some kids made at a group meeting my son goes too. One boy was asking why people look and stare at him when he does something he cannot help. Then he said "you know all these people that look at me funny could be in an accident one day and have a lot more problems than anybody I know." Good point buddy! Another girl was telling the group how others girls at school would always make fun of her. Her comment to them was "I'm autistic, what's your problem>?" That got a chuckle out of the group!

Most the the conditions listed are genetic and not diseases. Diseases are contagious.....genetic issues are not.

[msu17 0]

Would I abort to save my life? Depends on if I had other kids. If not, then I'd consider going through with the pregnancy. If I did, then I don't think I would continue on with the pregnancy.

I'd abort if my kid had tay sachs or something like anancephaly (I suck at spelling, sorry). If my kid is going to die in-utero or shortly after birth, I'd rather end the pregnancy, grieve then and start trying for another pregnancy.

I'm definitely pro-choice. If we aren't going to provide adequate health care, child care, career training, housing, funding, sex ed, easy access to birth control (see Bush's new abortion definition) or job security to women, how dare we tell her what to do with her uterus. More insurance companies cover viagra than bc. Until ####### like that changes, abortion laws shouldn't either.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

1) Of course I would abort. That is a no-brainer.

2) I am pro-choice.

3) I would choose to abort for pretty much all of those things. Cleft lip is a toss up. It can also be associated with other syndromes. When not, I might keep it.

I would abort also for:

Trisomy 18

Trisomy 13

Triploidy

Anencephaly

Alobar holoprosencephaly

Lethal skeletal dysplasias

Limb-body wall complex

Other amniotic band syndrome related conditions depending

Bilateral renal agenesis

Congenital icthyosis

Not an exhaustive list by any means.