tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post2774552335277769014..comments2023-10-09T06:21:41.858-04:00Comments on Barriers, Bridges and Books: No Drive Through Life and Wrongful BirthTerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-5288787583752308472009-07-05T20:00:24.079-04:002009-07-05T20:00:24.079-04:00This post really gave me some food for thought. As...This post really gave me some food for thought. As I grew up dealing with the consequences of having survived an early tangle with shunted hydrocephalus, I remember being asked on more than one occasion something along the lines of, "What would you do if you were pregnant and found out the baby had hydrocephalus?" I'm sure they all expected the answer to be something like, "Have a therapeutic abortion", but they didn't realize how repulsive that whole concept was to me, particularly since if it had been left solely up to the doctors, I would not be alive to write this comment. (Doesn't matter much to me whether you're inside the uterus or outside, the principles are similar.) Usually my response was something like, "After I got up off the floor and recovered from the total shock, I'd tell them to keep careful watch over it and then if the baby survived birth, operate. No question." Sometimes they looked at me like I had two heads. (No, just one with some funky ventricles, LOL!) <br /><br />Similar rules would apply to something like DS as well; DS children who don't have serious congenital heart defects or digestive malformations can be generally as healthy as "normal" kids, and I don't see DS in and of itself as a reason for an automatic termination of a pregnancy. "Wrongful birth" is a horrific, misguided concept that should have no legal standing and certainly should not result in multimillion dollar winnings for parents of children with disabilities. Just my two cents as someone who was once such a child.<br /><br />That's why I return...your posts always make me think! (Though there are times when I need to STOP thinking, actually...but perhaps that's a post for my own blog!)thecatsmeowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16269681849332498912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-16859280175543346122009-06-19T11:23:21.279-04:002009-06-19T11:23:21.279-04:00Barbara (therextras), I am worried for that family...Barbara (therextras), I am worried for that family and don't think money is the biggest thing they need... And I agree, the issue of cost is interesting. Every kid with interests, goes to college, has a health issue or accident, or (on the other side of things) has a brush with the law, costs. Life can't be controlled for cost, nor should it be if you ask me.<br /><br />I know, cripchick! :) :) :)<br /><br />I agree, Jackie, while will surprise you and demand growth from you in many ways, every child is indeed a gift.Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-49530811696731777932009-06-19T10:27:05.347-04:002009-06-19T10:27:05.347-04:00An eye opening post, and I also feel saddened for ...An eye opening post, and I also feel saddened for the family of the child who is pursuing the lawsuit. Every child is a gift.Jackie @ EasyStandhttp://blog.easystand.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-80625097299543796062009-06-18T19:00:03.598-04:002009-06-18T19:00:03.598-04:00"'How do people not get it?? I actually f..."'How do people not get it?? I actually feel sorry for families who DON'T have a kid with Down syndrome!'"<br /><br />:) :) :)cripchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01921991456026214435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-64029941055322383052009-06-18T16:14:38.189-04:002009-06-18T16:14:38.189-04:00Any chance that someone in OR will report the pare...Any chance that someone in OR will report the parents to CPS for stating they don't want their child? <br /><br />Physically ill is how it makes me feel, too. I hope that story gets out into the DS network, Terri. <br /><br />The comparison of expense is very interesting and worth more blog posts, please. Most people are sympathetic to parents who state that expense/insurance dictates whether their children get a particular treatment. I like the Irish dancing and college comparison. <br />BarbaraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-33039600959098741442009-06-17T09:21:02.463-04:002009-06-17T09:21:02.463-04:00I agree, datri, though Ruth at Wheelie Catholic po...I agree, datri, though Ruth at Wheelie Catholic points out that some disabilities are more expensive than others. My daughter with Down syndrome is not my most expensive child because she is not an Irish dancer and has not gone to college--yet. :) Also because she has been pretty healthy and services in our area are pretty decent--we would PAY if they were not (though $14 million, really?)<br /><br />I agree, rickismom, this journey has been unexpectedly awesome... Glad I'm here (and glad you are too!)Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-85039551374883032972009-06-16T19:16:34.632-04:002009-06-16T19:16:34.632-04:00I always thought (despite my MIL's dire warnin...I always thought (despite my MIL's dire warnings that if I would continue childbearing, I would get a child with DS)that G-d would not give me a child with DS, because I "couldn't" handle a child with Mental impairment, only physical.<br /> Well, THANK G-D , HE gave me the strength I needed right there on the delivery table. My first thought was :<br />"G-d, HOW could you do that to me and let my MIL be correct?!??<br /><br />My second thought was: "We have done no sin, and we will LOVE and be HAPPY with HER. " (Ricki's real name means "happiness " and "prayer" in Hebrew.)<br /><br /> I know that I would not have chosen this path initially, but I shudder to think how poor my live would have been without this "journey".rickismomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07817042750959998664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-85065742895414531272009-06-16T18:18:12.391-04:002009-06-16T18:18:12.391-04:00The thing that irritates me the most is the $14 mi...The thing that irritates me the most is the $14 million. It just perpetuates the myth that having a child with a disability will bankrupt you. I know that this was a major concern when Kayla was born. Kayla doesn't cost more than the typical kid. And if they were so horrified by this child when she was born they should have just put her up for adoption.datrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11780816487520416497noreply@blogger.com