first you have to define defect

My daughter was born with Down Syndrome. It's funny, but had I known about it while still in the womb, I could possibly have said, "what kind of quality of life would she have?", "she can never be independent", etc... I now realize one more question that should be asked - "who the fuck am I to decide what a "decent quality of life" is?" (not in any way directed toward you Box, just making my point - I know what your post is about).

My daughter, Elise, is a happy, healthy child. She loves life. She may never be totally independent, but there are no guarantees when you bring a child home from the hospital. There is the broken car glass that can change it all. There is mental illness which doesn't show up until the late teens, etc...

I don't necessarily know how I stand on the abortion issue. If you believe a fetus is a "human being", then it is murder. If you believe the fetus is not then it is a medical procedure. I don't know where I stand on this issue. What I do know, is that hypocrisy exists when "pro-lifers" assuage their guilt by choosing to abort babies based on amnio/"whatkindofqualityoflife" excuses. It's hard as hell to raise a kid, let alone a special needs kid. I know. I know.

Aside, as per my daughter, Elise. If she is representative of what Down syndrome is, more parents should aspire to have Down syndrome children. Seriously. She is an absolute joy. I couldn't be more proud to be her father.

Post #161,054 by boxley 6/22/04 2:05:21 PM Reply	first you have to define defect The amniotic check on my daughter showed a potential for downs syndrome, I wouldnt voice my opinion to anyone, my wife said G_d's will. She was born healthy with no downes. thanx, bill Anchorage AK: House for sale 3 bed 1 bath 1440 sq feet huge lot near Cheney Lake 175K FSBO 813.273.3518 I wondered what Darwinian moment had to effect itself before we devolved from children flying paper flags in the sky to half formed creatures thundering in a wall of horns down the road to Roncevaux. James Lee Burke questions, help? [link\|mailto:pappas@catholic.org\|email pappas at catholic.org]
Post #161,055 by JayMehaffey 6/22/04 2:10:01 PM Reply	Not 100% accurate That few of these tests are 100% accurate is a secondary issue, but it does play in here. There is a big difference between knowning your fetus has a higher then normal chance of something, knowing it has a 90% chance of something and knowing it has a 99.99% chance of something. Jay
Post #161,278 by danreck 6/23/04 5:38:40 PM Reply	Re: first you have to define defect My daughter was born with Down Syndrome. It's funny, but had I known about it while still in the womb, I could possibly have said, "what kind of quality of life would she have?", "she can never be independent", etc... I now realize one more question that should be asked - "who the fuck am I to decide what a "decent quality of life" is?" (not in any way directed toward you Box, just making my point - I know what your post is about). My daughter, Elise, is a happy, healthy child. She loves life. She may never be totally independent, but there are no guarantees when you bring a child home from the hospital. There is the broken car glass that can change it all. There is mental illness which doesn't show up until the late teens, etc... I don't necessarily know how I stand on the abortion issue. If you believe a fetus is a "human being", then it is murder. If you believe the fetus is not then it is a medical procedure. I don't know where I stand on this issue. What I do know, is that hypocrisy exists when "pro-lifers" assuage their guilt by choosing to abort babies based on amnio/"whatkindofqualityoflife" excuses. It's hard as hell to raise a kid, let alone a special needs kid. I know. I know. Aside, as per my daughter, Elise. If she is representative of what Down syndrome is, more parents should aspire to have Down syndrome children. Seriously. She is an absolute joy. I couldn't be more proud to be her father. Just a few thoughts, Danno

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