Have you guys spent much time around people with Down’s syndrome? It’s typically not a uniform “life of suffering” like what many comments seem to be assuming.
It’s fair enough to try to imagine how you would feel if you had a certain disability, but never assume you’re right about that, you might be surprised. Especially with intellectual differences, I don’t think you can really know what it would be like to be that person.
My SO brother doesn’t have downs but was severe brain damaged at at young age. His whole family doesnt hate him they just wish he was better. After grandma died he lost the last person that really loved him for who he is. Everyone dreads is presence and dealing with his backpack of medication or fits of dangerous rage due to frustration understanding things from a bloke 2x their size (literally 2 meters tall).
I spoke to him enough to know he is not happy in state care but no one can handle him when things go wrong. He is a effectively 5 year old child stuck and unable to grow and alone with only his handlers. No one should have that fate if its preventable.
Yes, in my experience, aquired brain injury is one of the hardest things for people (and their families) to adapt to, but that’s a whole different kettle of fish than Down’s syndrome.
The post talks about the ethics of pre-emptively aborting a fetus that has a high likelihood of "severe downs syndrome ", and this is something many people face irl ask the time. my point is (mainly) that people with Down’s syndrome can have a lot of joy in their lives, and bring a lot of joy to those around them, despite the fact that they will face certain struggles (as so many of us do, in our own ways). And (secondly), although it’s outside the scope of the hypothetical situation in the op, foetal tests for Down’s syndrome are notoriously unreliable.
I’m just saying don’t be afraid. Most new parents want to avoid any chance of anything ‘wrong’ with their child, but nearly everyone has something…
Source: have worked with children and adults with a variety of physical and intellectual disabilities, and in my own friends and family know (and care for) a multitude of neurodiverse people and those with chronic mental illness or addictions.
Have you guys spent much time around people with Down’s syndrome? It’s typically not a uniform “life of suffering” like what many comments seem to be assuming.
It’s fair enough to try to imagine how you would feel if you had a certain disability, but never assume you’re right about that, you might be surprised. Especially with intellectual differences, I don’t think you can really know what it would be like to be that person.
My SO brother doesn’t have downs but was severe brain damaged at at young age. His whole family doesnt hate him they just wish he was better. After grandma died he lost the last person that really loved him for who he is. Everyone dreads is presence and dealing with his backpack of medication or fits of dangerous rage due to frustration understanding things from a bloke 2x their size (literally 2 meters tall).
I spoke to him enough to know he is not happy in state care but no one can handle him when things go wrong. He is a effectively 5 year old child stuck and unable to grow and alone with only his handlers. No one should have that fate if its preventable.
Yes, in my experience, aquired brain injury is one of the hardest things for people (and their families) to adapt to, but that’s a whole different kettle of fish than Down’s syndrome.
The post talks about the ethics of pre-emptively aborting a fetus that has a high likelihood of "severe downs syndrome ", and this is something many people face irl ask the time. my point is (mainly) that people with Down’s syndrome can have a lot of joy in their lives, and bring a lot of joy to those around them, despite the fact that they will face certain struggles (as so many of us do, in our own ways). And (secondly), although it’s outside the scope of the hypothetical situation in the op, foetal tests for Down’s syndrome are notoriously unreliable.
I’m just saying don’t be afraid. Most new parents want to avoid any chance of anything ‘wrong’ with their child, but nearly everyone has something…
Source: have worked with children and adults with a variety of physical and intellectual disabilities, and in my own friends and family know (and care for) a multitude of neurodiverse people and those with chronic mental illness or addictions.