To think a test for downs that is nearly 100% accurate will not result in more terminations

[PlayOnWurtz]

I'm getting increasingly annoyed with Sally Philips at the moment and her insistence testing for downs syndrome is a negative thing and that living with someone with downs syndrome is a wholly positive experience.

Whatever happened to choice? Who is she to lay the guilt trip on people? Why is it seen as shameful to say "I would not be able to raise a person with significant health and learning disabilities" and seen as a negative decision made on a whim rather than a decision made with consideration and thought and heartache?

The point is, no one is saying that if your baby is found to have Down's syndrome, you should have the pregnancy terminated.

It is however a valid option.

Absolutely pro choice and strongly disagree with her. She's very Christian so perhaps that's affecting her views. She needs to stay out of other women's choices about their bodies.

ricepolo it's pretty disingenuous though to ignore the likelihood of learning difficulties, behavioural problems, bowel issues, hearing impairment, thyroid difficulties, cardiac defects, speech difficulties and early onset dementia associated with DS. Some parents would be reluctant to knowingly go into that, including me. I would be mainly concerned about the likely need for life long supported living, especially after I died.

A woman considering a termination is not accountable to disability awareness groups. A SP going to personally pay for all children with DS to have their own personal nanny, like she did?

A severe cardiac impairment requiring surgery would affect all of my children's lives, simply by me not being there.I would love a child with DS with all my heart but for me it wouldn't be the right decision.

Sally's views are her views: what concerns me is the air time they are getting.

I'm pro choice ..and absolutely believe this test will result in an increase in terminations..
I have a gorgeous niece with DS....and see how hard it is for my sister, BIL and nephew..I know if I were to have another baby I would have the test and would terminate.

If you look at twitter you'd think the NHS were bringing in a eugenics programme not a safer and earlier version of existing screening systems.

You'd also think the only people with ds were high functioning, had no health issues and all lived in comfortable middle class families...

She lost me when she compared people with DS to dodos.

Well that was a one sided bias account if I have seen one.

I don't think anyone can judge another person regarding their personal choices during their pregnancy - people make thier choice for many different reasons depending on their own circumstances. I don't think an opinionated over paid "celebrity" who was only portraying the "good side" can judge people - yes many people with Down's syndrome lead a very happy life - but on the other hand there are many who don't. I don't think Sally presenting skills were great- I thought she came across trying to make people who made personal choices feel guilty - this is not going to help people make informed choices for the future.

As a parent of 2 dc with ASD & ADHD i have to ssy the reality of having a child with SEND is absolutely gruelling.

The inept health services & failing diagnostic systems. The ever decreasing welfare system. The constant fight for the most basic education services. No restpite, no playschemes left, no drop in centres...

The reality is if I had known my ds's were Autistic, I wouldn't have continued with the pregnancy.

I know people will feel uncomfortable reading my post but the reality of having a child with any SEND, in 2016 in the Uk is awful.

I agree that care for an adult with Downs syndrome is more problematic, in certain cases, than that of a child with the condition. But we as a society should be doing more to look after our most vulnerable.

I didnt see the programme. Im pro choice im also childfree by choice.

Going by this thread alone it seems to me that this is emotional blackmail being aimed at women by yet another celebrity who doesnt check their privilege.

But its less Strickingclock especially in the last 2/3 years services just no longer exist.
Noone cares about disabled kids.
I'm about to lose both of my ds school transport. They are both in Special Schools!

YY Nanna I wonder how many of those welfare petitions Sally Philips has signed.

We should, but resources aren't limitless and the lions share will always unfortunately fall onto carers and loved ones.

Peppa

Your post doesn't make me uncomfortable. It was brave and it was honest.

I complained to the BBC about the program with slim hopes they will put out something debating the other side.

Jessica as it should do. Family should always do the lions share of care with appropriate input from social and healthcare. Not the other way round.

That's appalling Peppasnanna. I think we are making the same point. I live in a country where the provision is not perfect but much better than the UK. It doesn't have to be this way.

Absolutely, which is why it is they who should make the decision about whether to continue with the pregnancy or not.

I expect that raising a child with DS is considerably more comfortable in your naice, MC north London home, with a full time nanny on hand, yes?

I think SP 'protests too much' about the myriad joys having a child with DS brings. My first BF's sister had DS, I saw how it affected his family over a period of years. No, thanks.

Im not just talking about care.
What about education?
The reality is noth my ds were 7 before they went to school full time. My oldest ds is 11 should be in Yr 7 but is still in Yr 6 as there is no school in this borough or the surrounding boroughs that will take him.

Health care? My younger ds has chronic anxiety Camhs won't even see him.

My older ds has ADHD. Hes medicated, we've never been offered any other help.

Playscheme costs £400 per week per dc.
Play you have no idea...

Do I not? Ok.

As in every family i meet do the majority of the care as there is no alternative.

I have just seen the film and it's great for its positive portrayal of Downs. However there wasn't any footage of babies in intensive care/ parents whose DS child had died or even parents who are just plain struggling to cope. And the interview with the mum who did terminate her DS foetus was very uncomfortable - hope she doesn't get hate mail. It was one hour of prime time telly! There are so many more sides to this. I will also be complaining to the BBC.

I think the problem as well is that there's a very simplistic view often portrayed about people with disabilities in the community. The narrative is that, after some initial trepidation, their child opens their eyes, changes their outlook and enriches their world. This view is embraced by society until the child goes through puberty and has sexual desires at which point everyone becomes uncomfortable again.

We're reluctant to hear people like Katie Price talking about her son's profound disabilities and how she would have terminated. There should be more discussion about children with disabilities and an appreciation of the views between "the best thing ever" and "OMG is is shit". And, like peppas, the OMG this is shit view needs to be given recognition and acknowledgement. It's all very well to talk about children with disabilities enriching society but society provides fuck all support for them.