Wow, I think the tone of this thread is eye opening. It's exactly what families of people with ds are trying to stand up and change- to urge you to put your outdated and narrow interpretations of down syndrome aside, and realise we are living in fast paced world where today the majority of children down syndrome are nothing like the picture you above are painting.
But people are so far up on their high horses about a woman's right to test and right to choose control over their bodies, that very very few actually got any of the message from that documentary.
I don't see anyone, anywhere, who wants to limit a woman's right over her own body.
So can we please put the pro-choice versus pro-life debate to one side, and assume, for argument's sake, that we all agree women should have the right to choose whether to terminate or now. Testing is invaluable. Choice is invaluable, without a doubt.
But let's focus for a minute on what the actual thrust of the debate should be- whether appropriate information is given out to women if they receive a prenatal diagnosis of down syndrome. What they choose to do with the information is their own business.
The argument is that this information will weigh heavily towards urging women to terminate solely on old fashioned, negative and narrow perception of what life with down syndrome is actually like. (quite like what some of you above seem to believe life is really like).
Of course the documentary showed how normal and great Sally's life with her son is, because, guess what, the majority of families I know with children with ds, is bloody normal and great.
Mine included- My darling 13 month old ray of sunshine has ds. She is the gem that is loved by her two older siblings and her parents. She is the exact same as her siblings were at her age. And while she will have a learning disability of some degree, at the moment she's got the staff at her creche (shock horror, we actually can work and have a baby with ds), wrapped around her little finger.
She may not always be this cute, (thanks for pointing that out btw) but neither will my two other 'typical' children either probably. She may or may not live independently. But if she needs to be cared for, then we (her family) will care for her. Because that's what family of loved ones do. Do her siblings think she will be a burden? Well you should be lucky enough to see them together. The love they have for each other. If your typical child develops an illness that means they might need full time care- will you view them as a burden?
Yes some babies (not all) with ds will have heart defects, the majority of whom have heart surgery at a few months old, and go on to lead healthy lives. Some will have thyroid issues (so will need medication to control it)- is this any different to if your typical child develops epilepsy? Or adhd? Or depression? Are they a burden?
And yes, I am horrified by this thread. For it bears no reality to the life I am living. Nor that of the families of children with ds in my social circle. None of whom are wealthy, most of whom for the most part, hold down regular jobs and lead regular every day lives.
Well done Sally P. You played a blinder. Unfortunately, your message is probably only appreciated by those lucky enough to know what you're talking about. Every one else, thinks you;re privileged, or that we're all deluded.
I take comfort in the fact that I, and my family, are the lucky ones, to have our wee dote in our lives. If I had listened to the medical advice or gloomy diagnosis she wouldn't be. I'd be poorer for the love she brought our family. Now, that would be a real tragedy.
But it's probably easier to focus on the pro life versus pro choice argument, than see how superficial our society has really come. Where we strive for perfection and don't realise love and the people in our lives is all that matters.