> This article points out the rather morbid fact that 90% of down syndrome pregnancies are aborted. [...] I guess this is standard practice, which is kind of sad, since those with Down Syndrome can live fulfilling lives.
I get what you're saying when you mention living a fulfilling life, but there is an impact to others as well. A couple I know decided to have one last child late, and unfortunately had a Down Syndrome pregnancy. Abortion was out of the question for religious reasons. They took joy in the pregnancy, and approached it with lots of motivation. Early on, they got a lot out of the simple joys of raising their Down Syndrome child, which others in this discussion have referenced. However it became more of a problem over time. There is a spectrum of functionality for those afflicted with Down Syndrome and some children have the capability to be more independent, or more manageable, while others don't.
In this case, although things started off well, it became apparent that the child would never be functional enough to be independent in any way, despite lots of efforts and investment from the parents. The situation created large stresses and constraints on the family - the parents, the siblings, their friends, etc. It changed what activities they could hold as a family, what social functions they were invited to, where they could live, and so on. Ultimately it destroyed their marriage and has created a lot of complications for them now, in terms of taking care of their now adult child.
My exposure to this basically confirmed that I would choose abortion if faced with the same situation, as the burden created on others' lives is simply too much.
I get what you're saying when you mention living a fulfilling life, but there is an impact to others as well. A couple I know decided to have one last child late, and unfortunately had a Down Syndrome pregnancy. Abortion was out of the question for religious reasons. They took joy in the pregnancy, and approached it with lots of motivation. Early on, they got a lot out of the simple joys of raising their Down Syndrome child, which others in this discussion have referenced. However it became more of a problem over time. There is a spectrum of functionality for those afflicted with Down Syndrome and some children have the capability to be more independent, or more manageable, while others don't.
In this case, although things started off well, it became apparent that the child would never be functional enough to be independent in any way, despite lots of efforts and investment from the parents. The situation created large stresses and constraints on the family - the parents, the siblings, their friends, etc. It changed what activities they could hold as a family, what social functions they were invited to, where they could live, and so on. Ultimately it destroyed their marriage and has created a lot of complications for them now, in terms of taking care of their now adult child.
My exposure to this basically confirmed that I would choose abortion if faced with the same situation, as the burden created on others' lives is simply too much.