Intellectual activism in defense of the American way of life.
On Down Syndrome and other self-inflicted tragedies
Earlier this week Salon published an article about a mother dealing with an adult Autistic son, who’s out of control violence led her to desperate measures. Her story reminded me of the angry responses I’ve received whenever I’ve written against Down syndrome.
Dozens of parents have responded to each post, claiming to have adorable little children with Down’s. (The context to keep in mind here is that Down syndrome is now an optional illness, now that safe and effective testing is available for all mothers in the developed world.) Yet, I haven’t received a single comment from parents of adults with Down syndrome. Where are all the adorable little adults with Down syndrome?
I suspect there are three reasons why I haven’t seen their comments.
First, many of their children died prematurely due to the many health complications of Down Syndrome. (See previous posts for details.)
Second, many children have grown up to become severely disabled adults, and are living in mental institutions at taxpayer expense – or sometimes, in homeless shelters or on the streets.
Third, the minority of parents whose children survived to adulthood and who remained committed to taking care of them on their own know that their adorable babies turned into incomprehensible, obstinate, sullen, capricious, and sometimes very violent adults. Their mental illness makes the world an incomprehensible place to them, and their unpredictable behavior makes them bewildering to their caretakers.
Have you ever noticed the ratio of mentally disabled children to that of mentally disabled adults in social situations? The apparent disparity goes beyond their lower life expectancy. I suspect that the surviving retarded children grow into retarded adults, fundamentally unable to deal with civilized life, and hidden away in homes and institution and highway underpasses.
My point is that human disabilities, mental and physical, are a tragedy to be avoided at all costs, not something to be accepted as unavoidable fate, or worse, to be cherished for their uniqueness. They ought to be screened, aborted, and engineered out of the human race as soon as medically and technologically possible. If this is obvious to you, great. Unfortunately, inexplicably, even rational people whom I respect differ with me on this issue. The only proper response for parents who make such choices ought to be moral condemnation: if they have chosen to have crippled children, they ought to condemned, and all the pain, frustration, violence, and expense caused by their choice ought to be placed squarely on the parents.
(In response to the inevitable comments, I must emphasize that the condemnation extends only to the parents. Like all human beings, the victims of their parents’ choice ought to be cherished, and every effort should be made to integrate them into society and make them productive adults.)
One last observation: I’ve already written how many parents who choose to have Down children treat them as religious icons when they are small. When they grow large, how many of them treat them as pets that have grown too large to keep in the house, and delegate them to a locked basement, or a mental institution?
Update: Thanks to everyone for their comments. Rather than trying to respond to individual comments, I have summarized my response here: The One Minute Case for Designer Babies. Many of the other comments address abortion and eugenics. I responded to those arguments in this post.
Print article | This entry was posted by David Veksler on 3/28/2009 at 12:27 am, and is filed under General. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
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about 1 year ago
I read your post and was curious what was behind your perspective toward people with disabilities. It made a little more sense, though, when I saw in your bio you were born in Ukraine. That is very interesting. I would like to challenge you to consider the fact that you may have brought your birth country’s ideas with you and have not given much consideration to an American perspective. As you probably already know, in Ukraine almost everyone who has a special need is placed in an institution and separated from the rest of society. It used to be the same here in the United States but in the last few decades many have come to realize that even those with challenges still have much to offer the world. We see their value. I would encourage you to spend some time with people who have special needs – perhaps at your local Goodwill Industries – and really spend that time with an open mind and heart. There is so much good and so much value even in those people who may not have typical abilities. Are they perfect? Of course not! Do they have challenges? Absolutely. But that is true for every person on the planet. We all have things that make us loveable and things that those around us have to overlook because they like us the rest of the time.
I can tell that you are someone who likes to think outside the box and to challenge the accepted wisdom. I am just asking that you consider also challenging this mindset that came from your past culture and give due consideration to the perspective embraced by many in your adopted country.
about 1 year ago
I was linked to this post by Rachel. I, like Rachel, can see how your perspective is colored by the fact that you are Ukrainian. This is to say that the United States offers many more opportunities for all individuals. I suspect that is why you are here yourself.
I am the mother of 5 sons with Down syndrome. My 2 oldest are now 22 years and 19. They are very much part of their community. There are jobs and sports teams, church worship, friends, volunteering to read at a hospice and girlfriends. They are responsible and contributing members of their community.
My sons have many challenges in life, as do we all. They work harder to accomplish everyday tasks than most. Medical issues are more complicated.
Life in the US, for individuals with disabilities, has not always been that different from in other countries. The United States, as a county and society has had to learn where and how we all are valuable and able to contribute. We still have so far to go in this area.
I believe in the sanctity of life. I cannot judge who should or shouldn’t live, whose life is of value. I can, however, educate and work to assist parents, educators, community members and others in their understanding of the possibilities that we all have.
I, like my parents, and all parents wish for my children to grow and thrive. I wish for them to reach their potential, to be happy and live graciously in life. I believe they are doing these things.
I have the opportunity to work with orphanages in Eastern Europe and I can tell you, albeit slowly, perspectives are changing there. Orphanage Directors are interested in learning and improving conditions for all their children. Parents are beginning to establish support groups and see the potential of their children.
Life is a never-ending educational experience and I believe you, as well, have much to learn. I hope that you can find it in your heart and mind to look beyond what you see on the surface, to contact community groups, to meet and get to know adults with Down syndrome. The next time you see someone with Down syndrome, stop, talk to them as you would anyone you first meet. First and foremost we are individuals and no two of us are alike. As a parent, I can say all my 5 sons have very different personalities, challenges, and desires. They are far from perfect as is their mother and was their father.
I would be happy to introduce my sons to you and talk with you, to introduce you to other parents, employers, educators, and adults with Down syndrome in the community.
about 1 year ago
You are the dumbest person in the world-I can hardly believe I am wasting my time writing to you. But, please know we adopted a child with extra chromosomes on purpose! I think that says everything right there! Every adult I know with Ds (probably at least 20) are way better functioning than you and contribute to society way better than you too! And, not one of these adults is hidden away. I just wish there was a prenatal test for people like you and extermination could happen to those who test positive
about 1 year ago
I am shocked that anyone would say that children with disabilities should be aborted. If they lived through the gestation and birth process I’d say it is God’s will that they are alive and that most likely we can learn something from their being in this world. No one will act perfectly or think perfectly but these people with Ds can contribute so much to our lives if we get to know them. There are Ds and autistic people at our local grocery store and I LOVE seeing them when I go and speaking to them. They make my day BETTER just by being themselves AS THEY ARE.
about 1 year ago
David:
I am sorry you have been indoctrinated about the lack of human values you learned from your previous country of birth. I am sorry you feel the way you do because it tells me a lot about you, none that is overly positive my friend. You have a lot to learn in this world and getting rid of people who do not live up to your expectations is no place to start. Your thinking goes right along with Nazism and I’m sure your parents and grandparents can you tell a lot about that. Time to think outside the box and get a grip. This is the 21st. century, not the early 20th century where all of those old mindsets belong. I hope you are not planning on having any children, for they will bring you and your type nothing but misery. No one on this planet will ever know what is in store for our children. They may start out perfect, but then end up becoming drug addled, thieves, liars or murderers– or acquire mentally and physically deficiencies due to physical traumas. Please…do not have any children until you can with good conscience understand that nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is guaranteed in this life.
about 1 year ago
David,
Wow, I have to admit that I thought that once Ukrainians came to the United States and embraced our culture that they would have left their outdated, soviet union ideas behind. I guess not. I have been to Ukraine to do Humanitarian Aide work with orphanages where your Ukrainian people throw not just their disabled children, but their perfectly healthy, typical children as well. While the Ukrainian people are a very beautiful people and I met many that I genuinely like, I was shocked at how many lived. So, should I degrade the Ukrainian people for their lack of money or their lack or luxuries? Should I degrade them for their open toilets, their lack of hygeine? People are all raised a certain way and live a certain way. I am sure that your parents came to America for a better life. We are a very accepting culture. I wish that you would spend some time with people with disabilities before judging them. I hope to someday go back to Ukraine and bring home 2 children with *gasp* Down Syndrome. Am I motivated by religion? No. I am motivated by what my heart tells me. I love all people, even people like you who hate others. You are a very educated person and I guess that is what surprises me so much. I live in Texas as well and while I am happy to have a very intelligent and educated person here, I worry that you may spread your ignorance about disabilities to someone who isn’t quite as intelligent as yourself. Why does your being so intelligent and educated surprise me? Well, because you sound like some kind of back woods moron with a 1st grade education when you talk about people with disabilities. Learn David, you are a smart man- Please learn more about people with disabilities before doing this to them.
Christy
about 1 year ago
I am sister to a young man (26 yrs. old)with Ds. I would not change having him in my life for anything in the world. He is an inspiration to me, and I have adopted a child of my own with Ds as a result of having my brother in my life. My sister has done the same. She and I often argue who will have the HONOR of having our brother live with them when and if my parents are no longer able to have him at home. When a precious little child grows up (Ds or not), they remain the same person. Perhaps you are in the wrong circles to see people with disabilities in the community. They are there.
I hope you are able to see the value some day of every life, despite the abilities that one has. The person in my life that I have learned the most from, and been the most affected by is my brother. If only you had the joy of having someone like him in your life.
about 1 year ago
Isn’t this the hateful garbage we heard in 1939 Germany? The Nazis started with the physically and mentally disabled because it was easy justify their extermination as being beneficial to the society and a mercy to the ones they persecuted. I hope that you and all of your family are blonde, blue eyed, over six foot tall with an IQ above 120 and able to run a pentathalon if anyone else with your beliefs rises to power or you may be rounded up and marched into the showers.
about 1 year ago
It’s called Eugenics, and your outdated world view died with Adolph Hitler. Lest you think i am offended, I am not. That would be like being offended by a clown at a circus or monkey at a zoo.I hesitate to blame your ignorance on your nation of origin like some of the previous posters, as your stupidity could be attributed to several factors. The main one being depravity, while a close second could be arrogance. At any rate, my name is Dan Kulp and I am the proud sibling to 4 brothers and sisters who have Down syndrome.Three are in their forties and one is 39 years old. Sorry to tell you that they are productive members of society who have enriched their communities and brightened the lives of most people around them. My wife and I recently adopted our own child and, you guessed it, he has the extra chromosome. By the way, we are awaiting our second from China who, additionally, has Ds. We have been told that our current son is the first child ever to let out of china with Ds. Sorry fella, the world is changing and not in the Utopian, 3rd Reich manner of which you exist. If ever you wish to debate the value of life and the failure of Darwinian evolution, well, you have my info. Are you up to the challenge? or are you a coward as i suspect. Frankly, i am pleased to have someone like you on the web as a useful idiot, to show the rest of the sane world what ancient relics truly look like.
about 1 year ago
Opinions are opinions, and free speech is free speech. But when you say you haven’t heard from a single parent of an adult with Down–and there is a posting big as life from the mother of not one but two adult sons with the syndrome–it makes one wonder.
about 1 year ago
A person is a person no matter what – killing is murder no matter what – killing those with down syndrome and other mental diseases is still wrong.
about 1 year ago
Well, my daughter isn’t an adult yet. She’ll be turning 13 in a couple of months. But, I can’t imagine that the day she turns 18 she would suddenly collapse, loose all her functioning abilities, and require institutionalization! (which, in the US. is quite rare!!!) My daughter is VERY active! She can’t wait until she’s old enough to have a job, and her goal this week is to be a hostess at Applebees. Last week she wanted to be a veterinarian. She swims, she plays softball, she competes in track and field. She actively participates in a theater group where she is the only person with a disability and is not given (nor does she need) any special accommodations. And, to put it into perspective, all her friends who have DS are at, or above her level. She is very “average” when it comes to tweens who have DS. I’m sorry that your country of birth has given you a twisted understanding of what it means to raise a child who has Down syndrome. I think you should go spend a day at a special olympics event and see what you’re missing!
about 1 year ago
Spot on David.
Choosing to create a diseased child is an awful and immoral action.
Abortion is not eugenics, to those trying to draw hollow parallels to the Nazis, a human embryo is not a person. It is also important to note there are no political statements in this post, no suggestions to abort diseased pregnancies by force or government intervention.
It is unbelievable cruelty that people could put children in the position of having Down Syndrome.
about 1 year ago
David
First you compare people like Sarah Palin bring trig into the world to rapists, because he had down syndrome, and now you add,
“My point is that human disabilities, mental and physical, are a tragedy to be avoided at all costs, not something to be accepted as unavoidable fate, or worse, to be cherished for their uniqueness.”
So should we force mothers who are about to give to such children into having abortions against there will, regardless of their conscious? Are you going to support forced abortions? Something even your some of your fellow objectivists have openly opposed? Based on your disturbed way of thinking we could easily justify that and once we have, where will it stop? Would you support a Chinese style one child per family policy?
Plus what about people like Steven Hawking? People can do a lot of good in spite of any learning, or physical disability.
about 1 year ago
Let me repeat the first part of my question since I left a word out.
“So should we force mothers who are about to give birth to such children into having abortions against there will, regardless of their conscious?”
about 1 year ago
Roberto…. first of all, any tests that would be done to detect abnormalities are not done on an EMBRYO. You have no idea of what you speak. Tests are done further along into gestation when brain waves are present and babies would feel the pain of being MURDERED for convenience. Barbaric.
David, I’m very sorry that you have such a sad and twisted view of the world. There are clearly some personal injuries to your heart and psyche that occurred at a very formative time when empathy and compassion are instilled in a person. Do you realize that some people cherish and honor the fact that the self-sacrifice and adversity which comes with caring for handicapped children actually enriches their lives?
about 1 year ago
You are a very sick, selfish person. Too bad there aren’t prenatal screenings for jackass, so your mother could have known the type of adult you would turn out to be and abort your ass before it was too late.
about 1 year ago
Our family just adopted a little 2 year old boy from Ukraine. I can’t help but see the similarities to the way of thinking most have there right now (similar to what it was like here in the US 50 years ago). May God help your soul because right now, as a biological mother of a child with Down Syndrome, I feel sorry for you that you haven’t opened your eyes or heart. Your time will come, like everyone else, where you are judged and I hope before then, that you come to terms to what you have said.
about 1 year ago
May God have mercy on your soul,but then I question if you have one.There is an eternal payday but better yet,there is a GOD who is rich in mercy and grace and one day you will face HIM and your words will grieve you..I pray that Divine Mercy and Grace will change your deceived heart and mind because ALL have worth and value in GOD`s sight,even YOU..Be assured you are being prayed for and one day you`ll come to the truth!
about 1 year ago
You’re an IDIOT!
about 1 year ago
WOW. Where have you been hiding your head all these years?!? Yes, I do think you being Ukrainian must play into your misguided thought pattern. First all…”preventable?” What, by killing the baby? UMMM…so, if I follow this thought line…wow, we could kill off LOTS of folks, old and young, to “prevent” them from getting certain illnesses. Like cancer…hey, yeah…cuz certain folks are more prone to certain types, so hey, we could get rid of them, right?
Let me tell you about my friend John. He is in his 40′s, has Down Syndrome, and has an extremely responsible job. He volunteers for the Special Olympics, he has lots of friends, he babysits for his many nieces and nephews, he drives a car (quite well, I might add!) and he is a wonderful man. So there you go…I know lots more people with Ds, but don’t want to take up all your time. Sure you’re busy thinking about more ways to save the world. I’m praying for you buddy!
about 1 year ago
As a mother of a child with DS, the challenges are tough. I have to say that your knowledge of DS is off the radar! I will pray for you. Our family has learned true love! My son may only be 7 but he can read and write an is very verbal. Education! Respect, and peer involment! I will pray for you. I know he will have frustrations, but as all my children do? You are seriously whacked and need help or you have no soul?
about 1 year ago
I have an autistic son and this post just makes me ill. My son was not diagnosed until he was 5. Should I have institutionalized him? Give me a break. Get yourself some education on people with disabilities.
about 1 year ago
I’m not sure if you wrote this to just get a rise out of people, and are just looking for feedback and attention…. But, i have to say that I find it extremely disturbing that you would share you skewed views of individuals with disABILITIES and DS with the world where you (I hope to God not) may influence someone else’s views.
I really think you should try and enlighten yourself about people you are going to criticize before you decide to spew your hate.
People with DS are some of the kindest and most loving individuals in this worls, I am privilaged to work with adults with DS on a daily basis.
I will pray for you and for your heart to be turned away from such hate.
about 1 year ago
So answer me this smart one; What if you had all the latest tests with the latest technology and your tests all came back normal. What if you had your child and loved the little one with all your heart and soul. What if when your little one is 9 months old comes down with a common cold and you take him/her to the doctors for them to tell you…”have you ever thought that your child has Downs” You answer “no” he does not look like a Downs child, he is doing everything a 9 month old should be doing, he has never given you any reason for you to even wonder about his health. Your doctor sends you to have gentic testing that takes up to 8 weeks. Now you have an 11 month old who you are now told that “yes, your child has Downs.” What would you do? You have lived with this child for 11 months, not knowing that your child is mentally not normal and there is no cure? You love this child. Most children are cute and adorable. Even normal children can grow up and look “scary” does that change their love? does that change their profile? If you were smart then your answer should be NO. Any person child or adult is a person. A person with feelings. A person with a heart that loves. A person who can be taught and can learn 30 years ago your theory would be correct, however with the research that is being done and the medical care that is now available your thoughts on this matter are stupid and who says you are not mentally challenged…oh wait maybe you are since you did not do your research and write your thoughts without being educated….Hmmm, I also wonder what you look like, if I were to judge you on your writting…..You probably look very scary and you probably don’t have a heart. The heart is the most important thing to have. Not looks!
about 1 year ago
It’s a shame that you were born in such a crappy country, you’re going straight to hell!
about 1 year ago
Unbelievable! Don’t kid anyone – you’re not condemning parents – you are condemning the disabled by saying that they are not worthy to live!
Do you even know who Steven Hawking is? He is the most intelligent man on earth today – he is a genius, the greatest mind in a disabled body. According to your reasoning (if you can call it that) Steven Hawking didn’t deserve to be born!
You, sir, are an insensitive ass. Too bad your parents didn’t have an abortion…
about 1 year ago
Who are you really? I can’t in anyway take you seriously, but I will tell you about the adult individuals with Down (not Down’s) syndrome that I know.
Dawn is 46, has lived on her own since she was 18, she works and volunteers for two different non-profit organizations.
Layne is in his 50′s and is married to Shauna, who is in her 40′s. They travel and speak at conferences. Layne is recently retired after working for over 30 years at the same company and he drives. Yes, I mean drives a real car, has never been in an accident or had a speeding ticket.
Becca, in her 30′s, is an actress and speaker, just recently did a commerical about acceptance, something you know nothing about.
Reed, 25, also an actor and speaker. He has served a served a mission for his church, having to learn and memorize numerous facts to share with visitors of a museum.
Dustin and Danielle, 30′s and 20′s, engaged to be married. Danielle goes to beauty school. Dustin just lost both parents to cancer, but is still living just fine.
I could go on and on, but I really don’t want to waste anymore of my time on someone as worthless as you.
about 1 year ago
Applarently some have never had much contact with childen and adults with Downs Syndrome. I worked with a variety with Downs for over 15 years. They are as varied in ability and personality as any “normal” people.
Have them as a friend and they will always be your friend.
about 1 year ago
Go Figure…. A Ukrainian getting a degree in Philosophy from an AG school in Texas.
I have run into people like you for the last 28 years.
All I ask, is that you sign a living will stating that if you were to become sick, become dependent upon another to care for you, become damaged in any way shape or form, losing your finger, losing your foot in an accident, needing blood etc. That you state that you will receive no such care because you don’t deserve it. This would make you a leach on society and society should not care for somebody such as you.
I know you are young and stupid…. Hopefully, living, experience and time will wake you up. Maybe a really good car accident will change your mind… and you will meet REAL people, who REALLY exist and Really care.
I’m so sorry that you have never experienced really real love in your life.
Christie- mom to 7. 2 who are Ukrainians that Ukraine considered TRASH…. they botched thier abortions, and because of that I am BLESSED with wonderful beautiful SMART daughters, who will never, EVER, be unloved or uncherished again.
I pity you and that is why I won’t call you a piece of trash.
about 1 year ago
I would also like to add…..
Capitalism and our form of government will not work in an immoral society. Everywhere we look around we are finding that to be true. Thieves, the immoral and liars are bringing our country down.
Greed is not synonymous with Capitalism. But when it becomes so, watch out…. things will fail.
You love capitalism, but you are not a true capitalist.
You are a greedy man who wants everything for yourself.
That shows in your post above. You don’t want another’s life to effect yours. But that isn’t real.’
True philosophy should show you that.
You sir, are on the slippery slope of eugenics which led to Nazism and the murder of millions. And don’t forget:
UKRAINIANS were murdered to feed the Russians pre- world war 2.
BTW- I saw your profile pic. You are not blonde haired or blue eyed or that handsome…. It could have been YOU!
about 1 year ago
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Go back to the Ukraine…Go back to your backwards, racist, disillusioned country where you believe in this “Nazi-like” perfect world. To me and many people in our country of America, believe that YOU are the disabled one, and YOU are the one that should be removed!!! You’re on sick twisted person…I will pray for your sad, pitiful soul…
about 1 year ago
You know you are a jackass… You must not have kids… You should grow up and see the real world.. I have two boys and pray to God everyday to watch over them and keep them healthy..Anyday or time something can happen to them and to YOU.. You should pray to God and ask to be forgiven for what you had said about DS people. I have worked in the mental health field for 15yrs and worked with all kinds of people and DS are very loving ones… So you need to think the next time you write something like this, people don’t like ulgy and that is what you are….
about 1 year ago
So.. pretty much I should have been aborted??? I was born with 23 disabilities.. I am now a wife, mother, full time working, bachelor degree holder woman! Thank goodness you weren’t the decider in my being born or not
about 1 year ago
On your most recent post you called an unborn child with DS a parasitic clump of cells. You truly are one of the most misinformed people who claim to be smart that I have ever met.
Have you watched this? Even children with DS were created by God. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4&feature=related
about 1 year ago
I also don’t know why I am responding to you.
If you did your research you would know that the test for Down’s syndrome is not 100%. I have worked in maternity for 14 years and know of many families that have had “normal” babies that tested positive on the test, my niece being one of them.
Nobody is perfect including you. Your idea is no different than Hitler killing the Jews because of their religion. In that case people could say you needed to be killed because of where you are from.
God makes all people who they are for a reason. And not all mentally retarded people are Down’s Syndrome. Some have complications from birth, some from abusive parents, sometimes things just happen.
Oh and if you look around there are very few mental institutions in the United States. They were closed for inhumane treatment. I do believe that we need mental institutions for cases of mental illness that cannot be controlled. But only if they are treated with respect and dignity.
You need to look in the mirror and see that you are not perfect either. Obviously you have a warped mind to think that we should kill people for being different. If we did that who would be left?
about 1 year ago
Roberto = moron!
about 1 year ago
I am hopeful that one day you and your girlfriend may have the pleasure of having a child with DS that surprises you. Though the ACOG recommends “screening” this process is not perfect. The first test, based in large part on statistical analysis in relation to the age of the mother, does not identify all with DS. The confirmatory test, amniocentesis, comes with its own risks. It, too, may be misleading when the DS is a manifestation of a translocation (portions of an additional #21 attached to or exchanged with another chromosome) or a mosaicism (when only some but not all cells have the additional #21).
I have had the opportunity to interact with many older individuals with DS. There are obviously varying degrees of severity in their social interactions, mostly related to environmental factors (if a parent treats you like a moron, you’ll become a moron) as well as whether they are among the marginal percentage that are also autistic. However, the majority are functional. They strive to hold that job that you would likely feel is “beneath” you. They desire to be active participants in their community. Those are qualities I would rather encounter in ANY human being.
So, David, that is why I hope your perspective will change when you are fortunate enough to be tethered to a child with designer genes.
about 1 year ago
I sure hope your girlfriend is no longer working with people who have disabilities. If she believes as you do, she has NO BUSINESS working with our kids!!! And she has NO BUSINESS working with adults who have disabilities who were born in a time when people still believed as you do and they didn’t get the same education our kids do now. If I ever found out someone who believes like you was working with my child (or my adult child for that matter) I’d blow a gasket!
about 1 year ago
David,
Maybe all of the parents of adults with Down Syndrome (not Downs) are out enjoying life while their adult children are enjoying theirs….working, going to school, getting married.
I suspect that your attitude comes not from you being born in a foreign country, but from fear. God help you if you should have to interact with, accept a cheeseburger from, or sit in a class next to somebody who has a disabiltiy. Let me asssure you, it won’t rub off.
You have been blasted by plenty of others above for your Nazi-like views – so I will save my time. Just think what would have happened if having a child with blue or brown eyes or red or brown hair suddenly became a “disabilty”? Where would YOU be? How about those that you love?
You are a sad, sad person. I will keep you in my prayers.
Stephanie – mom to a 5 year old with Down Syndrome
about 1 year ago
I am a mother of a 40 year old man who was born with Down Syndrome. He works, he is a much decorated athlete.
Everyone he knows thinks he is special…in every positive way. He teaches us all how to love.
You, I judge to also be special…in every negative way.
I pity you for your purposeful ignorance. Expand that closed mind, discard the meannesses of your judgments. If you can’t do that, then just stop talking and spreading your ignorant vitriol please.
about 1 year ago
The Salon article was about autistic children growing up to be violent, as a symptom of their autism. Now find me an article about DS adults being violent, because of their trisomy 21 condition. Because I couldn’t find one.
about 1 year ago
Please, please, please tell me that you will never have children. If your child does not live up to your expectations will you simply murder him or her? I must say that hearing that you are from the ukraine does explain a lot….
You are an idiot, plan and simple.
about 1 year ago
While I find your post disturbing, I also find it equally disturbing that the people who accuse you of discriminating against the disabled seem to think it’s okay to trash you just because you’re Ukrainian. Talk about hypocrisy.
about 1 year ago
Look i think your your really stepped on your own feet this time. People with down sydrome are Gods kids. And I dont think he would appericate you putting them down like you are. Because there are a lot of kids in this world that has down sydrome and have became good kids. So you need to get a life. Tammy
about 1 year ago
People like YOU are whats wrong with this world!!
about 1 year ago
I’m just wondering what makes you so much better than anyone else, and why your life has value where there are other lives with none. Every person has thoughts, feelings, and emotions regardless of their abilities. Just because someone has a mental handicap doesn’t mean we have the right to take their life. If I had a choice, I’d choose to abort the ignorant and shallow minded bigots like you.
We live in a very small community, but I know of several adults with disabilities who are working and productive members of society. They are well mannered, polite, and very hard working.
about 1 year ago
wowzers. i’ve worked with loads of adults with downs. they live by themselves. grocery shop by themselves. and are the happiest people i know. i think you need to broaden your horizons a bit and search out those people. talk to one of them. they show more love than any other ‘normal’ person i’ve ever met. even me.
about 1 year ago
This has GOT to be a joke! What medical degree gives you any sort of background to make such over the top statements? Have you ever spent time with a person LIVING with Downs? Maybe if your mother knew what kind of person you were going to turn out to be maybe she should have had you ‘screened, aborted, and engineered out of the human race as soon as medically and technologically possible.’ That my dear sir WOULD make this world a better place indeed.
about 1 year ago
I am utterly appalled by this post. I haven’t even read the comments. You, sir, sound like a complete monster.
I am not the mother of a Downs baby. I do know mothers of Downs babies, and I hope none of them find your site.
rpm