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Down Syndrome and the Pressure to Abort
Zenit News Agenc ^ | March 9, 2006 | Elizabeth Schlitz

Posted on 03/09/2006 5:38:33 PM PST by NYer

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To: PalestrinaGal0317
Children with Down's Syndrome are by the vast majority the sweetest children you will ever meet. I have never met a Down's Syndrome child who wasn't one of gentlest, sweetest, most beautiful souls on the planet.

Palestrina, you said what I was just about to say. A long time ago, when I was a reporter, I was sent to do a story on a group of kids born with Down's Syndrome. I was just a young single guy, with not much concern about children one way or the other. It turned out to be one of the most moving experiences of my life. The open, innocent affection of these kids was overwhelming. It gave me a whole new insight into the value of human life. It was over 25 years ago, and I still think of it often. Their lives are precious, and their parents obviously felt so too.

41 posted on 03/09/2006 6:22:16 PM PST by speedy
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To: NYer

My cousin has Down's Syndrome. Plus, I worked for the ARC, which serves people with developmental disabilities such as Down's Syndrome, for 5 years. I worked in a group home with a middle aged man with Down's Syndrome and a middle aged woman with Down's Syndrome. They both had jobs. They both had hobbies and interests. And friends. They were both interested in the opposite sex. And they both seemed to derive at least as much joy out of life as many "normal" folks I've met.


42 posted on 03/09/2006 6:22:34 PM PST by Huck (space for rent)
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To: William Creel; Mr. Lucky
Only when the mother's life is at stake, and rape.

One of the most outspoken proponents against abortion, was the product of rape. She is a beautiful individual, smart, intelligent and pro-life!

43 posted on 03/09/2006 6:24:07 PM PST by NYer (Discover the beauty of the Eastern Catholic Churches - freepmail me for more information.)
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To: wyattearp
I wonder how many perfectly normal babies have been killed, and how many parents have been denied a child, because of this?

My wife and I went through exactly the same, almost 10 years ago. Quite a few medical offices are STRONGLY biased in favor of abortion for indications of Downs.

We had the same error in test results too, and I think a DELIBERATE mistake as to the date of pregnancy, which gives a false positive on AFP test. The doctors told us we were wrong about the date of pregnancy - they insisted we were wrong. And we knew for a fact that we were not.

We told 'em to stuff it - the extra tests, the attitude, and the business. We fired the doctor. We hired a midwife - had the baby at the Catholic hospital.

44 posted on 03/09/2006 6:26:32 PM PST by Cboldt
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To: RobbyS

Amen


45 posted on 03/09/2006 6:26:49 PM PST by Cap'n Crunch
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To: William Creel

Short of murder, rape is the most horrible crime there is, and I think all forcible rapists should get the death penalty (the Supreme Court decision that limits the use of the death penalty to murder is absurd). But an innocent child should not have to pay with his life for the sins of his father. The U.S. Constitution prohibits the federal government from imposing "corruption of blood" (punishment for the children of the criminal) even on those convicted of treason. Society's response to a rape should be to execute the guilty rapist, not kill an innocent baby.

Here's a good article on the "tough cases" regarding abortion:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1593308/posts


46 posted on 03/09/2006 6:27:40 PM PST by AuH2ORepublican (http://auh2orepublican.blogspot.com/)
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To: Graybeard58

When my mother was 36 years old she became pregnant. The Doctor urged her to have an abortion because of her age.

My sister is now 30 and has three kids of her own.


47 posted on 03/09/2006 6:28:42 PM PST by Cap'n Crunch
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To: Huck

Life is so precious, and love can make it through all obstacles. In my opinion anyway.


48 posted on 03/09/2006 6:30:24 PM PST by Cap'n Crunch
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To: NYer

one of my best friends lost his kids and his house, along with(and to) his wife, after the last of his parents died and he was all there is left to take care of his younger sister... until one of them dies.


49 posted on 03/09/2006 6:32:31 PM PST by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: Fishing-guy; All
I avoided an amniocentesis 12 years ago, because I was high risk, and the test caused an abortion in 1/200 cases.
My OB/GYN was certain my child would be born with Downs Syndrome, because of the numerous sonograms he scheduled.
I defied him, and my HMO backed my decision.
Fortunately I was not a 20 something pregnant mother, who believed that doctors knew everything.
I was a thirty something wonan, and had my child been born less than "perfect", I still wanted her,loved her already, and would have dealt with any problems as best I could.
My daughter still had a few holes in her heart at birth, that all closed naturally and completely before 24 months, and she is not a Downs Syndrome child.
I wonder how many women have aborted their "normal" children
based on the medical opinions and heavy pressure from their doctors?
I don't consider myself "special", and I never actively wished for a Downs Syndrome child.
The probability was an additional heavy stress during my final trimester of pregnancy.
Women who have aborted their babies don't want to hear about women like me.
If I were them, I would avoid me too!
Sigh....
50 posted on 03/09/2006 6:32:46 PM PST by sarasmom (I don't care who John Galt is, I just need his email address.)
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To: NYer; 2ndMostConservativeBrdMember; afraidfortherepublic; Alas; al_c; american colleen; annalex; ...
The March of Dimes and Abortion
51 posted on 03/09/2006 6:33:57 PM PST by Coleus (What were Ted Kennedy & his nephew doing on Good Friday, 1991? Getting drunk and raping women)
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To: AuH2ORepublican
Even when an "imperfect" baby is killed, his or her parents are denied a child.

I know. I wasn't trying to say that it was different. If a child is showing signs that he/she may have developmental problems, oftentimes the parents are pounded on pretty hard by the doctors to abort. I think that it's disgusting that they do it at all, but it is especially heinous when they are wrong about their diagnosis.

My friends kept the baby, fully believing the doctors that it was a Down's syndrome child. Finding out that it wasn't, coupled with the fact that the doctors had been hounding them to get them to kill their baby, really illuminated the whole situation. (And yes, they switched doctors).

Where abortion is concerned, for far too long doctors have ignored the "first of all, do not harm" part of their oath. Too many of them will kill a child at the drop of a hat.

52 posted on 03/09/2006 6:34:46 PM PST by wyattearp (The best weapon to have in a gunfight is a shotgun - preferably from ambush.)
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To: sarasmom
I wonder how many women have aborted their "normal" children

Sadly ... far too many. Bless you!

53 posted on 03/09/2006 6:40:49 PM PST by NYer (Discover the beauty of the Eastern Catholic Churches - freepmail me for more information.)
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To: NYer
I have a close friend, a successful attorney, who with his wife adopted six children including two with Down's syndrome to go along with six of their own children. It has been a challenge, but they have given it their all and have reared fine, self-confident and accomplished kids, including the two with Down's syndrome (you'll never meet two more loving kids).

Some people go quietly about the business of demonstrating extraordinary heroism in everyday life in a way that shames the men and women of the earth who are great for fleeting and self-important reasons.

54 posted on 03/09/2006 6:41:25 PM PST by JCEccles
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To: sarasmom

JohnGalt@AtlasShrugged.com 8^)


55 posted on 03/09/2006 6:44:02 PM PST by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: NYer

Having been around many children with Down's Syndrome, I can't understand why anyone would want to abort after finding this out. Down's kids are usually very cute, lovable and friendly. There are far worse birth defects that can happen....


56 posted on 03/09/2006 6:44:14 PM PST by Born Conservative (Chronic Positivity - http://jsher.livejournal.com/)
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To: NYer
I am not surprised. The hypocritical libs pretend they're the party of tolerance and yet, to them someone with Down's syndrome is not worthy of life.

God forgive me for this but I hate them. I hate all of them. I have a precious niece with Down's syndrom. I defy any of those that feel they're so superior to show up at our family reunions and suggest our precious Elaine is not worthy of life. Our Elaine is more worthy of life than those who want us to believe she is not.

57 posted on 03/09/2006 6:44:51 PM PST by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: NYer
I am not surprised. The hypocritical libs pretend they're the party of tolerance and yet, to them someone with Down's syndrome is not worthy of life.

God forgive me for this but I hate them. I hate all of them. I have a precious niece with Down's syndrom. I defy any of those that feel they're so superior to show up at our family reunions and suggest our precious Elaine is not worthy of life. Our Elaine is more worthy of life than those who want us to believe she is not.

58 posted on 03/09/2006 6:44:55 PM PST by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: NYer

At 41 I got pregnant after being on medicine that was supposed to have made me sterile. I thought I was done with babies but something told me this child was a gift from God. My doctors pushed for abortion and did all the tests that were needed. She was born healthy and hep C free. I have hep C and have had it since before there even was a C. It was called non A non b hep back in 1982 when I went to give blood. Had my doctors told me my baby would have had downs, I would have had her anyway. She has made our lives better and brings much happiness to our family everyday. I think people need to stop and realize not everything can be perfect. Things happen for a reason. I know people who have downs children and they bring much joy to their families.


59 posted on 03/09/2006 6:47:45 PM PST by pandoraou812 (dilligaf)
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To: wyattearp

Those who comply and abort their child will never know the truth if the doctors were wrong. Shame on all of them.


60 posted on 03/09/2006 6:49:57 PM PST by Conservativegreatgrandma
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