A Little Extra (pro-Life story)

iconservatives (UK) ^ | Barbara Curtis

[Lorianne]

My son Jonathan has a little extra. A little extra enthusiasm, a little extra innocence, a little extra charm. Oh, and did I mention an extra chromosome? The one on the 21st pair that inspires so much fear in parents-to-be.

I suppose at one time I was fearful about Down syndrome. But in 1993 when they placed the blue-blanketed bundle in my arms and I could see he looked, well, just a little different - I actually felt a sense of awe. Here would be a challenge, so many things to learn. Before Jonny's birth, I'd prepared announcements with a line from Elizabeth Barrett Browning: "God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame." I sent them proudly, adding a note about his extra chromosome and our great love for him. He's been a gift I never would have thought to ask for, bringing lessons I never knew I needed to learn. The greatest surprise is this: Our life together has been less about my helping him reach his potential than about him helping me reach mine.

[xJones]

A beautiful article, and bookmarked. I have two friends that have sons with Down's Syndrome. They're very different, one's a live wire and the other is quiet. It's not at all what the parents expected, but they are precious children.

[Old Professer]

Darwin lamented that society would encourage the breeding of "defective" examples of the species out of "misplaced compassion"; what he saw as a barrier to the perfection of his theory, many see as the true merit of mankind, work as a joy, as in this mother's extra care for her not-so-perfect baby is an end in and of itself.

Most of us, if we admitted it, would not have the strength to be this way.

[alnick]

I work with adults with mental retardation, and they're all incredibly special people. I have one friend in particular with Down Syndrome. She calls me several times a week on the phone to chat. She has a boyfriend and so that's what we usually talk about, how cute her boyfriend is.

She has a wicked sense of humor too. Sometimes she surprises me with her sarcasm when I'm assuming that she's barely able to follow the conversation.

It's easy to underestimate these people. They've got a lot more going on in their minds than most give them credit for.

[Temple Drake]

a lovely article! One of my dearest friends has an 8 year old daughter with Downs. I regard this child as one of the cutest, funniest people I know -- she has some trouble with her speech, but very clearly understands most of what is going on around her and makes hilarious jokes. She is a joy & a surprise to spend time with and I so look forward to seeing her.

[Gerish]

Very nice article. Life is a gift - even though we are not guaranteed a perfect one - the author points out how lucky she is to have this remarkable child!