Posted on 05/30/2007 1:53:48 PM PDT by SmithL
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said Wednesday that her month-old son, Cole, has been diagnosed with Down syndrome.
"This news has been difficult to get our arms around. Like every parent, we have hopes and dreams for our children," McMorris Rodgers said in a letter to constituents and supporters. "Although initially stunned, we are embracing our son and preparing for what may lay ahead."
McMorris Rodgers, a second-term Republican from eastern Washington state, was the first member of Congress in more than a decade to give birth while in office.
Down syndrome occurs when a person has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. Characteristics associated with Down syndrome include low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes and cognitive delays.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
God bless her..she’s got her hands full I think.
On a cynical note, I wonder what the ‘useful idiots’ at DU and other leftist sites are saying about this. I wonder how many hate-filled and hurtful things they will say. I wonder how the left will use this in the next election.
I know such things are horrible, but I also know the left and what they are capable of. I know their character, or lack thereof, and know that their hate and stupidity knows no bounds.
Noone wants their child to be a downs child but I know a few parents who have learned to see it as a blessing in some ways.
God bless her. I hate to see a Republican leave office, but right now her family needs her more than we do.
My brother-in-law has Downs’, he is a wonderful, loving person. While time in Congress is important, a Downs child will need love and attention. I hope she can find some way to find a good Republican to replace her so that she can be with her treasure when he needs her.
Her challenge will be an enlightened one, her precious child will need all then love and caring she can give. I know she will.
God bless this family. They will see the power of love every day. Their challenges will be great but so will their reward.
>God bless her. I hate to see a Republican leave office, but right now her amily needs her more than we do.<
As a Republican-starved Washingtonian, I, too hate to see her leave office. I hope there is a another good Republican in her district to step in for her.
In the meantime, I want to say that God has blessed her with this sweet child, who will be full of love and laughter one day soon. And Gpd would not send her more than she can handle. May He keep mother and child gently in His hand. May all who know and love them celebrate this wondrous birth.
oooops then is the, sorry
Good for her!
80%+ of "parents" who get such test results abort their child. Perhaps the most appalling statistic I've every seen.
“Jill Strait, a spokeswoman for McMorris Rodgers, said a blood test conducted during the pregnancy indicated an increased risk of Down syndrome because of the congresswoman’s age, 37 when she gave birth to Cole, her first child...The couple “decided not to pursue further testing,” Strait said.”
Thanks for not aborting the child as many others have done. I have a nephew, Danny, with Downs and he is a great kid. All kids are a challenge in one way or another... When I was young (1960’s) there were more people with Downs around than there are now. I guess that is a result of testing and abortion....
God bless her and her son. My friends at church and Scouts who have Down Syndrome children treasure them. Nonetheless, I’m sure it’s a shock and a significant adjustment at first.
Down’s kids are wonderfu children. They are so affectionate and loving. Congresswoman McMorris-Rodgers can look forward to many years of joy and fulfillment raising this precious son.
There is a fella with Downs at my local supermarket who helps bag groceries, and he does a very good job of it too. Very pleasant sweet guy, works hard too.
God bless little Cole. He will be a blessing to this family and this world.
Prayers lifted.
You can bet that it is. When I took genetics class back in 1976, they were already telling us about amneocentesis, and they were using Down's as one of the things that could be readily checked for. That's thirty years of children that we haven't seen.
Today, my lady told me that her pregnant girlfriend got a call from the ultrasound lab, to have the baby tested for genetic disorders, they specifically said, "...it's not too late to terminate." Now, there is no way I would ask someone to give birth to a child with no brain, or some absolutely life-ending condition, but it made me wonder just what they found and what she's going to do about it.
She wanted my lady to take her in for an abortion a few months ago, but my lady talked her into keeping the baby.
I heard the same thing many times. There is a reason for everything.
Sympathies to her.
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