Why I wrote it and Why I almost didn't post it
Many people have asked me why I didn't want to post "Perhaps You Should Sue God".
The truth is, I was afraid.
I was afraid of being perceived as judgmental. I was afraid that perhaps my point wouldn't come across.
My desire was not to attack these parents or the many others who have gone through with similar lawsuits. Wanting to make a point to doctors who made a mistake can make sense under certain circumstances. I get that.
But as I saw the link to this lawsuit float around facebook, I became aware that this lawsuit was being used as an opportunity to magnify every preconceived flaw of Down syndrome a thousand fold for the world to see.
In order to win this case, these parents had to convince the jury that Down syndrome was a debilitating disease-that individuals with an extra chromosome were suffering- that an "imperfect" life was not worth living.
And I'm sorry, but that just isn't true.
In a world where around 90% of ds prenatal diagnosis terminate, a lawsuit like this combined with the new tests to find out even earlier screams a death sentence for those individuals whose only crime is being different.
So while I wanted to sit back in my little corner and keep my opinion of this particular case to myself, I realized that I had to say something about how Down syndrome was being perceived because of the popularity of this story.
I never predicted that so many people would read my humble words.
And yes, I have been called judgmental.
But if I can show the life of one of the many people with Down syndrome living a happy, full life; brightening the world in a unique way; teaching us about overcoming challenges; showing us what unconditional love looks like; deepening respect for all- then it's OK.
Sometimes the things we fear are just the challenges set in front of us designed to make us better versions of ourselves. Change can hurt. Fear can be debilitating.
But Down syndrome is not.
And that's why I clicked "Publish Post"
in a small attempt to defend those unborn designer babies who can't yet speak for themselves.
The truth is, I was afraid.
I was afraid of being perceived as judgmental. I was afraid that perhaps my point wouldn't come across.
My desire was not to attack these parents or the many others who have gone through with similar lawsuits. Wanting to make a point to doctors who made a mistake can make sense under certain circumstances. I get that.
But as I saw the link to this lawsuit float around facebook, I became aware that this lawsuit was being used as an opportunity to magnify every preconceived flaw of Down syndrome a thousand fold for the world to see.
In order to win this case, these parents had to convince the jury that Down syndrome was a debilitating disease-that individuals with an extra chromosome were suffering- that an "imperfect" life was not worth living.
And I'm sorry, but that just isn't true.
In a world where around 90% of ds prenatal diagnosis terminate, a lawsuit like this combined with the new tests to find out even earlier screams a death sentence for those individuals whose only crime is being different.
So while I wanted to sit back in my little corner and keep my opinion of this particular case to myself, I realized that I had to say something about how Down syndrome was being perceived because of the popularity of this story.
I never predicted that so many people would read my humble words.
And yes, I have been called judgmental.
But if I can show the life of one of the many people with Down syndrome living a happy, full life; brightening the world in a unique way; teaching us about overcoming challenges; showing us what unconditional love looks like; deepening respect for all- then it's OK.
Sometimes the things we fear are just the challenges set in front of us designed to make us better versions of ourselves. Change can hurt. Fear can be debilitating.
But Down syndrome is not.
And that's why I clicked "Publish Post"
in a small attempt to defend those unborn designer babies who can't yet speak for themselves.