Downs syndrome is important.

I read an article today.  I'm not going to reference the author as I feel his opinion is not worthy of repeating.  I will explain that it is his opinion that all downs syndrome pregnancies should be terminated and the mother should "try again".

I guess I should start by telling you that I grew up with a father who worked with special needs individuals.  Downs syndrome was just one of the many circumstances that I was exposed to on a daily basis.  It was always my experience that the people that had downs syndrome were the most loving friendly people I would meet.  They don't seem to have the fear of someone not liking them and will automatically be kind and welcoming.  They will come right up to you and start a conversation.  There is no game playing or sizing up, there is just friendliness.

I have a real problem that this "expert" feels that a person with downs syndrome is not worthy of a life. Who is he to say who is worthy or unworthy?  Who exactly does he feel should be able to live?  Downs syndrome people can have very fulfilling lives and more importantly they bring unconditional love to those around them.  I would submit that maybe the families that are lucky enough to receive a downs syndrome child needed their assistance to be shown love.

I miss my Grandparents on a daily basis, mainly because of the unconditional love that I was shown.  No matter how long it had been since my last visit or call they were there with open arms happy to see me.  I don't have that element in my life currently, not many of us do.  Most people are so busy running around just trying to survive that they forget about what is important.

Downs syndrome people seem to have what is important down pat.  They might not have the fine motor skills that most people their age have but I wouldn't say that this little tidbit is a reason that they should not be given a chance at life.

The world is made up of many different kinds of people, it takes all of these people to make the world go around.  To use a food reference take a cookie.  A cookie is made up of several different ingredients.  If you were to leave out one of those ingredients the cookie would not turn out as well as it should.  I will submit that in a chocolate chip cookie downs syndrome people are the chocolate chips.  It would still be a cookie if you took them out , but life wouldn't be anywhere near as sweet.