8 Major Misconceptions About Down’s Syndrome - From A Parent Who Had Them
We Share The Same Skies.
A recent CBS News piece drew criticism for its troubling presentation of Iceland's current pregnancy termination rates. It appeared to tacitly endorse 'eradicating' Down's Syndrome (ahead of some hasty second-day edits), without thinking of actual people that currently have it, or future babies born with it.
The organisation's promotional tweet was even worse. With only 140 characters, CBS elected to ignore intricacies and attach a competitive element to an evocative and complex situation.
'On pace' caustically stung, exhibiting more disappointing naivety from a global news media that has a responsibility to treat people with Down's Syndrome with far more respect and ensure their readers do the same.
Of course, those within that bubble probably don't even know this. They don't know of constantly evolving world accommodating those with all ranges of additional needs, not least those with Down's. That's not implied with critical judgment - I had to learn of these and other realities from scratch myself.
I steer away from personal pronouns when writing elsewhere on this site, but with apologies may be required to drop the odd one here. As a father of a son with Down's, I fear many will never grasp significant social, economical and anecdotal arguments over the condition whilst getting lost in a fog of scientific 'progression' and borderline eugenics.
Whether pro-life, pro-choice or pro-don't know, termination is literally a decision of life or death. It should not - and can not - be made without a more even-handed dissemination of information.
8. It's The End
It's a feeling many soon-to-be or brand new parents experience when given the news that their child has Down's Syndrome. Naturally, specific emotions will differ from person to person, but anecdotally, a sense of finality and loss permeates during a time most people without said bombshell undergo transformative and celebratory changes as they adjust to life with their new son or daughter.
For most, there are two forces at play. One is a sense of grief - the grieving of a life you feel you have 'lost'. A vision of parenthood you neither anticipated nor even particularly wanted, and one you didn't experience in either your own upbringing or that of your friends or family members. The second is a fearful lack of understanding - a pregnancy encourages many to ingest as much knowledge about the brave unknown before the baby arrives, but few look with any discernment into information on disability during that time.
The prospect of doing this should Down's (or any unexpected condition) arise during screening or after the birth can be daunting, and even threaten to ruin what again is traditionally considered a very happy occasion.
Unfortunately, only time can heal such an open and exposed wound. Like any bereavement, the grief will linger simply until it does not.
As a parent, you are aided by your child. Your tremendous, curious, confused, excited and infuriated little baby. They require the continued nourishment of your love and undivided attention until a bond forms. And that's if it didn't already in utero. It is not the end, even if it doesn't particularly feel like much of a beginning.