Saturday, January 22, 2011

No More "Mental Retardation"

The mother of a Down's Syndrome child speaks from the heart. To quote:
Recently, an American psychiatrist traveled to Ireland, and was puzzled by the fact that he saw many more children with Down syndrome in the population than he was accustomed to seeing at home. He noted that they were integrated into everyday activities, and marveled at how they were casually accepted in everyday life. Upon investigation into this rare phenomenon, he came upon a surprising fact: abortion is illegal in Ireland, so the 90 percent abortion rate that has virtually extinguished people with Down elsewhere is not operating. The Irish don't do a double take for children like Christina. In fact, they are debuting a cartoon on Irish TV whose main character, "Punkie," is a little girl with Down syndrome. It will be included among the ordinary children's programs.
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8 comments:

Gareth Russell said...

I have to say that one of the most appalling things about the abortion debate is when one hears people suggesting that a child with Downs or born blind or deaf should be aborted. It's tantamount to saying - in fact, it IS saying - that people born with those disabilities are basically unworthy of life or that their lives are pointless.

I should point out that I try not to become too strident on the abortion debate, in the sense that whilst I do have my own opinions on it, I don't hate those who have contrary opinions. Good debate is always appreciated!

One thing I would add as a caveat to the psychiatrist's report is that it is not illegal to have one as a citizen in the Irish republic, nor is it illegal to have one in Northern Ireland. It is, however, illegal to carry one out on Irish soil, north or south of the border, unless the mother's life is at risk. There is an old Irish saying that "the child has a wee want," which basically means that they have a disability. However, I'm proud to say that in every part of the island, apart from a few very tragic cases in the west, there has not (even traditionally) been the view that disabled children are in some way worthless to family life or society. And good for RTE for developing the children's programme!

elena maria vidal said...

Thank you, Gareth, for clarifying things and I am proud of my Irish brethren that they have kept this scourge from their shores!

Theresa Bruno said...

Another appalling aspect of the debate is when a baby is aborted because of its gender. We think this only happens in China and India, but it happens in the west as well.

elena maria vidal said...

Yes, it does. I wish people understood the consequences of what happens when we take upon ourselves the decisions that belong only to God.

Christina said...

"that people born with those disabilities are basically unworthy of life or that their lives are pointless."

Yes, it reminds me of the Nazi slogan "Lebensunwertes Leben" - lives unworthy of life. I always wonder if those people who advocate the abortion of children with birth defects know whom they are echoing.

P. M. Doolan said...

There is a wonderful Japanese documentary about the Special Olympics that were held in Ireland some years ago that features as the main character a girl with Down's Syndrome. I'm afraid I have forgotten the title, but it is well worth looking out for.

elena maria vidal said...

So true, Christina!

I will look out for the documentary, P.M.

Bibliophile said...

As the mother of a Down Syndrome daughter, I can tell you that she has great worth. Our family loves her, and she is involved in most of our activities. Hooray for the Irish!