LIFE DIGEST: No regrets, say parents of Down children
- Oct 5, 2011 - 1 -
Children with Down syndrome not only are valuable to God as human beings made in His image, but their family members report they are great blessings.
About 96 percent of parents said they have no regrets about having a child with Down syndrome, according to recent surveys. The survey results come at a time when an estimated 90 percent of unborn children in the United States diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted.
Also in this edition: Nearly 40 babies saved in first five days of 40 Days for Life, Florida doctor loses license after abortion on 12 year old, and Pro-life amendment stands in Mexican state.
The findings, reported Sept. 30 by HealthDay News, also showed almost 80 percent of parents said their child with Down syndrome has improved their lives. In addition, 94 percent of siblings said they felt “pride” in their brother or sister and 88 percent said their sibling had made them a “better person.”
Virtually all of those with Down syndrome said they were happy and liked who they are, HealthDay News reported.
“The voices we heard were very satisfied and very positive about their lives despite the fact that they have real challenges,” said Brian Skotko, who conducted the surveys, which appear in the October issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics, according to HealthDay.
“People with Down syndrome should be able to describe for Americans what it means to have the condition,” Skotko said.
A prenatal blood test announced in August will make it possible for many more parents to learn if their children test positive for Down syndrome or other conditions. In performing the surveys, Skotko wanted to make sure parents who receive such a diagnosis have good information.
Louise Borke’s life with a 22-year-old son with Down syndrome has been rewarding, according to HealthDay. “It’s been fun,” she said. “It’s had its challenges — I won’t deny that — but it’s been fun. It’s been rewarding and I have no regrets.”
Her son, Louis Sciuto, works at a Target store and is socially active, playing sports and going on double dates with friends.
HealthDay asked her what she would tell parents who have learned their child may have Down syndrome? “I would tell them don’t be afraid,” she said. “It’s different but it’s not worse. Louis has had friends whose parents have told me that they believe their children are better people for having known Louis.”
Down syndrome normally results when a person has three copies, rather than two, of chromosome 21.
Nearly 40 babies saved in first five days of 40 Days for Life
The 40 Days for Life campaign reported 38 unborn children saved from abortion in the first five days of its latest outreach.
This fall’s campaign, which began Sept. 28, includes outreaches at 301 sites, the most in the effort’s history. The biannual campaign consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting to end abortion, as well as community outreach and peaceful prayer vigils outside abortion clinics.
The following reports were among those provided to the 40 Days for Life staff in the first five days of the outreach:
- Three unborn babies were saved on the first day of outreach at the Dallas, Texas, prayer vigil.
- A baby was saved in the first hour of the first day after a Grand Rapids, Mich., clinic opened with 40 Days participants present.
- A child was delivered from abortion at a Planned Parenthood clinic on the opening day of the vigil in Syracuse, N.Y. The mother accepted an invitation to go to a pregnancy help center.
- The abortion doctor at Planned Parenthood’s clinic in Columbia, Mo., quit six days before the 40 Days vigil began outside its doors. The clinic began referring women to the Planned Parenthood center in St. Louis.
The pro-life outreach, which began in Texas in 2004 and went national in 2007, has received reports of more than 4,300 unborn lives saved from abortion as a result of its campaigns. In addition, more than 50 abortion clinic workers reportedly have quit and 14 abortion centers have closed following outreaches at clinics.
Florida doctor loses license after abortion on 12 year old
The Florida Board of Medicine voted Oct. 1 to suspend the medical license of a doctor who performed a 2009 abortion on a 12-year-old girl without reporting possible child abuse.
The board took action against Michael Benjamin, a Tamarac, Fla., obstetrician, who said he believed the girl’s story she was six months pregnant by consensual sex with a classmate, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. Her mother’s boyfriend, however, impregnated her and was convicted of sexual battery.
Under Florida law, doctors are required to report incidents of sex involving children under 16 years of age.
Benjamin plans to appeal the decision, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Under the board’s ruling, he must pay a $10,000 fine, perform community service and return to the board for a review.
Pro-life amendment stands in Mexican state
The Mexican Supreme Court came within a vote of overturning a pro-life amendment in the state of Baja California.
Seven of the high court’s 11 justices voted to strike down the amendment to Baja California’s constitution, but eight votes were needed, the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) News reported Sept. 29. As a result, the measure, which says life begins at conception, stands.
More than half of Mexico’s 31 states have enacted such amendments, which strictly limit abortion, according to the BBC. Those states’ policies conflict with that of Mexico City, which permits abortions in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. All Mexican states allow an exception in the case of a pregnancy caused by rape, and most permit an abortion when the woman’s life is threatened, according to the BBC.
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission works to protect the sanctity of human life. If you would like to learn more about this issue, additional resources are available here. Our free, downloadable Impact resource is also available online. If your church is interested in purchasing materials on the sanctity of human life, please visit our online bookstore and erlc.com.
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1 On Oct 7th, 2011, at 12:42am, Nicholas Malawey wrote:
Children with Down Syndrome are the most miraculous of all children! My 16 year old with DS is the world to me, he holds my world together! Everyday he says, “I love you!” We talk to Jesus, go to baseball games and just have fun at home! Scott loves all sports and always has energy for a hug! Thank you God in Heaven for all our blessings and Thank you for attending to our special needs!