A Child is a Gift...Down Syndrome or not!

Photo by: Rich Johnson

Down Syndrome...We all know this term all too well. We have all at one point seen countless children and adults who have this condition.

I'm sure many of you have even seen these people being treated like they are less than human. Seen people laugh, point, or mock them in public.

But perhaps the most disturbing thing I've been hearing about lately, is the option for a couple to terminate a pregnancy if the child is found to have this condition. Not only do I find this deeply disturbing but it is basically telling people that if your child has Down Syndrome it is acceptable to terminate them because they are considered "less than desirable."

Now some of you might say, "Why do you care?"

And my answer would be: "I am a mother and I couldn't fathom terminating my child no matter the condition."

I am currently five months pregnant and my husband and I are anxiously anticipating our ultrasound this week. After all, we will finally get to know the sex of our child!

We had been wanting another child for a while now...so when our prayers were answered you could imagine how excited we were! Not only for ourselves but for our oldest son Hunter! He was going to be a big brother!

And then it happened....the doctors started asking if I wanted to do any screenings for any
 conditions the baby might have.

I started to think about my unborn child and the possibility that he/she could have Down Syndrome. Would I keep this child? If so, would I treat this child any differently???

My answer to these questions was simple...I knew what I would do...and that was nothing short of what any mother would do. I would carry this child to full term and give he/she a chance to live a good productive life. I wouldn't treat this child any different than my oldest and I wouldn't treat this child like it wasn't human.

As a mother I don't know how any woman could willing kill her own unborn child. I say "Kill" because that is what you are doing. You  are saying your child is expendable and not worthy of life because it has what society deems as unworthy qualities.

The truth is a child is a gift...every child should be given a right to life. Every child is precious and if you can't see it that way, then you shouldn't be allowed to reproduce.

So if any of you expectant mothers find that you are having a child with Down Syndrome, please don't terminate that child. Choose to give that child a chance at life. Choose to let them grow and experience the simple wonders and joys of life. Let them become someone and most importantly let them make an impact on this world!

Love doesn't count chromosomes!

Signing off,

Excited to Find out the Sex of our Baby!

Rachel Myrie