September 29, 2007 2:36 PM
Bill seeks support for parents of children with Down syndrome
Over ninety percent of parents abort their children after receiving a pre-natal diagnosis of Trisomy 21.1 In an effort to remedy this, the Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act has been introduced to "increase the provision of scientifically sound information and support services to parents who receive a positive diagnosis" of Down syndrome and other conditions. This would help ensure parents receive up-to-date information and support services as well as real alternatives to abortion.Conservative Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) and liberal Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) are sponsoring the Senate version (S. 1810) and Representatives F. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wisconsin), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) and Pete Sessions (R-Texas) have introduced a companion bill in the House, H.R. 3112. (Senator Kennedy's sister Eunice serves as Honorary Chairperson for the Special Olympics and is an advocate for the disabled. [Barbara's note: the Kennedy clan had a sister who was mentally retarded, hence their special interest in this group]
The bill also provides for the expansion and further development of national and local peer-support programs. . . .
Shock, fear of the unknown and a sense of dread cloud the minds of parents as they try to understand and prepare to care for their special child. . . .
Babies who have Down syndrome do not jeopardize the life of their pregnant mother, a reason frequently given for making abortion easily available. Rather, the medical profession's prediction of a doomed future with limited and outdated information on the potential of these children leads parents to choose abortion. These babies are unwanted because they are born "imperfect" - a trait common to all human beings.S.1810 and H.R. 3112 will provide such parents with information on development potential, quality of life and also on families willing to adopt newborns with Down syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed conditions. While parents are encouraged to kill their children, simply because they have Down syndrome, there is a waiting list of many people who would like to adopt such children because of their condition! For more information, contact the Adoption Knowledge and Information on Down syndrome organization.
It is unfortunate that many people view Down syndrome as a disability, when the inability to love these children unconditionally is in itself the real "disability".
Read full article here. Read Sen. Brownbak's press release here.
Posted in Disabilities, Down syndrome, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink
Comments
Barbara,
Having lost a down syndrome baby and having a down syndrome sister, I know first hand how beautiful and loving these children are. No child can light up a room or bring such happiness into ones life until you have experienced the presence of a down syndrome child. Keep up the fight!
Denise Pecora
Posted by: Denise Pecora | October 5, 2007 10:47 PM
