May 25, 2008 7:47 PM
Governor Palin's choice:keeping her baby with Down syndrome
Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, recently gave birth to her fifth child - a baby with Down syndrome. Here's a little backstory:
Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska is known for being attractive (a former pageant winner, she was featured in a Vogue photo shoot this year), forceful (her opponents have nicknamed her "Sarah Barracuda") and a possible running mate for John McCain. Challenging circumstances now also have made her a shining example of personal pro-life convictions.In December, her doctor told her that prenatal tests indicated the child she was expecting in May would be born with Down syndrome, a genetic condition that stems from an extra chromosome and that impedes a child's physical, intellectual and language development.
Only one year into her governorship and with four children at home already, a child with Down syndrome would present serious challenges. Studies in the late 90s showed that more than 80 percent of prenatal Down syndrome diagnoses end in abortion.
Not only did Gov. Palin reject the idea of getting rid of her baby, but
In an e-mail she sent to relatives and friends the day of Trig's birth, she wrote: "Many people will express sympathy, but you don't want or need that, because Trig will be a joy…Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed-up world…Trig is no different, except he has one extra chromosome."
Source: Mom rejects abortion after Down syndrome diagnosis
Posted in Down syndrome, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink
Comments
Too bad Palin isn't interested in being home and raising her kids, huh?
Posted by: Kelly | May 26, 2008 5:15 AM
Kelly -
you're definitely right about that....
Posted by: barbara | May 26, 2008 7:25 AM
I think Gov. Palin is wonderful in many ways (the SAHM notwithstanding) and of course, I am happy she decided to keep her child - what disturbs me more is that there are those out there who thought she shouldn't. And that she's some kind of hero because she didn't abort her baby with Down's. It's shocking to me that people can be so casual about it - and that 80 percent of those with prenatal Down's diagnosis do abort? How can that be right? I'm beyond shocked and deeply, deeply saddened for the lack of morals of people who are supposedly upstanding citizens.
Posted by: michelle | May 28, 2008 1:19 PM
I'm afraid it gets worse. My obstetrician told me that the abortion rate for Down syndrome here on Long Island is a horrifying 93%.
I'll tell you how it happens; I was at a Bioethics Conference Friday at the UN and was told by an 'expert' that it was OK to abort Down's children since "parents want their children to have the best shot at happiness in life". What an ignorant man!
Anyone who knows our children, knows they specialize in happiness. Thank God for public officials like Gov. Palin and Rep. McMorris Rogers who just started the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus.
Posted by: Leticia Velasquez | May 28, 2008 11:50 PM
