Despicable: Obama uses girl with Down syndrome as cudgel to beat Romney

Just when you thought the Obama Machine couldn't stoop any lower ...

Obama and the Democrats are still working overtime to manufacture outrage over Mitt Romney's "47 percent" remarks. In order to counter the weakness of their arguments, their efforts have grown increasingly desperate. Today, we saw the most shameful product yet of Team Obama's desperation. To the Left, when the presidency is on the line, nothing is off-limits, including the exploitation of a young woman with Down syndrome.

Meet "Brittany":

Hello! My name is Brittany and I live in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. I am 25 years old (but I will be 26 on October 3rd!). I am a registered Democrat and I have been voting since I was 18. I am one of the 47% of Americans who fall under Mitt Romney's definition of "entitled" and "unable to take responsibility for my life." I have Down syndrome.

I started working part-time in 2004 when I was in high school. I graduated in 2008 and have worked at that job ever since. My employer receives money from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare so that I can work, and the public transportation people receive money from them to take me back and forth to work. My mother applied for Social Security's Supplemental Security Income program (SSI) for me when I was 19. I really want to make lots of money and have a hot tub someday, but SSI subtracts my paychecks from my SSI benefits, so I don't have much to put into a savings account.

I am now working for a store, folding clothes and doing returns. I like my job a lot! I make $4.98 an hour and I am allowed to work 25-30 hours a week (I have paid $542.72 in federal, FICA, state, and city taxes this year as of August 31st). I just got my own apartment and share it with another girl like me. I get to pay rent now ($325 a month) and pay for my telephone and cable because I like the Disney Channel. I was not allowed to take my dog with me, but I can hang all of my Hannah Montana posters on my bedroom wall. My mother still has to help me with my medications and handling my money and stuff.

"Brittany" seems like a sweet, hardworking girl. That makes it all the more disgusting that the Obama campaign is using her to fight its battles. Calling an opponent's character into question is nothing new in an election battle. But with this latest stunt, Team Obama has thrown decency out the window. It's not enough to focus on policy disagreements; the time has come to commit character assassination.

Read more at Twitchy

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Story at Fox 8 Cleveland

9 Reasons Down Syndrome Won't Ruin Your Life

by
Cassy Fiano

Hearing that your child has Down syndrome is life-changing. And in that moment, your life typically isn't looking too good.

When I found out, at 16 weeks pregnant, that my son Wyatt had Down syndrome, I felt like my life was over. I cried for days, thinking about all the terrible things that we would surely have to suffer. I feared we would be doomed to a lifetime of suffering and misery, having to struggle through the terrible ordeal of raising a special needs child. The images I had in my mind were of a dumb, ugly child who wouldn't be able to do anything for himself and would depend on us forever.

I'm embarrassed to admit that now, because it isn't even remotely close to reality, but it's the truth. When you get news like this, the first thing you think of is the worst-case scenario. And most moms who find out their kids have Down syndrome don't often have accurate, up-to-date knowledge of what someone with the condition is actually like.

So now that my son's been born, has my life been completely ruined? What is having a kid with Down syndrome actually like?

9. You Won't Be Scared Forever

When you first find out the news, it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. And all you can think about are all the bad things that can happen: heart defects, leukemia, thyroid disorders, infertility, Alzheimer's, intellectual disabilities, and on and on. It's so easy to get overwhelmed when you start to read about Down syndrome and see all of the health risks that come with it. Before you know it, you've convinced yourself that your baby is going to have a million health problems and you're panicking and terrified.

But trust me: the fear doesn't last forever. Eventually, you'll see that light at the end of the tunnel. And day by day, you'll start to realize that it's going to be all right. Your baby is not going to have every single malady in existence, and there will be some point when you see that. Yes, there is an inevitable period where every negative emotion under the sun completely consumes you. But that doesn't last forever.

8. He Will Exceed Your Expectations

When we were in the hospital, the neonatologist told me that Wyatt had low muscle tone. I knew from researching Down syndrome that low muscle tone was to be expected. I didn't worry about it too much -- sure, he might take a little longer to reach some physical milestones, but that's what therapy's for. He'll get there on his own time.

Read more at Pajamas Media

Celebrate Life July-August 2012

The legacy of Dr. Jerome Lejeune

By Barbara Curtis

April 11, 2012, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France: First, the incense, the pleasing fragrance to the Lord. Then the crucifix, a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and a rebuke of our hardened hearts. Then a couple dozen altar boys, most with the beautiful almond-shaped eyes of Down syndrome, leading the procession for a very special Mass--a Mass marking the next step toward beatification of a man who holds a special place in the hearts of those whose lives have been touched by an extra chromosome. [View this touching scene here.]

Jérôme Jean Louis Marie Lejeune--the man they came to honor--was the pediatrician and geneticist who, in 1958, working from the discovery that humans have 46 chromosomes, found the extra chromosome on the 21st pair that causes what was then called "mongolism" and is now called Down syndrome (after the British doctor John Langdon Down, who, in the mid-1800s, described the physical characteristics associated with this disability). Until Dr. Lejeune's discovery, the syndrome had wrongly been attributed to maternal syphilis.

Dr. Lejeune would receive many honors for this achievement, including the Kennedy Prize in 1962 (bestowed by President John F. Kennedy in person) and, in 1969, the William Allen Memorial Award from the American Society of Human Genetics--the highest distinction a geneticist can earn.

As a devout Catholic and father of five, Dr. Lejeune's discovery led him to think in terms of improving the lives of those with trisomy 21. Thousands of families corresponded with him and came from all over the world to seek his counsel. Dr. Lejeune offered them a different perspective than the world's, encouraging them to see that their children were created in God's image and made for eternity, like all of us. He assured them their children possessed special gifts of love and affection.

Dr. Lejeune called them "these dear little ones," and his love for them was authentic. So, he was horrified by the realization that, in this eugenic era, his discovery of the extra chromosome made them targets. He feared it was only a matter of time before tests made prenatal diagnosis possible, resulting in many parents choosing to abort their children.
 
Science at the service of life

Though a scientist, Dr. Lejeune was first and foremost a godly man who understood that science must be at the service of life--not death. Since the only hope for saving lives would be to find a cure for genetic intelligence disabilities, Dr. Lejeune devoted the rest of his life to this purpose. Today, his worst fears have come to pass, with tests that diagnose trisomies earlier and earlier--and increasing pressure on mothers to abort an "imperfect" baby and "try again." Over 90 percent of babies diagnosed prenatally in the U.S. are aborted, and in France, the rate is at least 96 percent.

Read more at Celebrate Life

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Sophia S. Soto
Submitted by: Nicole Soto

A Father's Sacrifice

In life and death, my father taught me by his actions what it means to love sacrificially

by Father Thomas Vander Woude

Thomas Vander Woude Sr. is pictured with six of his seven sons in 2002.

Three and a half years ago, I was called to an emergency room to console a family that had lost its dad. I also anointed the injured son whom the father had died to save. Priests are often called to the hospitals, but this visit was different: The dad was my father, Thomas Vander Woude, and the son he saved was my youngest brother, Joseph.

My father's death came after Joseph, who has Down syndrome, fell into a septic tank on the family's land. My father jumped into the tank to rescue Joseph but was unable to climb out himself. My dad's heroic action was the fulfillment of his vocation, as every husband and father is called to sacrifice his life for his wife and children. His fulfillment as a man and the joy of his vocation depend on it.

St. Paul exhorts men to love their wives "as Christ loved the Church, handing himself over for her" (Eph 5:25). How does a husband and father hand himself over to his bride and children? He follows the example of Jesus Christ, who offered himself on the cross for his bride (the Church) and for his children (all of us). Most husbands and fathers will not be required to give up their lives to the point of death. But every husband and father is required to give up his life for his wife and children in daily sacrifice. The small and hidden sacrifices of family life can be challenging but can lead to perfection when practiced over time.

In fact, every man -- whether single, married or consecrated -- is called to give himself to God and his neighbor. A boy learns this lesson of self-gift in the family, particularly from his father. Even more important than a father's words to his sons is his example of self-gift to his family and to God. When a father speaks of sacrifice through his actions, a boy learns the essence of manhood.

Read more at Knights of Columbus

This event has been held several times in Denver, and this year marked the first time on the East Coast. Sponsored by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the camp was held at the Naval Academy stadium.

Tripp and I were helping Joshua and Sophia move to Florida, but our four boys - Jonny (20), Jesse (17), Daniel (16), and Justin (12) - were able to go with the help of Big Bro Matt, whose visiting English Muffin Emma served as official Curtis archivist.

On Friday, midshipmen from the Naval Academy taught participants how to use their bodies through a series of drills like real football players. It was great fun, as you can see in the slideshow below. On Saturday, they formed two teams coached by Redskins coach Mike Shanahan and former Ravens coach Brian Billick.

Finished up with a pizza party. What a wonderful memory! Can't wait until next year!

Mom's blog: Happiness is how you respond to plan B. www.ourlittlesilverlining.blogspot.com

Please give if you can - click the button above - and share this message with people you know.

The 2012 Dare to Play Football Camp- DC/Annapolis

For individuals with Down syndrome.
Featured Coaches: Mike Shanahan- Head coach of the Washington Redskins, 2 time Super Bowl winning coach of the Denver Broncos & Brian Billick- Former head coach and Super Bowl winning coach of the Baltimore Ravens

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Camp Price: $75/participant Partial and full scholarships available. See below. Dates: June 1st-2nd, 2012 Time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD (Click Here for Map) Ages: Open to kids and young adults ages 8 to 38, both males and females are welcome!

Order Now! Number of participants:
*Camper online registration form will appear after the checkout process is complete.

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About the Camp:

This camp is ONLY for individuals with Down syndrome.

Sponsorships and scholarships for this football camp are still available. Call the hotline 303-675-8787 or email info@sportseddy.com for more information.

Have fun and learn the fundamentals of the game of football! Campers will practice blocking, throwing, catching and running. Coached by the Washington Redskins! This is a non contact camp.

Bring your family to see and meet the Washington Redskins!

Featured Coaches:

Mike Shanahan- Head coach of the Washington Redskins, 2 time Super Bowl winning coach of the Denver Broncos.

Brian Billick- Former head coach and Super Bowl winning coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

What to bring:
Campers should bring running shoes, basketball shoes, or rubber football cleats. All campers will receive a t-shirt and a gift bag.

What to wear:
Campers should arrive wearing shorts or other athletic pants. Gloves are optional.

Schedule
Friday, June 1 8:30 am - 12:30 pm - Training Camp
Saturday, June 2 8:30 am - 12:30 pm (10:30 am Pre-Game Activities; 11:00 am Scrimmage)
12:00 noon Celebration Party for Camp Participants and Fans

Although this was my gift for Mothers Day 2007, the album became an ongoing project, so it's never too late to send me pictures to include. The latest picture is always on the cover until I receive another.

Our Little Extras: A Mother's Day Down syndrome celebration

Though I started working on the album five years ago, it remains timely considering the unchanged statistics that 90% of mothers receiving a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome are aborting their babies.

The following article - Prenatal Test Puts Down Syndrome in Hard Focus - which appeared in the New York Times the same day I published my album, should give us all pause:

What makes a person disposable? Those of us who've had children with Down syndrome - and survived to tell the tale :) - would tell any parent that no matter the grieving process they go through at the loss of their dream of a "perfect" child, it doesn't take long to learn that the child we received was actually a gift in a different-looking package.

Here is what I wrote as a brief introduction to the album:

Our kids have a little extra. A little extra enthusiasm, a little extra innocence, a little extra charm. Oh, and did I mention an extra chromosome? The one on the 21st pair that inspires so much fear in parents-to-be.

I suppose at one time all of us were fearful about Down syndrome. But take a look at our faces. Who knew how much joy lay ahead?

Having a child with Down syndrome has helped me see there's infinitely more to life than intelligence, beauty and "perfection." Each of us moms has received a gift we never would have thought to ask for, bringing lessons we never knew we needed to learn. The greatest surprise is this:

Our lives with our children have been less about us helping them reach their potential than about them helping us reach ours. This album was created by Barbara Curtis - mother of four sons with Down syndrome - one by birth, three by adoption. Visit me at www.MommyLife.net. And send a picture of you and your little extra to megamommy12(at)aol(dot)com.

Please visit the album and bookmark it. Share it with your mothers' groups and OB-GYNs. Most importantly, share with anyone receiving the news that her baby has Down syndrome and wondering what lies ahead.

When Jonny was born 20 years ago, there were only a couple books available on Down syndrome. Now look at what's available - the last four all released within the last year:

This has been a great year with many high profile parents of children with Down syndrome making an impact. The abortion rate - once estimated at 90% for prenatally-diagnosed babies - is falling into the 80s. In actuality, it couldn't be a better time to have a child with Down syndrome. And believe me, as a mother I will tell you that having one isn't about us helping them reach their potential as much as it's about them helping us reach ours.

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See also
Children's books on Down syndrome
Children's books on disabilities

See also
Children's books on disabilities
Down syndrome books for parents

To dissociate the child from love is, for our species, a methodological error: contraception, which is to make love without making a child; artificial (in vitro) fertilization, which is to make a child without making love; abortion, which is to unmake the child; and pornography, which is to unmake love: all these, to varying degrees, are incompatible with natural law. ~Dr. Lejeune