February 25, 2008 9:59 AM
Down syndrome - save lives, sign petition, please
From my friend Gloria in California:
If you look around just about EVERYONE knows SOMEONE who has a child with special needs. Some of us knew before our child was born that there would be challenges, some of us gave birth to a typical child who later in life had challenges. There are no guarantees that you or your child will not face obstacles in life.But many doctors have taken it upon themselves to 'educate' us about some of the prenatally diagnose-able conditions, and then give us their perception on what is okay, or what is not. Many doctors suggest termination of a less than perfect baby for as many reasons as there are doctors! Only a handful will give the positive side of raising a child with challenges, especially Down syndrome.
Did you know that up to 95% of children prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted?
Did you know that many of the tests for Down syndrome are faulty? And that some mothers are being told their child has "markers" for Down syndrome, and are urged to do testing that in and of itself can be harmful to the child? And if they decide not to do this test (Amniocentisis), many are still urged to terminate their pregnancy based on these 'markers'?
There is an online petition that is going to be sent to Congress, urging doctors to give more factual and accurate (and POSITIVE) information to mothers who have been told their child might have Down syndrome. If you know someone who has Down syndrome, you know what incredible people they are! If you don't know someone, I guarantee you are missing out on a very amazing blessing in life!
This link below asks you to sign if you ar a parent of a child with Down Syndrome... I would say if you are at all concerned about the information being given to mothers who may or may not receive a prenatal diagnosis of ANY condition, but specifically Down syndrome, that you would take one minute from your day to sign this petition. Please, you only need to put your name and state to make it really a viable signature. (Many people are signing anonymously, but I would urge you to at least put your name and state.)
Read and sign here. And please forward to anyone you know who cares about individuals with Down syndrome.
The text of the Petition will be sent to the National Down Syndrome Society and the National Down Syndrome Congress on World Down Syndrome Day 3-21, March 21, 2008. The deadline to sign the petition is March 20, 2008.
Posted in Disabilities, Down syndrome | Permalink
