If you don't know, there was a report that came out this week that in Iceland 100% of babies with a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis are aborted. They are not alone. Denmark, Netherlands and other countries are close behind. In America the percentage is still high at 67%. This morning, I was reading an opinion piece further exploring this report and that encouraged more awareness be brought to the discussion so that more women choose life. I scrolled through the comments expecting outrage at Iceland and crying emojis for all the babies who never had a chance to show the world how awesome they are. Not so. Instead I was met with comments like this:
"... if it's a personal choice to knowlingly [bring a child with Down syndrome into the world], what is society's obligation? Seems that it has implications to people outside the immediate family so it really is a bigger issue. Right now, people who have disabled children get public money to be a parent. (editor's note: Really? We haven't received a single dollar since Elliot was born. That's news to me.) That is wrong if society has no say."
"A fetus has NO awareness. Bringing a severely handicapped child into the world when you knew far before to the point of viability is nothing more than selfish cruelty inflicting unimaginable suffering to salve your own conscience. You get a bad egg you throw it away and start again."
"My taxes are through the roof because my kids' schools are filled with special education teachers, or because kids are being bussed out of district to special needs schools. The cost for 'special' children is a burden on us all, especially our children and the schools... It's too much."
That's just a sampling. The more I scrolled, the more I cried. It was like a train wreck I couldn't draw my eyes away from. I was telling a friend earlier this week that I felt like ever since Elliot was born, we've been so fortunate to live in kind of a bubble. Since I stay home, he's not in daycare and the only people we really see are family and friends who have all fallen in love with Elliot. I told her I was nervous about what public school this year will bring.
And for a moment, reading these comments, all I could think was there is going to be some parent at my kids' school that will see Elliot and only think about his tax dollars and how he's not worth it because he's "suffering" anyway. My next thought was... well, I have a lot more work to do then.
My son should not be reduced to a dollar sign. He is a little boy filled with potential. He loves dinosaurs. He loves to paint. He loves to throw balls. He loves to terrorize his sister. He gives the best hugs and is the first to offer a smile. And with the loving support of his family and an inclusive education, he will become a productive member of society. Sounds pretty much just like any other kid, doesn't he? This isn't 1960, people! The outlook for people with Down syndrome has changed. Unfortunately, perceptions have not.
Elliot is not suffering. He is LOVED beyond measure. Yes, he has health concerns we have to monitor. Yes, he has therapy appointments weekly. Some weeks it's hard. But you know what? Some weeks my five-year-old daughter and her attitude are hard!
We need to ask ourselves what gives a life value? Chromosome counts? Skin color? Academic success? Athletic ability? No, a life has value because it's a life and we are all image bearers of God.
The elderly woman in the nursing home? Image bearer of God.
The immigrant trying to put food on the table? Image bearer of God.
The African-American boy walking down the street? Image bearer of God.
The little girl with almond-shaped eyes? Image bearer of God.
The prison inmate? The CEO of a major company? Your Muslim neighbor? YOU YOURSELF?
All image bearers of God and ALL worthy of the breath in their lungs!
Hitler prescribed to eliminating people with disabilities, too, you know. And the entire world rallied against him. And I will continue to rally against that thinking by sharing Elliot's life with the world. Down syndrome isn't a tragedy, but outdated information and close-minded thinking are. It hurts my heart there are people out there that view my son as a burden. It literally brought tears to my eyes today. But, at the very least, it gives further fuel to my fire to stand for life, education and opportunities for people with Down syndrome.
