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NEWS: Jacqui Wise Another option for Down's syndrome screening available BMJ 2000; 320: 733a [Full text]

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Humans first; disabled second

Stella McLeod   (21 March 2000)

Humans first; disabled second 21 March 2000
Stella McLeod, Mother Home Send response to journal: Re: Humans first; disabled second	I am the adoptive mother of two girls with Down Syndrome. May I point out to your readers that people with Down Syndrome are first and foremost human beings. They are not "affected pregnancies". And while their early death through abortion may save the health system money I think both the parents of these children and society in general lose out by not giving these children a chance on life. Most parents of children with disabilities choose to raise the child themselves once they give birth, meet the baby and get over the initial shock. Those who do not wish to have the option of adopting or fostering their child out. My daughters do cause a certain amount of stress, but so do the professionals (medical and educational) that I have to deal with! My daughters also have many admirable qualities and I for one am inspired by their determination, their affection and their acceptance of others. I cannot help wondering how many people with Down Syndrome the researchers and advocates of pre-natal tests have actually met, and why people with disabilities are feared so much and considered of so little value before birth that they are disposed of so easily. I only wish all of the money spent on researching ways to eliminate the diabled before birth was spent on finding ways to cure or help them.