It has been quite tiring lately, Baby Malcolm likes to nurse and he likes to do it frequently. He also likes to be close to mom and knows when he is not, he pops up immediately. My own fault because I always want to be next to him, too.
He is just so darn cute and cuddly and I couldn't imagine not having him in my life. The sad part about his condition ( Down Syndrome) is that 90% of children who are diagnosed during pregnancy with DS are aborted.
These sweet precious children are not even given the chance to take their first breath. Who is responsible for making mothers of children with DS feel their children are disposable and not worthy of being loved ? Is it the Ob/Gyns, the genetic counselors? I do not know because I chose to wait and see until my son was born. I'm glad it turned out that way because my heart fell deeper in love with him the moment I laid eyes on him.
Women are encouraged these days to be doctors, lawyers, astronauts, etc. , but we are counseled against our own feminine natures against being protectors and nurturers of our own babies. Women are not by nature ones who have the mentality of, " survival of the fittest" and it is up to us stop this " culture of death".
Any job we take on in life is going to have its challenges, its ups and its downs and sometimes life can be frightening. Each child whether disabled or not can have health problems, learning problems, or die of some kind of illness. I think taking each day one at a time can solve a multitude of problems.
Remembering that we are all made in God's image and likeness is the focus that is needed to stop such an atrocity as abortion. How could society be so advanced and so barbaric at the same time. "Let the children come to me",Jesus said. I can't even imagine being without Malcolm and yet 90% of women have been cheated out of their precious lil' ones.
Sometimes my mind gets in the way of my spirit and I start to worry about all these things that haven't even happened yet but then I pray and ask God to help me reign in my imagination. I ask Him to help me live in the moment and not to be afraid and He pours out His love upon me and allows me to love as he does without condition. Without Him none of this would be possible. I am so thankful for His protection and for Malcolm's, he is part of the 10% who was allowed to live.
I too have the hardest time with the 92%, 2 3/4 years later. New information like www.downsyndromepregancy.com and being in the community with our kids and on Facebook with 300+ friends DOES move us forward every day toward reducing this horror. It MUST!
Be brave and strong and love that little guy, watch his weight--it's so tough to eat with low tone! My son was still under ten pounds at six months. Take care and let's connect!
Welcome to the DS group, I think it's a blessing to have you join us. We are glad to have your strong faith to guide us.
Posted by: P | June 04, 2011 at 06:00 AM
The medical community certainly has a hard sell for the facts of life I believe, we were pretty much coerced unprofessionally into an amnio (which we DECLINED anyway) but I think genetic counselors can use plenty of additional training too and OBs and nurses MUST get much more comfortable with the concept of DS when a healthy child is born.
The DS associations are not always contacted but should do outreach for the uncertain cases like mine (high risk no amnio) and getting referrals during that waiting for genetic testing at birth period. Why not educate in case anyway?!! There is little to fear and lots of interesting things to learn either way--people with DS do great thanks to excellent medical care and therapy!
I think more support at birth about understanding and future is thankfully provided to the many babies with DS who are in need of NICU care but none if healthy!?!!
Posted by: P | June 04, 2011 at 06:11 AM