Would you have allowed Bill Gates to be born?

[AngieDoogles]

I thought this was a very interesting article so I decided to share it with you.

Click here. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7899821)

[goofywife]

Interesting article.

[Tink]

I would have, simply because I don't believe in abortion. Medicine is NOT an exact science, so regardless of the prognosis, I prefer to take life as it comes.

When we were in the hospital having our youngest, a couple we know were in the hospital waiting for their baby to die. She had had a stroke at 3 weeks of age and wasn't showing much in the way of brain waves. We went in to meet their daughter, and talk with them while they waited for her to pass after they'd disconnected her from life support.

That little girl is now 19 yrs old. She has major problems, but is the light of her daddies life. He has and will continue to care for her. Her Mom couldn't handle the stress and left many years ago. The Drs were wrong... as they sometimes are, and her Daddy is very happy to have her. Even "special" kids are blessings.

[AngieDoogles]

I would have, simply because I don't believe in abortion.

I agree completely!

On a side note, my older brother has cerebral palsy and he brings SO much joy into our lives, it's unbelievable. I can't imagine life without him and I'd hate to think that someone would lose that joy simply because they don't want to deal with a child who has a medical condition...

Also, the doctors said over and over that my little brother was going to have down syndrome when my mom was pregnant with him. He was born healthy and happy and he's now a typical 16 year old boy...

[Janet]

YES, everyone somewhere, somehow contributes something whether we believe it or not.

[DianaB]

--It seems like everything I try to write today sounds choppy, so bear with me. I'll blame it on hormones, like I always do!!!--

I don't believe abortion is the answer to our problems because I believe that in having one it just opens the door to other problems. In finding out that an unborn baby has down's syndrome or is autistic is no reason to jump to the conclusion of abortion. There are so many varying degrees of these problems. Some people with Down's syndrome can actually function pretty normally, while some can have minimal function. The same is true with autism. I know it's hard to have children with these problems but these kids are usually a blessing to those who are around them.

I had a great aunt who had Down's syndrome and was just the sweetest person. She was mentally about the age of 6-7 years old and she lived with her sister, who also was a foster parent for several other's with Down's syndrome. So I was around several kids.

Bill Gates is a wonderful example of why we shouldn't turn to abortion so we can have the "perfect" child. I'm sure that his mother has no regrets.

[Tink]

One thing I've always been proud of in my little town is the way our community includes people with "differences". We have had several kids with downs syndrome and other disorders born and grow up here and they're as much a part of the community as anyone else. Several have been able to help on city sports teams, are included in all sorts of jobs in community events, and they're looked out for by all of us.
Jimmy was one of 7 kids, and is in his 40's now, with abilities of about a 6 yr old. His parents have now passed, and he lives with one of his sisters. He can usually be found walking around town just visiting with people.
Sherry is everybodies sweetheart. She has an uncanny ability to remember names and faces. She makes sure to hug you hello and goodbye and always asks about your family members. She likes to hang out at the pool and parks and helps with the younger kids.
Amy passed a couple years ago from heart problems. She was in her late 40's and had one of the largest turn outs I've ever seen at a funeral. She always had a smile on her face and was SO happy to see you. I'm sure she made a lot of peoples days better over the years just by being herself.

I don't think anyone sees any of them as a burden or unworthy of life. If those thoughts were voiced, I'm sure they'd be shot down quickly by others who value the hugs and smiles we've gotten.

[judy]

I agree with all of you. I don't personally believe that abortion is right, but I do believe in choice. I don't want to impose my values on others in that area. I believe that life begins at conception, but not everybody does, and what others do is their business.

I also have had students with Asperger's and a few autistic children (one went to college because he was so nurtured and loved by his family and teachers!), at least one young man with cerebral palsy, several mentally retarded students, and lots of
students with "special needs," which covers a gamut of disabilities. My own daughter has MS. I have loved each one of these children (well - maybe I could have spent less time with some of the more difficult behavior problems, but usually that's the life of a teacher).

The world would NOT be a better place if all "imperfections" were genetically bred out. I always felt these kids are called "special" because they are, and they are a gift to us so that we can expand our hearts and learn to love those we might not connect with immediately. In the end, we become better people, and that is the blessing we are given.

[Mandy]

I agree with all of you. Special people hold a special place in this world, i have a lot of time for them!