Until a year or two back, I spent a lot of my summer Saturdays manning the historical society booth at the flea markets on the town common, and I passed many a pleasant quarter-hour or so chit-chatting with elderly ladies leading some now middle-aged simpleton child around. Both parties seemed to enjoy the occasion. The child is no doubt a ‘burden’: he was born because he just was; there was no ‘choice’ about it in those days. Having done away with those kinds of ‘burdens’ at birth, we’re less inclined to tolerate them when they strike in adulthood, as they did in Terri Schiavo’s case.
Mary Steyn ping. Another good article about the Schiavo case from Mark Steyn. Check out my previous post--I highlighted a very good point he makes.
One of my favorite books to read is written by Coach Gene Stallings and it is about his son Mark who was born with Down's Syndrome. He talks about the emotions involved with the birth of his son but that his life was filled with complete joy in raising him. Stallings left his job at Alabama University at it's peak because the health of his son was diminishing and he wanted him to be able to live longer and more comfortably. A friend of mine several years ago gave birth to a daughter who the doctors believed had down's. some of the tests pointed in that direction. The parents were sorrowful and worried. My friend said that that night the phone rang in the hospital room and it was Gene Stallings! He comforted her and told her how wonderful life was with his son and that everything would be alright for them. He said a prayer for them and then said good bye. Stallings did not know this couple but took time out to comfort them and does it with many families. It turned out that my friend's baby did not have down's the tests were wrong. But imagine if society decided that all babies tested with down's could be euthanized with in 24 hrs. of birth? Her beautiful girl would not be here. Nor would the families that have children they love with Down's get their beautiful little ones.