From First Things:
An Oregon couple is suing because a test missed that the child had Down syndrome, which had they known, would have resulted in their child’s abortion. From the story:In the months before their daughter was born in 2007, Deborah and Ariel Levy worried the baby might have Down syndrome. They say a doctor at the Legacy Center for Maternal-Fetal Medicine assured them that a sample of tissue taken from the placenta early in the pregnancy ruled out the developmental disability, despite the results of later testing that showed the fetus might have it. But within days of the birth of their daughter, the Southwest Portland couple learned the baby did have Down syndrome. Had they known, they say, they would have terminated the pregnancy. Now they’re suing in Multnomah County Circuit Court, seeking more than $14 million to cover the costs of raising her and providing education, medical care, and speech and physical therapy for their daughter, who turned 2 this month. The suit also seeks money to cover her life-long living expenses.
This couple wishes their Down syndrome child had been terminated. Down syndrome kids are way inconvenient, don't-ya-know. (Also, other kids with disabilities, and kids in general.)
Via Zach Nielsen
7 comments:
This is so sad. My brother in law has down syndrome, is 22, and I have serious doubts that his "bill" has come close to the $14 million mark. Everyone has a right to their opinion, but hearing stories like this just makes me really sad.
Aaron, I hear ya.
Beyond the choice/life rhetoric are millions of stories. Involving real people.
I cannot get beyond the bottom line decision making of determining which lives are "worth it" and which ones aren't. Stories like this put real life skin on those decisions, I think.
In the event that those that chose to go the "abortion" route make it to heaven... I really wonder what the conversation will be like with the one(s) that were aborted....
Perhaps that's oversimplification... as I've understood that everything will be so different on that side of eternity.... but I can't help thinking that maybe there are "tears" in heaven....
cel
I seriously think that instead of shelling out a $14 million lawsuit, that child services should take the kid away. The parents obviously don't want her, and better she find out now rather than later that her parents are suing the government because she was allowed to be born. Actually, the parents might as well walk into their child's bedroom and shoot her in the head themselves. Would that really be any different than aborting her?
No, I don't think it would. But of course legally it is. :-/
I feel kind of weird saying this, but I sort of wish this girl's disability is severe enough that she won't understand the implications of what her parents are doing. But that would only make their resentment and bitterness worse, probably.
I guess I should pray gospel there, and hope her disability isn't severe, that she is strong and exceedingly capable and as sweet as all Down syndrome affected folks are and thereby unwittingly shames her parents that they didn't want her, all the way into their repentance and love for her.
It's my understanding that this couple has two other children...I wonder how this will effect them...just really sad all the way around.
Interesting that the parents didn't consider adoption, since a long waiting list exists consisting of couples willing to adopt children with even the most profound disabilities.
Lesley
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