This is not a political stance.
Frankly, I don't have one.
I have opinions on issues, but not party lines.
So, with that respect - I wanted to post this link to a portion of CBS's Evening News last night. (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4437975n - I will post it as a video later...)
Sarah Palin's nomination has allowed the media to take a closer look on families with special needs children. There was an excellent report given last night on the way parents are treated when they choose to continue with a pregnancy of a chromosomally abnormal child.
Many of you know, I was counseled to abort Deakon several times, and given several options on how to do it. I was told he would not have any kind of quality of life, and that I was doing a diservice to him and my family by bringing him into this world. After, I gave her (Yes, my doctor was female) my absolute decision to have Deakon, I was patronized. I was sent via email, two ridiculous research articles done on aborted fetuses who had been given the same diagnosis as Deakon. There was no medical literature (that they would help me find)on children who had been born - and if I were to find some, I was told, "That would not be the case with your son. He will die." In fact, my original specialist sent a different doctor to see me on my last visit to her office. I guess we had a mutual feeling of disgust for one another.
I have since learned that Perionatlogists are trained to offer abortion of a choromosomally abnormal child as being the only logical decision. They often don't even bring up any other options, or offer resources. Because of that, more than 2/3 of the children are aborted.
I am not judging those who choose differently than I. I empathize with them. We are told such horrendous things about our babies, that it is almost a harder decision to continue with our pregnancies. My life would not be the same without my Deakon. He has brought sense to a world that I often don't understand; and any hardships that have come along with him will be endured, and okay.
So, Sarah Palin's nomination, even if you may not agree with her politically, has done one thing right. It has created a voice for a minority of people in our country who teach us more about feeling human than I ever knew existed.
11 comments:
Thanks for sharing, I loved this post. You're amazing.
Wow is all I can say...
I think she is a really neat lady. Thanks for the post!
I still get incredibly angry when I think about DR. EVIL. I LOVE that Deak proves her wrong on a daily basis.
I didn't know that about your awful doctor. I can't believe it... and I am absolutely shocked by the numbers of abortions and lack of information/support given out. Seriously, I had no idea.
I actually really like Sarah Palin! And I missed that interview. I can't wait till Deak makes history as a Nascar driver, and makes a visit to that doctor at the hospital.
Well could you have spoken up tonight I was doing the Palin battle all by myself!!! I was also counseled to abort; not quite to the same extent. For me I just go a little crazy when people put limits on Remy or when they put limits on me because I have special needs child. GO PALIN!
Awareness is definitely the first step to change!! Great post Jenny! Thanks a ton for sharing! Good thing you had another "voice" speaking to you as to what to do when faced with such a hard decision!
I am amazed. I cannot imagine your family, our ward and this world with out Deakon. He has such a sweet and tender spirit. I adore him and you for making such a courageous decision! Thank you for sharing! Thank you for coming to the party!!!! I am bummed that you are selling your house!....Don't do it! Stay!
My story isn't the same, I just had people close to us telling us to back out of Lily's adoption because she wasn't healthy. And I definitely know about people treating you differently. I need to watch that video.
Jenny,
You make a fabulous point, and I love your insight. I can't wait to use this in my dealings with the haters.
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