Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Rant for the Day

I am having to take it easy for today, since I had the CVS test yesterday. To say that we are anxiously awaiting the results of that test would be an understatement.

Anyway, I am of the opinion that knowledge is power, and that you can never know too much about any one topic. Example, when Chad was having so many problems with his blood sugar (for you newbies, my husband is a Type 1 diabetic with associated hypoglycemic unawareness) I inundated myself with knowledge and information about the disease, and what we needed to be doing to make Chad's life a much better. When it came time to purchase an insulin pump, I again turned to the trusty internet, and soaked myself in message boards, websites, and blogs, to discover the pump that would work best for Chad's needs.

So, since I have not hardly been allowed to leave the couch (Chad is a hard task master when he wants to be), I have been working my google fingers. I was researching the most common chromosomal disorders associated with cystic hygroma. I am not researching these things to be a martyr, or so that I can say "woe is me", if and when a diagnosis is made. I want to be PREPARED. I want to be informed and ready for what the Lord has in store for us. In 2 Timothy 2:15, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

I know the application here is to study the word of God, and to inbed God's words on our hearts. But, while I was sitting on the couch(watching Dr. Phil actually) this verse came to mind. In short, I believe the more that you know about a situation, the more informed decisions that you can make.

OK, here's my rant. I ran across an article about Sarah and Todd Palin, and their son Trig. Trig has Down's Syndrome, and the article was about them bringing a public eye to Down's Syndrome, in a world where more and more parents chose to terminate any pregnancy that is not "normal". The following is a quote/comment following that article. I read this quote, and I think my blood pressure must have spiked, because now I have a headace.

It turns indeed the wrong spotlight on down syndrome. I believe it to be an almost criminal act that when you find out (which is real easy these days) your baby will have down syndrome to go ahead and have the baby anyway. This is not only incredibly selfish, but ultimately it will be the state and taxpayers who will have to take car of that baby. This child will have a miserable and unproductive life at best and no religion in the world can make that any better. In this case pro-life is not much different than being pro torture.

How is bringing a God ordained (because only He chooses what lives are conceived) life into this world a criminal act? How is this an incredibly selfish act? How is a parent that uses state or federal resources to help enable a disabled child to live a better life, more of a criminal than the parent that physically, sexually, or verbally abuses their children? Why is this person, or any other person for that matter, allowed to decide that a life is miserable of unproductive at best? How is any life unproductive? And, finally how can pro-life(which obviously I am) be compared to pro-torture? GROWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has our societies view of life really become this skewed? My baby may not be perfect(which none of us are by the way), or even "normal", but it is still a precious life that God has chosen to give to Chad and me. Regardless of the CVS results, or results of any of the tests to come, I will love and care for this child with all of the love and joy that I have for Clayton. Nothing can change that. Ever.

I am so aggravated right now. Not at our situation or circumstances, but at other people that would view us as criminals, or as irresponsible parents.

I need a bottle of chocolate syrup, STAT!!!!!!!!!!

16 comments:

Jamie Lynn said...

Nikki dear you know how I feel about Down's Syndrome so I know that you know how angry that just made me too! I feel ya sister!!

People are ridiculous.

Kids with Downs or any other type of disorder are better people than the person who wrote that and the people who agree with it ever thought about being.

for real.
i have my own little soapbox...

Frugal Jen said...

That is completely "rant worthy"! I agree with you 100%.

I really like that you are outspoken on your views. So many people these days just go along with the way society is moving and don't speak when something is morally wrong.

~Ashlea~ said...

We don't know each other, and will most likely never meet this side of Heaven. I have only recently found your blog and started reading it. I can't even imagine how you must feel about all that's going on, and you and your family will be in my prayers.

I also wanted to tell you that it is so refreshing to read the truth spoken so boldly. I completely agree with how you feel on this subject. I know many people who do feel the same way as well, but would back down if they felt they might offend someone. God tells us to stand up for what we know is right and not to be ashamed of Jesus. So, you just keep on spreading the word and don't back down for anyone.
May God bless and keep you in the shelter of his arms always!

Unknown said...

Well said Nikki!

Abby Normal said...

i agree. this kind of thing is ridiculous. who would terminate a pregnancy because of Down's? i could sympathize if they were terminating the pregnancy because there was a serious, life threatening problem; but not for something like this. God has trusted you with one of his special children and you are blessed.

Simply Donna...... said...

You go girl!! Do I need to come over and check your blood pressure? Plum said to calm down shehe is resting. Shhhhh, calmmmmm, restttttt......
Love ya, see ya tomorrow.

Erin Parker said...

I came to your blog through Kelly's Korner and just had to comment.

I don't know if people know or understand history, but I'm a historian, and I know and try to understand it. It sounds a lot like 1930s/40s Germany in that comment. So many pro-choice people believe that if the baby is not 100% healthy, then it is the parents duty to abort, because it is unfair to the child and that the child will become a drain on society. I'm pretty sure that's what the Nazis were saying before they put into practice their euthanization program of the mentally/physically handicapped. What's the difference? I guarantee you, though, that if confronted with this fact, those same commenters would completely deny it. It's just a new movement in eugenics.
I'm sorry if this seemed completely out of place, but this is not the first time I've seen people comment like that about perfect, little babies.
I really hope that all things turn out well for you and will continue to follow your blog, and hope that maybe I helped to give you some ammunition in case you have to personally confront this.
Rant away, my friend.

Erin Parker said...

Oh yeah, and I have personally been blessed by kids with Down's Syndrome. They are some of the sweetest, most thoughtful people in the world.

Preachersgirl3491 said...

I love you and your little Plum and he or she is perfect in our eyes no matter what. This person that wrote this is obviously super unselfish and loving. Blah blah blah!

Tracy said...

You tell them girl! God has placed his special baby in your care for a reason. No matter what baby Plum is going to go through in his/her life, one thing is for certain, he/she will have a wonderful mommy to take care of him. I am praying for you, I know tomorrow will be a long day for you. If you need anything just let me know!! Love u!

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

:) This is a HUGE rant of mine. My daughter Kennedy has Down syndrome and she is the cutest, most loving sweet girl in the WHOLE world. Seriously. I mean, really, who couldn't want HER?!I am like you, I want to be informed! We didn't know Kennedy had Ds until she was born and we scrambled for as much info as possible!! We are still praying for those results!!! You're doing GREAT! :)

Monica said...

On March 10th I gave birth to a child with Trisomy 13 (Downs is trisomy 21). Even though we only had him for six days the impact he has made on our lives is significant and a gift from God. It was not torture. It was his life. He was loved and cared for (and not by the taxpayers), and in return he taught us so much. I really feel sorry for anyone who feels this way, they are missing out on some amazing people who can truly touch their lives and make them a better person.

Brittany and Charlie-Social Butterfly said...

That is a horrible outlook! Use your story or stand to change peoples opinions! I am praying for the results!

Me said...

I am so angry with you. A huge sore spot with me.

My 4 year old daughter has Down syndrome. While I didn't know until the day after she was born, she would still be here had I known pre-natally.

She is not a "torture" in our life by any stretch of the imagination. She is amazing, and awesome, and I just love her to pieces. Sadly though, because of people like this (and advancing technology), the 90% termination rate for kids with DS will rise even higher.

I could go on about this for days, but I won't.

I have been following your blog for about a week or so now, and you are such a strong, and beautiful person. Whatever the outcome of the CVS, this baby is so lucky to have a mom like you.

Adrienne said...

I've commented on here before and as I've said we learned that our son, due in 3 weeks has DS. Don't even get me started on this comment, I've read it before as well. Not sure if you are aware but the termination rate is 90% for women that find out their unborn child has DS. It's ridiculous! Again, I hope your little baby turns out to be just fine but I'm so glad that you have made the choice to love him/her and bring them into the world no matter what!

Cathy said...

Hi Nikki! Glad to hear you're recovering from your procedure.

I too had a baby this past September - and was told that she probably had downs syndrome. Her femurs were short - her nuchal fold was thicker... and I prepared myself for the worst - while thanking God they didn't see anything wrong with her heart.

When Abby was born - once I saw her - I believed she DID have downs syndrome. I could see it in her eyes. Everyone else said she looked "fine" and "normal"... including her pediatritian.

For the first month of her life - I believed she had downs syndrome based on her in utero diagnosis and her somewhat upwardly slanted eyes.

I made peace with it - I loved her. I loved her and I loved her some more.

She is 7 months old now and has no signs of having downs syndrome. I never had a genetic test done because it did not matter either way. She was healthy - and that was all that mattered to me.

I hope you find peace with your situation too - and I wanted to tell you that you NEVER know what the end result will be. God is amazing and works miracles every day!!!