Quality of Life

Not sure if everyone saw the “viral” story about the Mother whose baby was diagnosed with Ds and the letter she sent to her OB who suggested abortion... 

Mom's Letter to OB

I had read this on a different website and made the mistake of reading comments made on the story... it was a punch in my gut. People were making mean, hurtful comments about special needs people draining resources, the parents will outlive their child, people commenting how they watched their parents lived sad lives, depleted from caring for their special needs siblings... It ruined my mood for the end of my week. 

I thought, “AM I being blind to what Hannah’s future will be? ARE my expectations too high?”

I also saw an OB’s response to this letter:

Ds Ethics

I do agree - expecting parents should always be presented with all the facts that come with Ds; slower development, therapies, possible medical complications. However, to say and assume that the baby and parents will have a low quality of life feels like a subjective statement and not necessarily true. 

Those with Ds are NOT always sick. They live to the average age of 60. The divorce rate for parents with a child with Ds is lower than the national average. 96% of siblings felt great affection and pride for their sibling with Ds. 

Then a third open letter came out from a woman and fellow Ds Mom whom I admire:

Rebuttal to the TIME OB article

I was shocked at this: “13 percent of doctors admitted to emphasizing the negative aspects of Down syndrome so parents would elect for termination.” Wow. 

A new baby shifts any family’s life. I think Tim and I can confidently say we don’t feel our quality of life is “low.” I think most of the families we know in the Ds community would agree. 

Hopefully more medical professionals can truly be unbiased, be up-to-date on their Ds facts and show a bit of compassion despite any family’s beliefs and background.

Memorial Day Weekend and Beyond

Trying to keep up!

Memorial Day weekend [Thursday] Tim and I went to Indy for a My Morning Jacket show [my favorite band since their debut back in 1998]. 

It was Tim and my first night out since my office holiday party on Dec. 11th - !! I couldn’t believe it. I even checked our calendar - yup. Whoops. 

It was a perfect night, loved being able to sit on a restaurant patio with a beer and just sit. 

Stayed across from The Colts stadium - HUGE!

At a state park in downtown Indy - they provided lawn seats!

My parents wonderfully spent the night at our house. Katherine stopped by to visit and did some amazing face swaps with her phone and sent them to us. I was crying laughing so hard - especially the Nora/Dad one! 

BWAAHAHAHAA!

This past weekend was [too] jammed: 

Saturday:
8am oil change
9-11am Champion siding consult
2:15 left to drop off girls at Krons so we could make a
4:30 wedding. Left the wedding at 
7pm to take advantage of IKEA with no children in tow! Left IKEA close to 
9pm and got a nightcap in downtown Milford

Sunday:
8am groceries. Tim left to get girls around
9:15 while I ran. He got home with girls at 
11:30am Then off to a friend’s birthday party at
1:30 Was tons of fun seeing people, albeit hot. Left party at 
4:30 and had to wake the girls up in the car. 

Hannah and her Bud, Stu.

5pm catnap on Mama!

Whew! Looking forward to an empty Father’s Day weekend!