The government has recently approved a new law that allows new screening in the womb, to encourage women whose babies are diagnosed with Down syndrome, to have an abortion (90% do already). Down Syndrome is not a disease, it’s just a condition that makes people look different, and be a bit slower to learn. This is not a condition to threaten the life of a child or mother, and would create a dangerous precedent in society. The tests themselves also carry a risk of miscarriage. If the law became the norm, it may create a society where no baby with Down Syndrome would ever be born, which many worry is sort of going into ‘ethnic’ cleansing’ territory.
What having a Down syndrome child isn’t (and I feel very strongly about this) is a tragedy. The picture people have of Down Syndrome is very outdated, based on the Wikipedia entry, a list of potential capabilities. But actually living with someone who has Down Syndrome is fantastic. It’s like living in a sitcom, a lot of the time. We go on holiday and Olly disappears on the baggage carousel. Where’s my child? And there is he coming round. It’s funny! Sally Phillips (mother and actress)
Down Syndrome is a condition when a child is born with an extra chromosome. It is not usually inherited (although adults with Down Syndrome have more chance of passing it on). Although the percentage is slightly higher in older parents, most babies with Down’s Syndrome are born to mothers under 35. The condition affects around 1 in 1000 babies, and most people lead healthy and happy lives, to 50 or 60 and beyond.
This is because Down Syndrome is not a disease; the only differences from other babies are usually a mild to moderate learning disability and slight differences in appearance (like a shorter neck, smaller features and slanting eyes). Patau’s Syndrome and Edwards’ Syndrome (also caused by extra chromosomes) are more serious, deeply affecting quality of life, with many babies not surviving the first year.
- Sunshine & Sustenance is a beautiful blog by a nurse and mother of a Down Syndrome child, with tips on plant-based lifestyles. She gave her baby powerhouse smoothies, as Indy journed through chemotherapy, who sadly died after a brave and valiant journey with cancer. Heartbreaking, but the blog remains as a memory and heaps of helpful information to other children.
- Veg World Mag has useful information on coping with diet and special needs. Chronic constipation is a common sympton of Down Syndrome, so ensure plenty of easy-to-digest fibre foods (easy on vegan food). Many people with Down Syndrome also have a milk protein allergy, linked to an increase in respiratory infections, so find safe and likeable plant-based alternatives.
- Bitty & Beau’s Coffee (US) is a small branch of coffee shops, started by the mother of four children, two have Down Syndrome. 80% of disabled people in the US are unemployed, but this shop employs over 100 staff with learning disabilities.
- If you are feeling overwhelmed or isolated, you can call Down Syndrome Association, a charity that offers friendly help and a chat.
- Ian Birrell is an award-winning political journalist who writes a lot on child welfare, as he and his wife are raising a disabled child. This article meets parents of children with Down Syndrome who say their warm, loving and funny offspring should be ’embraced for enriching society’, rather than ‘make the world more boring with this quest for perfection’.
