Wednesday, October 3, 2012

31 for 21 What If Wednesday: ESPN VIDEO

In the video below from ESPN, the mother of a child with Down syndrome asked herself briefly while pregnant: "What if I aborted her? What if I got rid of her?"

My Wednesday question:  What if everyone could know how wonderful it is to have a child with Down syndrome?  Just like with having any child, every day is not always sunshine and smiles.  There are tantrums and sick days and that's just Life.  But what if everyone knew that having a baby with Down syndrome is NOT a tragedy?
The answer, I think, is that those of us who do have children with DS would be able to skip the "emotional roller-coaster" (as Heath White calls it in the video below) of the initial diagnosis; and the heartbreak and guilt that comes with our first reactions to the news.  Also, I would hope that acceptance of our children from the medical community and society would be much improved!

This amazing video from ESPN details one father's story of reaching acceptance about his daughter having Down syndrome.  Air Force pilot, competitive runner, and FBI agent, Heath White talks about how he was changed by his daughter.  This is the most honest story I've ever heard about a father learning their unborn baby has Down syndrome.  If only he knew then what he knows now.




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