Richard has been watching several reruns from the 70’s. We were watching a “Quincy” with the topic of down syndrome and ignorance. It reminded me a bit of the controversy of abortion. My obstetrician had advised me (or maybe suggested) that I might want to consider an abortion given my age and the statistics that made it probable that I would be carrying a child with down syndrome.
I remember feeling resentment at the
suggestion. So what? If my child had down syndrome he or she would
still be a blessing to our family. God
entrusted the baby into my care and I would definitely care for him or
her. It wouldn’t have
mattered. I would have loved the child
regardless. We have been so blessed with
Jaime who does not have down syndrome.
Regardless of their physical appearance
or their ability to quickly process information, they are still human beings
with feelings and purpose. I rue the
ignorance of others who won’t
even try to understand or show compassion toward others regardless of
circumstance. Treat others in the same
manner that you would like to be treated.
The next Quincy that we watched featured
an individual with schizophrenia who was institutionalized and had escaped the
institution to return to the home of his family where he killed all family
members except for his mom who wasn’t present. He, of course, didn’t remember
doing it. It was another
personality. His lawyer was going to try
and get him off “due to
insanity” – really? We’re going to free someone because of
insanity? Doesn’t every act of
murder involve some degree of insanity?
And if that be the reason, wouldn’t that said individual be more of a
threat? People like that shouldn’t be set
free!
And yet, just as the down syndrome or
kabuki syndrome individual, they are all children of God. It’s not their fault they are mentally
out there – but I would
be in favor of aborting those who kill for the “sport” of it – those who have turned guns on
innocent people in Chicago, Texas, Las Vegas, Sandy Hooks . . . where does it end? I am in Favor of aborting those that turn out
like Hitler and Putan. But how do you
know? How do you know when they haven’t been born
yet?
So where do we draw the line? Who is it that decides who lives or dies? Or
how our tax money is spent? Why are we
putting them in prison and spending money to feed them? I mean the ones who have been caught in the
act of crime – although I
suppose most of those ended up turning the gun on themselves and now are having
to answer on the other side. I know that
mental illness exists. I have been hurt
by people who on experimental medication – though not physically. I wouldn’t want to kill or abort them because
overall they are good people who feel and care and show compassion – when they are
of sound mind to do so.
I don’t wish to sound as though I am
comparing the physical appearance, mentality, or syndromes to one another. My intent is to express how each of us is
human. Each of us has some kind of
challenge – though some
challenges seem more obvious than others.
If we each have a soul, don’t we deserve to exist without others
pointing fingers at us or making judgment calls (which I have done – obviously). Where do we draw the line?
