+382 it's horrible that some doctors will suggest abortion if there is a chance your baby is going to be autistic or mentally challenged or anything else along those lines. as if you won't love it just as much, amirite?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Really!? that IS horrible.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You know what's more horrible than killing something that, for the record, has no emotions or thoughts? Letting it grow up and suffer for the rest of it's life.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

agreed. Just cause a parent doesn't want to see their child suffer everyday of its damn life doesn't make them a bad person.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Who says the child is going to be suffering the entire time? Like everyone they will have hard times but I've never met someone who was mentally handicapped that wasn't generally happy with their life. And then there are the rare cases that the doctor is wrong. Like mine, he told my mom to abort me because I was going to be handicapped but my mom decided not to.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Although I can nearly see where they're coming from, in some cases - like if the mother would be hard-pressed to care even for a healthy child, if she has no resources whatsoever - but still.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

if she doesn't have the means to care for a child, why is she having sex in the first place?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Well, yeah. But to a well family that could afford it.. like, " We'll take this problem off your hands."

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's because it's much more expensive to take care of a child with special needs. If a parent can't afford to have a special needs child, abortion might be their only option. However, I've never heard of a doctor suggesting an abortion for autistic or mentally handicapped children, only for stuff that is harmful for the child or mother, like Tay Sachs,a disease that would kill the child of a slow and painful death when they are a toddler or young child.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yeah I agree. I mean if the family can't afford it.... it's definitely an option. I know a family that has an autistic daughter and a healthy son, and they aren't doing the best. And honestly, there are some families that really wouldn't want a mentally challenged child. Those people... I can see their viewpoint, but they are horrible.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

The amniotic fluid can be tested for such disorders, so an abortion can be done as early as possible, if so desired-i know you still disagree but it sounds better than late term. Though, you do not have to agree-It still isnt right for you to say they are horrible people, when you dont know what kind of situation they are living in. It would also be more horrible watching a child with tay sachs die slowly in front of you.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I think they meant people who could perfectly afford having a slightly mentally-disabled child, but decided to abort it because they didn't like the idea of it? That's what I got from it, anyway.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You are really in no position to say that those people "are horrible" because they don't want a mentally challenged child. Most people who feel that way do so because they can't imagine bringing a mentally challenged child into a world such as this where they really will live a pretty terrible and unfortunate life. Parents would find it extremely difficult to watch their child go through that. From what I can see, that's the feeling of most people who don't want a mentally disabled child. They don't want to bring a child into a world that doesn't allow them to have quality jobs, doesn't allow them to go to regular classes, and is filled with people who discriminate (or at best ignore) them.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Actually I disagree with you. What if your mentally challenged or autistic daughter turns out to love life? What if she is only slightly autistic? What if she overcomes her autism? What if the doctor was wrong or made a mistake? I believe abortion is never an option. I mean, what gives one person the right to decide who lives and who dies? People who don't want a mentally challenged child are horrible for not accepting their child for who they are and not wanting them. You created it and you need to love it and not kill it. And just so you know, my brother is severely mentally challenged and he loves his life and we love him. Yes, he does make life difficult sometimes and his needs are a little expensive, but I couldn't imagine my life without him.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Why should an unborn fetus have more rights than the women that is pregnant with him/her? You will never understand how hard it is to make that kind of decision until you are forced to take one. Don't judge. Do you think it is easy for them to make that decision, that they just walk into the clinic and walk out feeling perfectly fine? Don't judge a person until you've walk a mile in his (or her in this case) shoes

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I don't think that unborn fetuses have more rights than the mother. They both should have equal chances at life. I never said it was easy for a woman to walk out of am abortion clinic, because it shouldn't be, they just killed someone... and not just anyone, their own flesh and blood. People shouldn't make children, if they can't handle the possibility that their child might be mentally challenged. (If the woman was raped, it a somewhat different story) I'm not judging, by the way. You can tell people that what they are doing is wrong, without judging them. I know its a hard choice, but how can you chose death for your child?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

"I believe abortion is never an option. I mean, what gives one person the right to decide who lives and who dies?" I agree with you for most of your points, however wouldn't you rather the child being unborn than being in a house with no love, being neglected? I agree that people shouldn't make children without considering this point, but we are in 2010; people do not think things thoroughly. Like I said, I agree with you. I just believe that women should have this option open, just in case. Having a child with Autism or who is mentally challenged cannot be easy, but it must not become a burden. People are selfish these days, they think mostly of themselves.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Normally I'd continue to argue, but I'm in a good mood. Anyways, one last disagreement....I disagree with what you said about us being in 2010 so it's ok to abort babies. Does the fact that we are in an immoral culture completely throw the difference between right and wrong out the window? And it's not just you, lots of people use that excuse and I hate it. Just because the world tells you it's right DOES NOT make it right! How can culture triumph over ethics?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Whoa, I am not saying that since it is 2010 people should abort babies. I'm saying, this is 2010, people do not think before acting. Resulting in more abortions. Believe me, I do not support abortions if it is used as a form of birth control.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

People can hardly justify not wanting a mentally challenged child. If I had one, I would be a little disappointed, but I wouldn't ever think of aborting it. The only reason most people won't admit is because they are intolerant of mentally challenged people. Like above says, what if they only turn out to be slightly autistic? What if they aren't "as mentally challenged" as the doctor said they would? It's wrong to turn down a child because they are mentally challenged.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I really dont think there is ever any reason to have an abortion, even when your raped or something. I cant even imagine having to make the choice between my own life and my baby's life

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Personally, I don't think it's horrible. I understand why you could say that they are horrible, but you can't just think of the parents. I mean, the parents, even if they'd love the child more perhaps, it would still have a hard time in life, with work, social etc. I wouldn't want a child who was handicapped, not because I wouldn't love it or whatever but because it wouldn't have a normal life, live normal things. But that's just my opinion, don't get all pissed off please :).

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I feel exactly the same.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I can understand what you're saying here, but I still think it's pretty bad. Sure, the child won't be able to live as other completely healthy children live, but they won't know or understand that--most children don't let their disabilities get in the way of having fun. But I can honestly see what you're saying; some things that they can't do in life may really bother them.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Agreed. It would not only be difficult for the mother to watch her child go through a life like that, but also it would be extremely difficult for the child as well. It would be a hard choice to make, but I think it's good that the doctor gives mothers options so she can make the best choice for her and her child.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Eveyone is looking at this from the mothers point of but look at it from the childs. Would you really want to put a child through the pains of beening autistic If they had anouther option

by Anonymous 13 years ago

and by another option, you mean death.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Death (or in this case, lack of being born) = no pain/sufferingMentally challenged/terminal illness/etc = pain/suffering/sadness/possible neglect/lack of acceptance Obviously that's not always true in every case, but it is kinda true...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Wow, the layout of that got messed up! O_O

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Its not horrible. Its a doctor's job to present all options,which he does. If the parents are sure that they would love it just as much, they opt to keep it. However, there are parents who are not ready for it and may treat the child as a burden.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Strange thing; a crippled unborn child can be killed without a thought, but once the kid is in the world it's twenty years to life for killing it, no matter how broken or how expensive. Something is wrong with this picture.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

The difference is: A crippled 20 year old is completely alive, no debate about it. A crippled foetus, however, may or not be technically "alive". I personally think it wouldn't qualify as being alive, because it lacks the ability to think, or to breathe independently. Technically (well, okay, in my opinion), a plant would be more alive than a foetus/unborn baby, because a plant can breathe by itself, and can take in nutrients without having to be connected to (and essentially a part of) another living thing.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

well, the definition of the word alive is: to have life. The definition of the word life is: to be in existence. Therefore, a fetus is alive and has life.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

According to your theory, my chair is alive and so is the shirt I'm wearing, and so is everything else in existence, apparently. Btw the definition of a living thing is: Living things are made of cells. Living things obtain and use energy. Living things grow and develop. Living things reproduce. Living things respond to their environment. Living things adapt to their environment. I'm not against you here, because I think fetuses are somewhat alive, but you're not helping yourself...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's not a horrible thing, and it has nothing to do with loving the child less. Because a mother loves her child so much no matter what, it would be unbearably difficult for her to watch her child go through a life like that of a disabled person. It would definitely be a hard choice to decide whether to keep your child from having to go through that or to have the baby and try to provide the best life possible even with its disability. The doctor is only giving the mother options.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I know this is a touchy issue, but I have to point out a few things: 1) I've never heard of abortion suggested for an autistic child. Mild autism can be barely noticable, even. I've only heard it suggested for conditions in which it would be unlikely for a child to ever live an independent life, or to even live past childhood, such as spina bifida and down's syndrome. Secondly, you kids need to ask yourselves... would *you* want to live that way? As an eternal child, needing someone to feed, dress, and wipe your ass your whole life? Barely able to comprehend the simplest things around you? Why would you condemn someone else to that? And lastly... if you've never had to care for a special needs child, your opinion is irrelevant. You have no idea what it's like, and it's not signing up for the usual 18-20 years of hands-on parenthood; it's a lifetime thing. The whole rest of your life, centering around that child, who may never even understand your love, or experience most of ...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I agree that people who never had to care for someone with special needs, your opinion is irrelevant. But I'd like to make the point that the special needs person wouldn't be able to see the world like you. They wouldn't know that the life they are living is different or sad. My brother is mentally retarded and had cerebral palsy and he often says how he likes being in a wheel chair and having his mother and family take care of him. (Although he probably doesn't know what he's saying) But who are you to say that someone would rather be dead than to live with constant help? I'd rather be alive and experience this life than not be in existence.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

... what life has to offer... or, you can have them institutionalized at great expense, and have to wonder if they're being abused all the time(very common). What I'm trying to say is; get off your ignorant, moralistic high horses, people... most of you don't have a clue what it's like to take care of yourselves, let alone another person.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

my brother has autism, and he turned out just fine. my parents were told it would be severe, but guess what? he goes to normal school, has friends--and even though he's different, he's still so cool. hard to take care of? sure. worth it? of course.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

If you read BadKitteh's comment above this one, he starts off by saying that he's never heard of abortion suggested for an autistic child. I've worked with numerous children who have autism and they are capable of living happy, meaningful lives. However, as Badkitteh said earlier, if a fetus is diagnosed with an illness that would not only take away their independence and quality of life, but also cause them extreme pain and suffering...a disease that would even cause them to die during childhood...then a lot of parents would agree that it is better, not for the parents, but for the CHILD, not to bring that child into a life of pain. I do agree with you that parents should not give up on children who are diagnosed with autism...some of the brightest, most inspiring kids I know are autistic...and I think that your family is very brave to take on that challenge. I just wanted to point out that BadKitteh was not referring to autism in his post.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Abortion is a bit far, but my cousin is autistic and 21, he is stonger than his parents and when he gets angry he punches or hurts them And his parents both work and they sometimes have no choice but to leave him with my 71 year old grandmother, who couldn't defend herself and has her house ruined. He cuts vacuum wire, he writes on her walls, and tries to drink chemicals and alcohol. I completely understand the toll it takes on not only the family, but the child itself.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

So you think that if someone was pregnant at age 14 because they were raped, they should be forced to deliver the baby? That's awful!

by Anonymous 13 years ago

missing the point...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

They said it to the person who said "I really dont think there is ever any reason to have an abortion, even when your raped or something." so they're not really missing any point... If they'd said it in response to the post, then yeah, they would be missing the point. :)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Its not because the mother won't love it. Its because most people who are mentally disabled suffer a lot, and many don't even get to live long. Its trying to avoid that suffering for both the child and the mother

by Anonymous 13 years ago

it's not for or about the mother, it's about the child. BadKitteh is right! most if you are trying to turn this into a debate about abortion--this isn't about abortion.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

well the doctors told my freinds parents befor she was born that se was going to have down syndrome and instead of an abortion they had the child and now she is alive and DIDnt in fact have any thing worung the same thing happened with her brother, so they would have killed a perfectly healthy child.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

When i know and addmit it that i would not want to raise a challenged child. now some of you have to admit it cuz put yourself in their positon is that what you want? no its probly not. I think it takes a amazing person to have the patience to raise a challenged child and i admire all those that do, but i know myself enough to know that i could never do that, dont call me heartless because its my opinion (badkitteh) is right as always, i agree

by Anonymous 13 years ago

My little brother is autistic, and he is the best brother any one could ever have. I don't know what I'd do without him--I can't even IMAGINE what it would be like if he'd been aborted. Most amazing person EVER. Even if it's difficult to raise a mentally challenged child, you still love them with all of your heart and so much more...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I, personally, would not have the strength or money, for that matter, to take care of a mentally disabled child. There's nothing wrong with aborting a baby who has the possibility of living a severely crippled life. That child can't make the choice for itself, because its a fetus. You, as the parent, its one and ONLY life support, must make that choice. Some people can't bear the thought, but if it is as inhumane as you CLAIM would it still be a process used today? Legally?? Come on, guys. Get off your pro-life horse. It's unfair, honestly.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I have no reply button! =P Um, person who got offended because they have an autistic brother; the first thing I said was that there was no reason to offer abortion in most autism situations. My friend's son is mildly autistic, and he's awesome, weird, and funny; I love him. I used to work with autistic kids as well as ones with most other disabilities, which is why I know what it would be like to live with one. I took care of 6 at a time with only 1 other person, usually, in a school designed to teach the mentally challenged basic life skills. And yes, it's possible those people may be happy, but as someone who's been around many I can tell you they're not all happy. They spend a lot of time being frustrated and angry, and the ones who are capable of it often have a lot of self-loathing. Now, this may be more common among ones who are institutionalized... great, another reason to feel guilty, right? I'm just saying, don't judge someone when you have no idea what th...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Oops! totally did not see this comment and replied to your earlier comment saying basically the same exact thing...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

... they are dealing with.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

lolno you idiot, doctors don't work for "love" and do what's best for it, they practice damn medicine and health; they couldn't care less if you love mentally challenged kids or not.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I would much rather not live at all than be ridiculed and discriminated my entire life. Trust me, Ive been there, if you get my drift.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's not "horrible" just because it goes against your values. It's their job, they are responsible for providing options, and the person who is in the situation is responsible for what they choose to do. Also Autism can't be detected by any invitro tests... only chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders like Down Syndrom or Tay-Sachs.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

When the mother of my best friend was pregnant, a doctor suggested abortion as an option because there was a slight chance of my friend having Down's Syndrome. I can't believe there was chance that she would have never lived for such a stupid reason.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Everybody's giving examples of their cousin, or their brother, as if every single disabled person is like their relatives. Every case is different, and two families that care for a disabled person could be having completely different experiences, so of course there's going to be debate over this subject. However, I believe that insisting that parents care for children who will barely be conscious and spend their life lying on a hospital bed are not considering the fact that the parents, mother in particular mostly, are giving up their lives, all of it. It's not that the parents won't want to, of course, they'll love the baby. But it's unjust to be disgusted at mothers not wanting to spend the rest of their lives caring constantly. I'm not trying to sound like a selfish monster, but people need to consider the lives of the mothers as equal, if not more important than an unborn foetus.

by Anonymous 13 years ago