Reply to Anyone not going for more children because of advanced maternal age?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I do some volunteer work that puts me in regular contact with adults with Downs Syndrome. I enjoy my time with these folks, and they do have love to give and talents to share.
I also am not planning to have any more children, but if I find myself unexpectedly pregnant (very unexpectedly--I'm on an IUD!) I would do the testing and I would end the pregnancy if it came back positive for Downs.
While some folks with Downs Syndrome are rather high-functioning, many have very severe disabilities that require constant care. In addition to the intellectual disabilities, there are numerous physical issues associated with Downs. These physical issues in the past meant that life expectancy for DS was in the 30s. Now it is much higher, more like the 50s. When you couple that with advanced maternal age, you will outlive your disabled child. The parents of the DS folks I know are very, VERY concerned about what will happen to their children when they are gone. If you have other children, their care of their disabled sibling will not end when they leave your home. They will be caring for that sibling forever. In many cases, that sibling will have to come live with them. Long term care in group homes is also an option, but they are expensive, or substandard.  Families sinks huge amounts of money into savings for long term care for their disabled children. These folks have significantly less in retirement savings, or in college savings for their other children because of this.
I want to make clear that I fully support anyone's choice to proceed with a pregnancy of a disabled child. I cherish the time I spend with the Downs Syndrome community, and have immense respect and admiration for the families of these special folks. I also know that, while I can't control all of the twist and turns of fate for my existing family, I will not invite the enormous financial and emotional burden that comes with a disabled child.
Again, not trying to convince anyone that my choice is the only "correct" one, but offering the thought process I've gone through to reach this conclusion.[/quote]

You are disgusting. How dare you mention killing a child and retirement/college savings in the same paragraph. What a lack of respect.  You can intellectualize it all you want, but you are still foul. Have some dignity and keep thoughts like that to yourself. [/quote]

I'm pro-choice, but this is simple eugenics anyway you look at it.[/quote]

Please explain this to me.  You are pro-choice, but you don't think people should actually have abortions?  You think you should get to judge their motivation?  "I don't want to have a child right now" is acceptable but "I don't want to have a severely disabled child" is not?  Have you ever faced this decision  yourself?  You might "look at it" differently if you have.  [/quote]

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