What if the child will be disabled?

Many people think that abortion is best for the disabled child. This is a dark ages view of disability. Now we realise that disability is relative: no-one is perfect. Many disabled people, with inspiring determination, accommodate and overcome their disabilities.

Nobody suggests that older children who are disabled after road accidents should be killed to relieve the burden on the family. Abortion of the disabled is a violent form of discrimination.

Should babies be killed just because they are disabled or could possibly be disabled? A disabled child can no doubt put great strains on a family’s generosity and the community is only now beginning to fulfil its responsibility to help.

The effect of abortion to eliminate a disabled child on the mother and, through her, the family, can be severe. The incidence of depression following selective abortion for genetic foetal defect may be as high as 92% among women studied.

People who are disabled are not of necessity unhappy because of their disability: rather it is often the lack of support and the condescending attitudes of those who say "He’d be better off he hadn’t been born." Who are we to say that someone would be ‘better off dead?’ Is physical or mental perfection a prerequisite for human rights?

Many disabled children can, with proper care and education, become independent and self-fulfilling, and most of the others semi-independent. They can often be taught to read, write and behave in a socially acceptable manner. However, even those who are not able to achieve this are not necessarily less happy. Despite their limitations, with love and support, handicapped people have as much potential to be happy as anyone else. Even if they might not be as happy, few would argue that all unhappy or potentially unhappy people should be killed.

The handicapped child often brings out the best in his or her family. The child leads them by determined example and often brings great affection and warmth to the family.

Resources available

Some parents may yet believe that abortion would be best if their child were potentially very severely handicapped, because they know that they would be unable to properly care for him or her. Parents who feel unable to give their child a happy, satisfying life often do not know of the opportunities available for their child’s care and in despair seek abortion.

For families that really cannot cope, there are many special care homes and support services available and/or they may decide that adoption is better for all concerned. Although it may take much time and searching to find the right place for the child, hospitals and homes which provide excellent loving, professional nursing and assistance for the disabled do exist.

There are also individuals who possess the resources to cope with the severely disabled child’s needs. Many people are willing to foster or adopt disabled babies or older children.

Support groups for parents of severely handicapped children and organisations generally concerned with the welfare of the disabled, can often assist in selecting and arranging the best way to help a child. Such groups can also assist in organising supplementary care for parents who are able to look after their child at home but need some extra help, or who simply need a reliable and competent ‘baby sitter’ one or two days in the week.

Much can now be done for the disabled: surgery, artificial limbs, special education, support schemes, etc. Congenital defects caused by rubella, for example, may be correctable, and the great potential of people with Downs Syndrome is well established.

The following letter appeared in the Daily Telegraph

"Sir

We were disabled from causes other than thalidomide, the first of us having two useless arms and hands, the second two useless legs, and the third have use of neither arms nor legs.

We are fortunate only, it may seem, in having been allowed to live, and we want to say with strong conviction how thankful we are that no on took it upon themselves to destroy us as useless cripples. Here, in the Thomas Delarue School for Spastics…. We have found worthwhile and happy lives and we face our future with confidence. Despite our disabilities life still has much to offer, and we are more than anxious, if only metaphorically, to reach out towards the future."

All disabled people ask is that they are recognised for their warmth and their desire to contribute to society at their maximum ability.

As people, it is their wish to enjoy the benefits and activities of our society.