Since abortion is such a common option for children with Down syndrome, why aren't typical developing children diagnosed like this?
How to give parents a pre-natal diagnosis:
I'm very sorry, I have the results of the genetic tests and they have
confirmed our suspicions that your fetus is what we call ... Normal.
Some people prefer the terms "Ordinarily Challenged" or "Normal
Syndrome". The syndrome can be easily identified by a complete lack
of any interesting genetic characteristics. I know this will come as
a shock to you, but you should be aware of what this is likely to
mean.
If your fetus manages to survive the rest of the pregnancy and the birth, which is becoming more common these days, he or she will face some daunting challenges. Children who suffer from normalcy are prone to health and psychological problems. It is almost certain that the growing child will suffer a seemingly endless stream of viruses. They will frequently damage themselves, and sometimes others, from their excessive energy.
Their relentless demands will put a strain on your existing family
and, of course, your relationship with your partner will suffer, and
possibly end in a painful and acrimonious separation. Any children
you already have, even if they also suffer from normalcy, will be
jealous of the newcomer and all their extra attention. Many siblings
are liable to be psychologically scarred by the new arrival.
I need hardly mention the financial consequences, although
disastrous, they will be nothing compared to the emotional turmoil
your life will suffer.
After a while, you may be lucky and find they can be kind and loving
young children. They may find some temporary happiness in things such
as music, dancing, food or playing with toys.
But if they survive early childhood, a Normal child is almost certain
to grow into a Normal adolescent. Your years of sacrifice will be
thrown back in your face as they become disobedient, wild and
reckless. Unable to find happiness and contentment, they will treat
you with contempt until they manage to leave home. Even then the
suffering will continue as they will often return to try and extract
money. They will blame you for their own faults and leave you bitter
and twisted.
They may well become criminals, over a quarter of Normals will have
trouble with the law, many will spend time in jail. Many will have
problems with alcohol or drug abuse. Normal marriages are often
unhappy and short and over half end in divorce.
Even if they become successful this is likely to be because of the
often observed tendency of Normals towards excessive greed. The
chances of them sharing their success with you are remote and they
will tend to see you as an embarrasment.
Finally, Normal people are likely to die before their time. 23% will
die of cancer, 33% of heart disease. Hundreds every year in this
country alone are so distressed by their condition that they take
their own life. I'm sorry to say that many will have had a lonely,
painful and pointless existence.
I am afraid that Normal Syndrome is a genetic condition that affects
every cell of the body, and so is impossible to cure.
Termination is an option.
Shall I book an appointment?
..... from a parent who received a diagnosis rather like this.
Bob Lincoln, author
