My Daily Domestic Diigolet 09/13/2008

• I think this story really shows what a Catholic, pro-life family can do in the world with their witness to Jesus,” said Father Brendan. “Our world is so afraid of suffering and bad news, we often want to run from it.

  “But what I saw was Christ transforming their lives and the lives of people around them.”

  Though Gianna’s life did not end the way the Schmidt family wanted, they take consolation in knowing she is in heaven — and that she was loved during her time on earth.

  “We never in our lives had to surrender our lives and will to God so much. But Gianna forced us to do that,” said John. “We had to pray with grace and dignity, even through the rough moments, and embrace her life and our time with her.

  “This was such a hard experience that we could have easily missed out on it becoming a beautiful, life-changing event.”

  Countless people reached out to grieve and celebrate with the family, help around the house, and provide meals during the pregnancy. Families from Jacob’s kindergarten class at Prince of Peace School created a rose garden in honor of Gianna.

  “We will forever be touched by the kindness others have shown us. It helped us be able to survive day to day,” said Jennifer.

• Earlier this week, I did a column describing Trig Palin, Sarah Palin’s four-month-old son with Down syndrome, as an unlikely civil rights leader. The trend of genetic testing and eugenic abortions has made such children a small, almost unprotected minority in America (and elsewhere). I also argued that a Social Darwinian attitude toward children with Down syndrome — the belief that the “imperfect” are somehow unworthy of life — has broader implications for the treatment of the disabled in our country. People who escape the screen of genetic testing are often viewed as burdens and mistakes — making our society less welcoming and hospitable.
• Most of the reaction I have received has been from the parents of children with disabilities, who are grateful for Gov. Palin’s example of love and compassion. But Los Angeles Times blogger Andrew Malcolm recently reported an entirely different reaction to Trig Palin’s breakthrough. Dr. Andre Lalonde, the executive vice president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, is “expressing concerns” that a “prominent public role model as the governor of Alaska and potential vice president of the United States completing a Down syndrome pregnancy may prompt other women to make the same decision against abortion because of that genetic abnormality. And thereby reduce the number of abortions.” This, Lalonde feels, would be problematic, because of women who aren’t “prepared to deal with the consequences” of a Down syndrome child.
• A claim like this one tears away the pretense of “choice” among some in the medical community. When the medical establishment encourages doctors to encourage broad genetic testing for genetic abnormalities, then emphasizes the hardship of raising a disabled child, eugenic abortion is not merely an “option” but a recommendation. And people such as Sarah Palin, who resist the consensus against the elimination of “genetic abnormality,” become a bad example, instead of a heroic one.

  This difference clarifies the most basic question of medical ethics: How do we improve humanity? By eliminating the “imperfect” from among us? Or by showing our humanity, especially toward the “imperfect”?

tags: Homeschooling, literature