If I was a rose and you had choice,
would
you pick me, pluck me down from the tree?
Would
you hold me soft in the palm of your hand,
hold
my blush to the rose of your cheek?
My
mouth is a rosebud waiting for kisses;
my
heart is in blossom pulsating for you.
Please
will you choose me; please love me
don’t
lose me, for my heart beats only for thee.
Anna
:o[
Yesterday was World Down Syndrome Day, but I must admit I would not have known had I not received a (subscribed to) email from MercatorNet.
It is
not the first email I have received re Down’s, and one email (I really can’t remember
its source) alerted me to John's Crazy Socks and I became a customer. John’s Crazy Socks is a million-dollar company
run by a young man with Down’s and his father.
We all, all of us, have the potential to succeed (in life), if only others believe
in us, believe that we all have value.
And we all do, although this is not the mindset of some, who
believe (or are directed to believe) that
those with Down’s are valueless, will have no quality of life and be unhappy. And if a parent of such a child, so will we.
It is
a sad fact that most diagnosed with Down’s (in utero) are aborted. Iceland claims that it has almost
eradicated Down’s – but this purely by termination – and the rest of the
western world is not far behind. What
does this make us?
Please
know that although I am pro-life, I am also not anti-abortion. This might appear a contradiction, but it is
not. If a prenatal diagnosis of incompatibly with life is made, then I agree
with termination. If a baby is born and
the same diagnosis is made, and is only kept alive with intensive invasive interventions
and has no quality of life, indeed suffering pain, and there is no hope of a ‘cure’ then I believe
life support should end, although I do understand if a parent of such a child,
I might probably fight this.
But
Down’s is not comparable with the above, life has value. And we should think of
what path we are taking, a path to where eugenics, the driving out of those
deemed imperfect becomes acceptable, becomes the norm.
If my
mum had been pregnant with me in today’s world, she could have had me aborted,
no question – although I am certain she wouldn’t – but the majority of my life
has been ‘normal’. I went to school, got
a job, got married and had two wonderful children and now two wonderful
grandchildren. I have value and am
valued. If I had been aborted, five new
lives would not exist.
To
close, another heart-lifting most beautiful video found on the Beeb whilst researching.
Shared with the good folk at dVerse.
Please visit the links.
19 comments:
You raise important questions, and abortion for the reason of creating "perfect" life will leave humanity less perfect I think... we have been there and it's not a good world, here in Sweden it was through forced sterilization to create a "healthy" people...
I'm an engineer, and I hate that they have used that world to create social engineering.
I am moved by these words of yours, Anna:
"Please will you choose me; please love me
don’t lose me, for my heart beats only for thee."
It is crazy to me (I don't use that adjective figuratively) that Iceland and other countries will proudly make the claim that their social engineering is so advanced, and not be ashamed of their blasphemous feats. It is crazy to me that there are people in this world with families and who hold respectable positions in their communities, who can look into the shining eyes of someone with Down's and think to themselves, "You should not be here. You do not have the right to breathe the air I breathe."
I love this poem! I just can't fathom ending a life, I don't believe it is my choice. It certainly would not be theirs.
It would be very hard to make that choice, knowing that life is precious. I also enjoyed the video as it was very educational, thanks ~
I loved your poem and your commentary. I understand exactly what you're saying and I agree with every word. Life is precious but not put here to suffer. We have to choose with heart and mind. I'm happy you are loved, as you are precious and valuable to all who know you or read your work. Thank you.
I love your piece about a tricky subject -- well done!
Such a difficult topic really--Life is precious, but it can also be difficult. Unfortunately, our society loves to protect children until they are born, but not really after--it makes me sad
If only they could see the incredible gift wrapped in those happy smilds, such love!
The birth gift of a Downs child brings with a new outlook on life: maturity and a shifting in philosophical orientation. hanks for the sharing.
Such a moving poem, Anna. I have known a number of children with Down's Syndrome. When I was a young teenager I used to babysit for my mother's friend, whose son was the most affectionate and attentive child, who loved to hear stories and always had a book he wanted me to read to him. Many years later, I visited my mother and I bumped into him on the street, a tall man, who recognised me but called me by my mother's name. Show any child love and their heart will beat for you. Sadly, many people show only ignorance.
A sweet and thoughtful post!
Beautifully evocative write, Anna!
Awesome!
I have made many friends when I worked for the Dept. of Education [Voc. Rehab.]and was an expert witness (on standby not called; Dr. Mark Silver didn't need any support) for de-institionalization ...for why we shouldn't incarcerate individuals, children because of IQ, disability, or even worse because of how they appeared in their unique innocence, to be rejected by "beautiful" people.
ZQ
They look happy.
Beautiful poem. My ex's family aborted their first child because of Downs. I always wondered what he/she could have become. they were society folk, the husband a doctor and they just didn't want to be bothered with a 'imperfect' child. Ignorance reigns but cold hearts do too. We adopted our only son at 3. The state said he was probably mildly retarded but wouldn't be much of a burden to us. Their exact words. He came from a failure to thrive home and was 24 lbs at 3 years. he had developmental delays, not helped by the brutal public schools and the ignorant teachers, so we homeschooled. Today, he is a loving, stable 30 year old man with some great accomplishments. but those things pale in the presence of the love and devotion and joy he has given us. He was not a Downs child but was shuffled aside by the State of Georgia. After 20 years of infertility, he is the greatest blessing to us.
Jane *Lady Nyo
What a beautiful person you are, Anna. Thank you for sharing!
Wonderful words and so true! I'm glad you shared this with us.
Please will you choose me; please love me
don’t lose me, for my heart beats only for thee.
The pleadings one would have heard if only these are verbalised. Apparently, they exist in a world of their own happy as they are. Minders accept it but onlookers seem horrified by their ignorance of such matters. Thanks for highlighting it, Anna!
Hank
So sweet. This made me smile.
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