Couple with Down syndrome decide to have children, face criticism

Most of us can relate to being on the receiving end of other people’s opinions and questions when it comes to having children.

Today, society has this silent pressure that you should have a good job, meet a partner, get married, and have children. Therefore, spouses who decide not to have kids must often have to justify their decision to others. People who don’t understand such a decision can be pretty clumsy and ask personal questions that are not their business whatsoever.

These questions can often be very personal and unpleasant and can make the recipient feel uncomfortable especially when asked why they’ve chosen not to be a parent.

Unfortunately, not having children can be considered the ultimate form of egoism – but when couples who are perceived as “different” want to have children together, then the view of what is egoism changes quickly…

Over 20 years ago, Patti White from California got some news that both made her over the moon and concerned. Her daughter Lisa announced that she was pregnant.

I grabbed the muddy kid by the collar for stealing milk—then I saw the infant in his arms. When he knelt, I saw his back… I’ve seen war, but I wasn’t ready for what that boy was hiding.
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I grabbed the muddy kid by the collar for stealing milk—then I saw the infant in his arms. When he knelt, I saw his back… I’ve seen war, but I wasn’t ready for what that boy was hiding.
Lisa has Down syndrome, a congenital and chromosomal disorder that manifests itself in varying degrees of physical and mental impairments. But what many people tend to forget is that a lot of people with Down syndrome can take care of themselves, have jobs, and lead independent lives.