Sunday, October 12, 2008
miscellanea
So I went to the doctor's office today; I'd been sick long enough and yesterday I had felt like absolute shit. I guess the concoction of cat dander, blood, mucous and remnants of vomit doesn't always agree with my immune system; who'd have thunk it?
On an aside, I think every walk-in clinic should have a hot receptionist. The one in Whalley beside FutureShop has one fine-ass biatch. Certainly made the time pass by more quickly. She caught me staring at her; I didn't care, I haven't jerked off in nearly a week due to this sickness; don't get me wrong, the mojo still flows, just the will has died a little bit.
As I was waiting for the prescription to come in, I went into futureshop in hopes to get a quick round of guitar hero, in. Unfortunately, some kid with down syndrome was ahead in line and he had no clue what to do. I wasn't annoyed, but I may have become mildly so had I stayed there longer expecting a turn. I honestly haven't a clue how I'd be able to raise a child with down syndrome. And considering that there are ways of finding out--if you are ever expecting--whether or not your child will have down syndrome, it brings me to an important question.
Would you strongly consider an abortion if you knew your kid would have down syndrome about 3 or 4 months into gestation? I know it's not a simple question and I do not intend on receiving a simple yes-or-no answer, but I'd like to see your thoughts on it.
On an aside, I think every walk-in clinic should have a hot receptionist. The one in Whalley beside FutureShop has one fine-ass biatch. Certainly made the time pass by more quickly. She caught me staring at her; I didn't care, I haven't jerked off in nearly a week due to this sickness; don't get me wrong, the mojo still flows, just the will has died a little bit.
As I was waiting for the prescription to come in, I went into futureshop in hopes to get a quick round of guitar hero, in. Unfortunately, some kid with down syndrome was ahead in line and he had no clue what to do. I wasn't annoyed, but I may have become mildly so had I stayed there longer expecting a turn. I honestly haven't a clue how I'd be able to raise a child with down syndrome. And considering that there are ways of finding out--if you are ever expecting--whether or not your child will have down syndrome, it brings me to an important question.
Would you strongly consider an abortion if you knew your kid would have down syndrome about 3 or 4 months into gestation? I know it's not a simple question and I do not intend on receiving a simple yes-or-no answer, but I'd like to see your thoughts on it.
Comments:
Personally, I would never consider an abortion at all. Let's consider the hypothetical situation where the kid was anything but an accident, but my wife and I aren't economically able to raise a child with Downs syndrome. I would consider finding a good adoptive home which would be able to take better care of them than my wife and I. If I were able to support the child economically, there's no way I'd abort it. What would be my reasons to abort anyway?
1) Save the child from a life of difficulty?
- But how would they know that their life is any different from others. There's a mentally challenged kid named Tony who volunteers at the club. I don't think he has any clue that he's all that different from all of us.
2) Wouldn't life be difficult raising such a kid?
- Raising kids with ADD/ADHD is just as, if not even more, challenging. If one's kid was to have this "affliction", would anyone consider aborting them? For the most part, they're just as able, intellectually, but they just can't pay attention.
On a deeper level, I'm quite concerned about the ramifications of quasi-eugenic reasons or even those which are completely eugenic. The concept of purifying the human race via artificial selection is deeply disturbing to me and hopefully, to most others.
1) Save the child from a life of difficulty?
- But how would they know that their life is any different from others. There's a mentally challenged kid named Tony who volunteers at the club. I don't think he has any clue that he's all that different from all of us.
2) Wouldn't life be difficult raising such a kid?
- Raising kids with ADD/ADHD is just as, if not even more, challenging. If one's kid was to have this "affliction", would anyone consider aborting them? For the most part, they're just as able, intellectually, but they just can't pay attention.
On a deeper level, I'm quite concerned about the ramifications of quasi-eugenic reasons or even those which are completely eugenic. The concept of purifying the human race via artificial selection is deeply disturbing to me and hopefully, to most others.
Yeah, I wouldn't have the heart to abort a child because of Down's Syndrome, pretty much for the reasons Reuben mentioned. As for what else to add at this point ... it's a tough situation, but I guess I have to believe that things happen for a reason. By that I mean, if you're meant to have a challenging time during a period in your life (or with an aspect of your life) from which to learn, then it'll be a challenging time no matter what measures (i.e. abortion) you take to prevent it. Just a personal philosophy, I guess.
Well it's not about eugenics; it's more so about having a normal family without having to deal with all the potential problems. It's nearly impossible to teach a kid with down syndrome things without incurring an excruciating amount of difficulty. I am not saying that's just reason to abort a child because of it; however, you can't compare the difficulty of raising one with down-syndrome to someone with ADD. That almost sounds like a mohsin-like statement, in that it being irrelevant to the topic at hand.
I think it's a really difficult situation to assess, and you'd only really know what you can consider a possibility when you're actually faced with the situation. That, and it also takes two people to make the decision, so in no way am I asking for something concrete.
I guess it really comes down to how much value one can place on a life that we know will never fully amount to much considering pre-set standards by society.
I think it's a really difficult situation to assess, and you'd only really know what you can consider a possibility when you're actually faced with the situation. That, and it also takes two people to make the decision, so in no way am I asking for something concrete.
I guess it really comes down to how much value one can place on a life that we know will never fully amount to much considering pre-set standards by society.
Okay, first off I resent your statement that my comparison is mohsin-like and I fail to see how my point is irrelevant. Obviously you've never dealt with kids who have ADD/ADHD. Sure there are meds to sedate kids like that, but I've dealt with them when they're off their meds and it's a fucking gong-show. At least a kid with downs syndrome won't jump into a fountain to fish for change or attempt to climb on top of a building when it's obviously dangerous -- not to mention that getting them to do/not to do anything involves repeating yourself 10 times over (I've counted). Remember the frustration you felt at the misbehaving girl on top of the cricket batting cage? That type frustration and anger is a commonality when dealing with kids with ADD/ADHD.
The difference is that Downs Syndrome is rarer and there is more of a stigma surrounding it thanks to the fact that it's physically noticeable and the debilitating aspects of it aren't as subtle as with ADD/ADHD.
Furthermore, I stated that my 'reasons' not to keep the kid were laughable and honestly, just lazy.
All in all, the point I was trying to make is that parenting is difficult regardless of afflicition; you can't shirk responsibility. Aborting a child because it was not what you expected is shirking responsibility -- especially if you were planning on keeping it otherwise. Raising a kid is a challenge regardless of DS or not and living life is a challenge all on its own. Nothing worthwhile in life is ever gained through being lazy and you and I both know that.
Here's an interesting article on DS:
http://www.downsyn.com/thrive.php
Lazy parents have turdlings for kids, anyways.
The difference is that Downs Syndrome is rarer and there is more of a stigma surrounding it thanks to the fact that it's physically noticeable and the debilitating aspects of it aren't as subtle as with ADD/ADHD.
Furthermore, I stated that my 'reasons' not to keep the kid were laughable and honestly, just lazy.
All in all, the point I was trying to make is that parenting is difficult regardless of afflicition; you can't shirk responsibility. Aborting a child because it was not what you expected is shirking responsibility -- especially if you were planning on keeping it otherwise. Raising a kid is a challenge regardless of DS or not and living life is a challenge all on its own. Nothing worthwhile in life is ever gained through being lazy and you and I both know that.
Here's an interesting article on DS:
http://www.downsyn.com/thrive.php
Lazy parents have turdlings for kids, anyways.
I only meant the mohsin-like statement, because I felt you delved into the irrelevant. That being said, I am not sure if parents could know before-hand if the kid was to have ADD or not. If they were, who knows if they'd be just as willing to abort as they would with a kid having DS. Yes, dealing with a kid who has ADD/ADHD would be significantly worse, but I think in the long run, he/she would have a more of a normal life.
Now, if the parents were fully able to nurture and love a kid with DS, they would inherently have little reason to abort; but what if they didn't? What if it was to be a significant issue for them and that it was early enough in the pregnancy that they could abort the child without having to deal with it? I know it sounds awful, but I know even some potentially good parents out there think about this.
But yeah, ultimately it comes down to how hard the parents are willing to work to stabilize and nurture the kid.
Now, if the parents were fully able to nurture and love a kid with DS, they would inherently have little reason to abort; but what if they didn't? What if it was to be a significant issue for them and that it was early enough in the pregnancy that they could abort the child without having to deal with it? I know it sounds awful, but I know even some potentially good parents out there think about this.
But yeah, ultimately it comes down to how hard the parents are willing to work to stabilize and nurture the kid.
Would you consider suicide if by some scientific method you know for certain that your future is completely the opposite of how you wanted it to be? You don't know whether future-you would be happy or not, but you do know that present-you is miserable thinking that you'd end up that way.
I probably don't have the same afflictions towards suicide as others might. I mean, not to sound euthanasic, but I think a person should have the choice (legally) to end his/her own life. I think that if people are indeed feeling miserable inside, unless they were extremely strong reasons behind it and/or the person was just really weak, it's likely that suicide would just be a passing thought, instead of a recurring one.
To answer the question, if a scientific method for deducing such actually did exist, it'd be difficult not to consider suicide. That being said, one's choice would likely depend on how this method ascertains ones life to be perpetually and inevitably miserable. In the end though, it's unlikely that I would do it, but I don't see why it can't be considered.
To answer the question, if a scientific method for deducing such actually did exist, it'd be difficult not to consider suicide. That being said, one's choice would likely depend on how this method ascertains ones life to be perpetually and inevitably miserable. In the end though, it's unlikely that I would do it, but I don't see why it can't be considered.
Interesting related article written by non other than Dan Savage from Savage Love:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=691855
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=691855
You know, I didn't even recognize the name, but when I wikied Savage, then I knew exactly who he was. He's rather open about his sexuality on TV from what I've seen.
The article makes sense to me. It wasn't meant to be a neutral article, but he does it really well without slamming too many people.
I had a discussion with my mom about something similar several years back. She told me that if she was ever in a situation like that, that she'd want me to help her end her life. I think if it really came down to it, and she asked me that on her deathbed, that I would actually do it.
The article makes sense to me. It wasn't meant to be a neutral article, but he does it really well without slamming too many people.
I had a discussion with my mom about something similar several years back. She told me that if she was ever in a situation like that, that she'd want me to help her end her life. I think if it really came down to it, and she asked me that on her deathbed, that I would actually do it.
I've been reading his Savage Love columns religiously ever since grade 10. I've never seen him on TV though.
Well, I meant for a girl to have a crush on a gay guy (not despite his gayness in the hopes that he'll change teams, but more because of his gayness). It was mostly a rhetorical question.
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