Morgan Freeman once said "Attacking people with disabilities is the lowest display of power I can think of." Everyone knows that if Morgan Freeman says something, it must be true. So why is our society so reluctant to accept individuals with these genetic differences? Although this is not the most prominent issue in our society, accepting people with disabilities is a challenge that I have been faced with head-on and for which I strive to raise awareness. I spent three of my summers during high school volunteering with an organization in Houston, Texas called The River Performing and Visual Arts Center (https://www.tuts.com/river). It was there that I learned what it truly means to love those who are different from you. I worked with children who have disabilities of all kinds. Down Syndrome, Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Kabuki Syndrome, Speech Impediments, and Chromosome Deficiencies are just some of the few disabilities that belong to the kids. Working with these children taught me a whole new level of patience and understanding. I found that I loved these kids with my whole heart and wanted others to feel that same love.
After I gained this new-found love, I became hyper-aware of how our society reacts to those with these genetic deformities. I recently read about the following report that was released last year, and I was disturbed to say the least.
Last year, a study was done which showed the number of babies prenatally Diagnosed with Down Syndrome that are aborted in the US each year. 53% of babies were aborted from 2008 - 2012 and this number keeps increasing. This horrifying fact has caused the population of individuals with Down Syndrome to decrease by nearly 30%. The termination of children with disabilities "reduces them to the condition itself" according to Erik Parens and Adrienne Asch who claim that these prenatal tests should be aimed at helping parents prepare to help their child instead of preventing the child from being born.
So many women go through with abortions after finding out that their child will be born with this disability because they are scared. They have been told that having a child with DS is an awful tragedy. Their child will be "less than normal children", "a huge challenge", and "a burden" among countless insults. But there are so many wonderful lessons that having a child with DS can teach. Growing up, I always saw having a child with a disability as all of these horrible things, but when I truly opened my eyes, I realized that having a child with a disability is completely worth it. No one said it would be easy, but these children deserve a life. They deserve a chance and they are able to do more than their title claims they can.
Some of my favorite things to read on the internet are testimonies from parents who have children with DS or other disabilities.
http://www.ijreview.com/2014/11/202150-mother-son-down-syndrome-delivers-awesome-response-woman-says-shouldve-abortion/
http://noahsdad.com/not-worry-down-syndrome-screening-test/
These are proof of why allowing the children with disabilities a chance at life can be completely worthwhile.
Although the abortion rates due to prenatal screening tests are still appalling to me, I will say that there are some definite strides that our society has made towards better inclusion of disabled individuals. Here are just a few examples.
Last year the Deaf West End produced a production of Spring Awakening incorporating deaf actors and making musical theatre accessible to the deaf audience.
There are now professional dance companies that include dancers with disabilities.
Tommy Hilfiger launched a clothing line designed for kids with disabilities.
Madeline Stuart became the first professional model with Down Syndrome. And she's been transforming the world's ideas of beauty.
Some food for thought...
"The problem is not the person's disabilities, the problem is society's view of the person's ability." - anonymous
What is your perception of people with disabilities? And what can you do to make it better?
