A Call

As some of you know, I am the Newborn Contact for the UDSF. I love it. I love to be reminded of the raw emotion behind a new diagnosis. Whether it's prenatal, or after the birth.
Some times, it is extremely hard to see the reaction. Most of the time, I have to remind myself, the initial reactions are just that, raw gut reaction. They are a lot of times, ugly. Fortunately, I have only met 1 person, who that gut reaction, hasn't turned to complete infatuation.
I bring this up, because I have been thinking a lot about 1 couple. It has brought to light, and alarming trend. A part of society, I'd rather pretend didn't exist. I have met a few couples of different nationalities, it seems to be more prevalent in the Asian culture, who after birth, felt as if they have been cursed. That they have been given this burden, because they have done something wrong, and this new baby was to bring shame to their family. I met a husband and wife, who got a prenatal diagnosis, later in pregnancy, so the option to terminate was not there. After really struggling with the fact their baby was going to have Ds, he was worried what people would think about them not having an abortion. Like, people would judge him for bringing this little baby into the world. What happened to abortion being a shameful, bad thing. When did terminating a babies life, become the appropriate choice. When did that happen? Do I just run in a different circle? So I didn't see something that has always been?
I am not judging this couple. Gut reactions are just that. Raw, from the gut, and sometimes, ugly. I can say, with almost 100% surety, he will fall in love with this new little person, then wonder why he ever doubted their decision. What I am judging, is this trend towards our lack of respect for life and God's plan. We don't get to choose, who our children will be. Boy, girl, Ds, or Autistic. As a matter of fact, I am pretty dang sure, we picked this. We knew who our family would be, before we even got here. So, who are we to try to change that.
I love meeting new parents, and being most people's first contact with the Ds world. It's a strange and different kind of place. There is nothing wrong with living here, and as a matter of fact, it has it's perks. You usually don't notice it's beauty, until you've been here awhile, you know, gotten over the culture shock. But, once you get here, and acclimate, you would never wish for anything else.