[tri-wings] Re: Input requested/Annie/coroner/conference

What is the value of a human life? Obviously it has more value to me if it
is my child than if it is yours. I'm reminded of the story where Solomon (1
Kings 3:16-28) had two mothers bring him a single baby boy each claiming the
baby was theirs. King Solomon calls for the live son to be split in two,
each woman receiving half of the child. Upon hearing this terrible verdict,
the boy's true mother cries out, "Please, My Lord, give her the live child -
do not kill him!" However, the liar, exclaims, "It shall be neither mine nor
yours - divide it!" Solomon gives the baby to the real mother, realizing
that the true mother's instincts were to protect her child, while the liar
revealed that she did not truly love the child.

Most of us on this list have obviously been directly impacted by the
"unconventional" value of these special "T" babies. There isn't a single
mother (or grandparent) on this list who doesn't understand that the "value"
of these children has nothing to do with how many relationships they've
acquired over the years or how much they "contribute" to society. They are
our children. That is what makes them special and gives them value. We love
them even if they can't love us back. 

If we don't recognize that there is more to life than just the short time we
spend on this earth, then we live for the moment. Babies in that type of
world get in the way. "Defective" babies are even worse. But without them,
we only live to satisfy ourselves. The people who experience and learn to
appreciate the "special" babies are the ones who are most blessed. When we
are going through the pain, we wish we could avoid it, but after we
experience the relationship, we are better for it. If we open our hearts up
to those in need, we are truly the ones who benefit most. 

Paul Farmer 

-----Original Message-----
From: tri-wings-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tri-wings-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Jean Kinsella
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 1:17 PM
To: tri-wings@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [tri-wings] Re: Input requested/Annie/coroner/conference

Hi Barbara,

The same question could be asked regarding people with terminal 
illnesses - you'd still attempt to treat pancreatic cancer, even though 
the likelihood of a patients survival is low. Babies born with a trisomy 
seem to be considered less important than an older person, is that 
because our babies can't speak for themselves?  Do doctors try less 
harder to save their lives because they don't have to listen to the 
begging and pleading of the ding patient for life saving treatment?  Or 
is it because doctors consider our babies less important because they'll 
never get the chance to contribute to society(in the conventional sense 
of course).  Maybe trisomies don't have to be fatal.  There's a history 
of 'why bother, the baby's going to die anyway', it becomes a self 
fulfilling prophecy.  Maybe, with a little help, our babies could lead 
fuller, longer lives and a diagnosis of trisomy doesn't have to be so 
devastating.

Jean
> I welcome, appreciate, and very much need your comments. Please feel free
to respond privately if you prefer. Thanks so much. The basic question is,
Why should health care dollars be spent on saving the lives of children who
are very limited and who have a shortened life span? 
>
>
>   

-- 
Mum to Arily Faith, born asleep, July 8th, 2006
and to Conor, born June 21st, 2007


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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