Nine years ago, my daughter Juliet was born. She had ruby-red lips, dark eyes, and Down syndrome. While I haven't considered changing the first two characteristics, I have paid attention to possible treatments for the last one.
Earlier this year, researchers announced that that ...
It was billed as an amazing breakthrough, a harbinger of hope, when researchers at University of Massachusetts managed to 'turn off'' the third copy of the 21st chromosome in a petri dish last summer. But the jubilation was not universal.
Many parents of children with Down syndrome ...
There's a sign on the way home from our daughter Penny's school that reads: "Slow Down. Exceptional Children Live Here." When I first noticed it, it bugged me. I saw it as a disrespectful play on signs warning cars that a child with blindness or deafness lives in a neighborhood. ...
First of all, does anyone have a catchy title for what is becoming a regular Friday feature of what I'm reading, listening to, and thinking about?
Secondly, the books: I've finally gotten into The Little Way of Ruthie Leming, by Rod Dreher. It's a lovely book, though I found ...
When Amy Julia Becker asked me to write a post responding to the question "Should Down syndrome Be Cured?" I had a strong feeling of déjà vu all over again.
Haven't we debated that question already?
A few seconds on Google revealed that yes, we have.
In early 2010, Lisa Belkin ...
For some, this question holds an obvious answer. Down syndrome is an abnormal genetic condition that leads to suffering. It needs to be cured, plain and simple. For others, the question itself (not to mention any attempt at an answer) is offensive. It implies that people with ...
Peter returned late last Thursday night after twelve days in Korea and China for work. And while I hope he never has to go away for that long again (um, honey, are you reading this?), I'm also kind of grateful that he did. Here's why:
1. I missed him terribly, starting ...
