A University of North Carolina professor has angered some of his students after saying he thinks fetuses with Down syndrome should be aborted. (read the article, ht CraigS)
Well they might be angry! I would have been!
I wouldn’t be surprised if the professor has never gotten to know any person with Down Syndrome. Had he, his attitude might be different. Mine certainly changed, when I met Peter.
I spent 3 months living with a family in the US. My ‘older brother’, the 21 year-old brother of my host exchange student, had Down Syndrome. And, without any reservation, this single man brought me as much joy as any other person I met in my stay. His life was fulfilled, he brought joy to his family, friends, and colleagues at work.
He called me his brother, we played playstation together, we kicked around a footy in the back-yard, we went out for lunch together, we watched the football together. In everything he did he was enthusiastic, full of energy, and playful. He was happy, and everyone who met him was all the more happier for it.
Sure, his family probably struggled at times to deal with him, especially when he was younger. Yet despite that, Peter was an immesurable blessing to all, especially his family. I, and they, would fiercely disagree with anyone who claims that anyone’s life – his or ours – would be improved by an abortion. What a horrendous thought! Was it not to his ‘disability’ (if it may even be considered one) that he owed his best characteristics? To be sure, I have never met as genuine, loving, and lovable person as my older brother Peter.
(NB, in the article linked to above, it was noted that Professor Harris said he wouldn’t follow his own moral position.)