Donald Trump said his nephew’s disabled son should be left to die!

TheWeirdoAgain59

Regarding The Donald, I've always thought what a great pity it is that his mother never had an abortion! Same with Must or Moosk or whatever the idiots stupid name is!

Hear,hear!

LizzieDrip

Claremont this is from Wikipedia:

His youngest child William has the genetic variant KCNQ2 and a seizure disorder, requiring a lifetime of care

I think the young man has a range of complex needs.

I asked before most Downs children and adults do have a happy life, and bring so much joy to their parents and families, and the world at large.

It sounds as this child may have a very different life, and perhaps no quality of conscious life either. And I do feel that sometimes the modern world is very cruel towards some extreme cases, using modern medicine to prolong lives at all costs, and not just financial, when perhaps allowing nature to decide to some extent. I know I will probably be highly criticised for saying so-but to me, it makes humane sense.

There are lists of what the 18-20 week ultrasound can detect Rosie you are right that

"I was unaware they routinely tested for swallow reflexes, fitting and cognitive abilities in utero." are not on the list

but other really serious difficulties are and then its ups to the family and doctor to discuss? what the family might have to cope with?

The USA Pro-life movement, which makes it impossible for a woman to chose early in pregnancy, but just not care at all for what happens to the woman and the child post birth- is just sick.

theworriedwell, that was just awful and so wrong, and I am very sorry you had to go through this.

However, this has really nothing to compare as with Assisted Dying, none whatsoever. As with the latter, the person themselves have to make a clear choice, and a totally personal REQUEST, in very specific circumstances, for help to avoid the last painful last stages of a terminal illness. Withe every step taken to ensure no coercion.

Whitewavemark2

HousePlantQueen

Kandinsky

In terms of disabled children/people, I very much value these people and feel that they add value to our lives

Our very own NHS sees things differently - which is why they offer all pregnant women tests to check for Down’s syndrome ( and a couple of other syndromes ) and if these tests are positive they offer a free of charge termination.
something like 90% of parents do terminate a Down’s syndrome pregnancy.

What do you think of this NHS service?

I think it is pro choice. What are you trying to imply?

I worked in a school with children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities.

In my opinion, actively keeping some of those children alive at birth where intervention was required amounted to abuse.

We cared for children in severe pain, without swallow reflexes, who constantly fitted and other dreadful pain filled conditions.

Under what universe would you condemn a poor child to be born into such a ghastly existence, when you had the ability to abort at a very early stage?

Under what universe would you condemn a poor child to be born into such a ghastly existence, when you had the ability to abort at a very early stage?

These children's conditions were readily known early in the pregnancy were they? I was unaware they routinely tested for swallow reflexes, fitting and cognitive abilities in utero. I would have assumed most of these problems became apparent at birth so I shall have to ask the midwives in my family about these screening programs.

I do agree that just because medical science can doesn't mean it must or necessarily should give every intervention. However in my own extended family there is a child born at 25 weeks for whom every intervention was made and that child is a normal, happy, healthy 4 year old. With hindsight the interventions were correct but who was to know?

In my volunteer role I have contact with many people with Down syndrome, the world would not have been a better place if they had been aborted.

Of course that was completely wrong and no excuse for it. You had every right to choose

Serious fetal problems can be diagnosed now by ultrasound and MRI as well.

The right to choose includes decisions about resources should your child need special care.

I was pregnant at 39.my Consultant knew I wouldn't have amnio and was ok with it. I went for an appointment and he was called to an emergency so I was seen by his senior registrar(not sure if titles have changed this was over 30 years ago.). So he said I'd not had amnio and we needed to get it done fast as we were ",running out of time.". He meant for an abortion. I told him I wasn't having either. He shouted at me and mocked me saying I was scared of needles. The midwife intervened and stopped him. I left crying.

People say there will be no pressure assisted dying. Yes right and pigs will fly and the Easter bunny is real.

I agree with WW as well. There are degrees of disability with Downs and often other physical problems. Not every parent is equipped to deal with this and may have other children to consider. It's a decision for the parents and as LizzieDrip says not one any parent takes lightly.
It does seem that Trump's decisions are counter productive.

Fred Trumps' son has parents who can afford the care help, and treatments.

Just read an article on Texas.

Texas abortion laws prohibit almost all abortions, with exceptions for cases where the mother's life or health is at risk. The laws also impose civil and criminal penalties for those who perform abortions.

Heart breaking waits and lack of care for children born with birth disabilities. Further cuts on the way with Trump cuts.

Cannot express how angry I feel.

I agree WW.

Our NHS offers a pro-choice system for parents facing this difficult decision. I believe that’s the right approach - it must be up to the parents.

A termination would not be for me in that situation, but I fully understand and support those who would choose that route. I’m sure no-one would do it lightly.

If / when the child is born they deserve every bit of humane care available. Their life is just as precious as any other child. As in the case of Fred Trump’s son - he is much loved and treasured by his parents.

Sadly, not so by his great-uncle apparently.

I’m not sure Trump is capable of logic or joined up thinking Allira. Is the US destined to have mass institutions where badly damaged babies and children, whose mothers were forced to deliver them but can’t cope with them, are sent and where Trump would presumably, given his lack of empathy, have them kept in dreadful conditions?

This is why he has stopped all foreign aid.. and Musk isn't any better rejecting his trans daughter

Claremont

Is the nephew Downs, or other disability. Does anyone know.

OP said: born with a genetic abnormality and, as a result, has severe physical and cognitive impairment.

Doesn't sound like Downs.

Claremont this is from Wikipedia:

His youngest child William has the genetic variant KCNQ2 and a seizure disorder, requiring a lifetime of care

I think the young man has a range of complex needs.

Is the nephew Downs, or other disability. Does anyone know.

Chocolatelovinggran

Well, in Mr Trump's Brave New World, no woman will be allowed to terminate a pregnancy, however damaged the foetus, so it seems likely that more babies will be born with severe or complex needs..maybe Mr Trump thinks his suggestion is the solution to this.

Well, that's a conundrum, isn't it!!

No logic or joined-up thinking involved , certainly.

Also agree with everything Whitewavemark2 said.

You know I actually agree with you Whitewavemark2 Might be a first ! As you said, once born these children deserve all our love and care but you do wonder when they are born into a painful life whether life is worth it for them. 🙂

Imo and experience Downs children are often challenging, frequently a delight and can often live productive and useful lives. However, there is always the risk that the syndrome will be severe.

Parents should be able to make that choice at a very early stage in pregnancy as they may be entirely unequal to the challenge a Downs child brings.

Kandinsky

*In terms of disabled children/people, I very much value these people and feel that they add value to our lives*

Our very own NHS sees things differently - which is why they offer all pregnant women tests to check for Down’s syndrome ( and a couple of other syndromes ) and if these tests are positive they offer a free of charge termination.
something like 90% of parents do terminate a Down’s syndrome pregnancy.

What do you think of this NHS service?

I worked in a Maternity unit when the more accurate test for Down's Syndrome became available. The 90% figure is accurate.
In the hospital I worked at, parents with a Down's diagnosis were treated with care and understanding but had to follow a process with health professionals before a termination was carried out.
It may have changed during the 5 years since I retired.
To answer your question. The service is needed to help those who for various reasons cannot face bringing a Down's baby into the world.

I would however just add, that once born those children deserve all the love and greatest care we are able to give them.

As well as every resource needed to achieve this care.

HousePlantQueen

Kandinsky

In terms of disabled children/people, I very much value these people and feel that they add value to our lives

Our very own NHS sees things differently - which is why they offer all pregnant women tests to check for Down’s syndrome ( and a couple of other syndromes ) and if these tests are positive they offer a free of charge termination.
something like 90% of parents do terminate a Down’s syndrome pregnancy.

What do you think of this NHS service?

I think it is pro choice. What are you trying to imply?

I worked in a school with children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities.

In my opinion, actively keeping some of those children alive at birth where intervention was required amounted to abuse.

We cared for children in severe pain, without swallow reflexes, who constantly fitted and other dreadful pain filled conditions.

Under what universe would you condemn a poor child to be born into such a ghastly existence, when you had the ability to abort at a very early stage?

Kandinsky

*In terms of disabled children/people, I very much value these people and feel that they add value to our lives*

Our very own NHS sees things differently - which is why they offer all pregnant women tests to check for Down’s syndrome ( and a couple of other syndromes ) and if these tests are positive they offer a free of charge termination.
something like 90% of parents do terminate a Down’s syndrome pregnancy.

What do you think of this NHS service?

I think it is pro choice. What are you trying to imply?

Chocolatelovinggran

Well, in Mr Trump's Brave New World, no woman will be allowed to terminate a pregnancy, however damaged the foetus, so it seems likely that more babies will be born with severe or complex needs..maybe Mr Trump thinks his suggestion is the solution to this.

He’s bonkers, so absolutely no joined up thinking!