Serious Q: Down syndrome and abortion (Page 3)

I have no idea where the speaker on the radio got the figure and to tell you the truth, I don't really care to find out.  For all I know, it was a some guy making it up on howard stern's satellite station.  I didn't listen for more than a couple of minutes as I was using my scan function on the car radio.  It just got me thinking so I posed the question on the internet.   

My question was what people's thoughts were on the topic of down syndrome and abortion not on whether people believe the % was accurate or not.  Or whether the prenatal procedure was procedure A, procedure B, or procedure C and that procedure was accurate or not.  If you do a google search on the topic, you will see several organizations or sites claiming that the % is in the 80s and 90s.

All I wanted to get out of my question was opinions from people on this board as to see whether my thoughts about the topic were out of wack or not.

Happycow, I read in Time Magazine a few weeks ago an article about this very topic. They cited this statistic. I cannot remember the exact #. I had thought it was closer to 70% (which still appalled me), but the upshot remains that the vast majority of folks who find out their child has down's syndrome abort the child, sad as that is. I, personally, can't get a handle on why? I refuse to believe that so many people are either that heartless or really believe that a life with down's syndrome is better not lived at all. I just don't get it, so I figure I must be missing some information.

This is a heartbreaking topic.

Amending my post to simply say: the percentage/number is not a random sampling of pregnant women. It's a sampling of pregnant women who consented to the test for their own reasons.

I keep thinking about this thread and really appreciate the input from the folks with direct experience. (thanks Cow family as well as others!!). 

It is certainly understandable when (I can't remember who) said, "Not for me." this type of situation.  But think about it; who in their right mind would do a triathalon?  Don't most normal people prefer to sit on the couch, watch the tube and eat crispy creams.  Ahh, comfort!  But once you get in there . . .er . . or out there triathlon speaking (Not sure of the preposition here.) life is really better, richer, deeper, more something.  It seems like the hard stuff isn't just the good stuff, it's the best stuff. 

Hmmm. . . . still chewing over this whole thread and its implications.   I'll cut it off here before I wax too maudlin and drowned in my own metaphors.

Having read this thread all I can say is that I'm honored to belong to this site. For all our craziness at times, you folks are serious, thoughtful, eloquent, caring atheletes. 

God bless all of you. 

Good point, Renee. Thanks for helping me see why the statistics might not be representative.

From Time Magazine, Nov. 21,  2005 "If an extra 21st chromosome is found--the hallmark of Down--the woman or couple face a fateful choice: to terminate a pregnancy that has already reached the second trimester, or prepare to raise a child with Down, which causes mild-to-moderate retardation and often other health problems as well. Doctors estimate that 80% to 90% choose the first path."

It's a damn shame the way we write people off (speaking in a broader sense).

As my boss/friend often says "Any day 6 feet above ground is a good day."  If I became an amputee that would be extremely traumatic for me but I wouldn't lose sight of the fact that I'm still vertical and above ground. I am more than the sum of my body parts.

When I lose heart and compassion, that's the day you can scatter my ashes.