MORE babies are being born with Down's syndrome than before pre-natal screening for the disorder was introduced at the end of the 1980s, it was revealed yesterday.
Parents appear more willing to bring a Down's child into the world than they used to be, research shows.
Many are taking the decision because those affected by the syndrome are more accepted in society today and their quality of life has improved, according to a new survey.
After the widespread introduction of screening for Down's syndrome in 1989, the number of babies born with the condition in the UK fell from 717 to 594 at the start of this decade.
But since 2000, the birthrate has increased, reaching 749 in 2006, the latest year for which figures are available.
Figures from a national Down's syndrome register show that the proportion of newborn children with Down's rose by around 15 per cent between 2000 and 2006.
The Down's Syndrome Association, in conjunction with the BBC, conducted a survey of 1,000 of its members to find out why so many were choosing to have Down's children despite the availability of pre-natal screening.
The findings show that while religious or pro-life beliefs counted in about a third of cases, many parents felt that life and society had improved for people affected by Down's. Others said their decision was influenced by the fact that they knew people with Down's or other disabilities.
Carol Boys, chief executive of the Down's Syndrome Association, said: "We are all very surprised by this. It wasn't what any of us working in the field would have anticipated and it seems to show more parents are thinking more carefully before opting for pre-natal screening and termination – that being born with Down's syndrome is being seen in a different light today."When I and others had our babies, it was a very different world – those with Down's syndrome were treated very differently. Now, there is much greater inclusion and acceptance, with mainstream education having a huge role. "We think this plays a part in the decisions parents make – there's even been a baby with Down's syndrome on EastEnders."
Pandora Summerfield, director of Down's Syndrome Scotland, said: "We applaud these women who go ahead with their pregnancies. "It is very heartening to hear that women are making a positive choice because society is more accepting."
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I especially appreciate that many made the decision to have their child because they knew people with Down Syndrome or other disabilities. Acquaintanceship, but especially relationship, with people with disabilities makes all the difference in how we view them and their lives. When we are in relationship with people with disabilities, we value them and their lives and come to understand the common personhood in all of us.
For so many years, those with disabilities, especially developmental disabilities have been isolated, left to their 'own kind' and to the care of 'others' in some unknown facility. What has happned as a result is the ignorance of society regarding disability and people with disabilities. It takes real relationship between people with and without disabilities for destigmazation and understanding to occur.
Unfortunately, relationship isn't happening fast enough. Technology is fast advancing and those who still hold on to beliefs that those with disabilities have a low quality of life and are a burden to society are eager to use technology to end lives.
So, go make a friend. Start here, perhaps. "e-Buddies is an e-mail pen pal program that pairs persons with an intellectual disability in a one-to-one e-mail friendship with a peer volunteer who does not have an intellectual disability."
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