A Cure?

On the Ds forums and blogs this type of question has been raised: If there was a cure for Down syndrome ,would you want your child to have it?

Usually, I would say no, I love Rylie just the way she is. I would never want to change her. But then last night when I was for some reason having trouble getting to sleep, I started thinking about this. Hmmm, would I want that cure for her? So I will list some reason why I would and some reasons why I wouldn't

I would want the cure so that

1. Her speech would be normal. So that I could always understand her and she could always understand me. I would love to have a real conversation with her about her day, what she's thinking, why she doesn't behave lol!
2. She wouldn't ever be teased or discriminated against.
3. She wouldn't have a higher risk of developing Leukemia or Alzheimer's.
4. She would be able to have children and care for them w/ a husband.

I would not want the cure because

1. Her down syndrome characteristics make her beautiful. I love her eyes w/ her brushfield spots and their almond shape.
2. I believe her extra chromosome is what makes her so carefree. I don't see Rylie ever growing up to be an anxious person and full of worry. I believe she will always live one day at a time. She will not be judgmental and she will be content.
3. She will prove to people that just because she has Down syndrome doesn't mean she won't have a fulfilled and successful life.
4. She has been amazing me since she has been born with all her hard work and accomplishments.
5. She is funny. I mean super funny! Again, I think her humor comes from the extra chromosome.(I really need to start posting some video of her, so you can see for yourself)

Now lets go back to the first list.
Speech- well, with continued speech therapy and hard work from her, me, Vince, and teachers her speech will keep improving and some day we will have real conversations. So, I don't need a cure for that.
Being teased and discriminated against- Well, I have been teased and discriminated against, and I don't have Down syndrome, so I guess the cure wouldn't help with that either.
Leukemia and Alzheimer's-Yes the risk are greater, but you could be cured from Down syndrome and unfortunately still end up developing leukemia or Alzheimer's.
Getting married and having children- Again, people without Down syndrome don't all get married and have children.(Rylie may or may not, I shouldn't even be worrying about this yet)

Now lets say shortly after Rylie was born, a cure was developed for Down syndrome. Lets just say it was a magic "cure all" pill. Would I have wanted it then? ABSOLUTELY! I would have given her the whole bottle and praised God for curing her. I would have jumped on it, believe me. Back when she was born I was praying to God to heal her from Down syndrome, seriously!I was afraid, because I didn't know anything about Down syndrome. I didn't really know Rylie yet, I didn't know how much of a blessing she would be.

After five plus years of having Rylie in my life, I don't think I would want the cure. The Down syndrome is what makes Rylie , well Rylie. She doesn't suffer from Down syndrome. She doesn't need to be cured. We need cures for different diseases and cancer, but not Down syndrome. We need medical breakthroughs and cures for different health issues that people w/ Ds are more susceptible to, but the Down syndrome alone doesn't need a cure.

By the way, In case your wondering, I don't really think there will ever be a cure for Down syndrome.