Coming from first hand experience with mentally challenged kids all i can say in response to aubrey's question is no. It's disgusting how people thing of children/adults with mental or physical difficulties as animals, or morphed in some odd way. I agree with Jim, the thought of using abortion as a way out of taking care of a child with a defficiency is disheartening on so many levels. My friend adopted a boy six years ago, no knowing that he was autistic. She's a single mother with a 12 year old son and gets no support financially or emotionally from her jack ass of a husband. Like Aubrey said, it's hard raising a child with needs on a low income, yet she manages to do it. yea sure it help that the state pays me to watch him thirty hours a week so she can free time; but she's one of the most caring, patient, fun, loving, inviting people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. So no, I think it's wrong, immoral and down right unethical to even *think* of aborting a child just because you know that they will be born with a defect. For god sake, if it's a planned birth why the hell wouldn't you want that child? God, or whomever is up there, gave you this *being* for a reason. Yes it's hypocritical of me to be be anti-abortion on this subject, but if you want a child, and you planned the birth, and one little hiccup such as a defect gets in the way, you shouldn't be ALLOWED to have children. having a child with a "defect" has PROVEN to sober parents to the point of changing their outlook on life and how they live day to day. Babies are babies, people are people. Even if your child is going to be born with three noses, take pride in the fact that they will have an extra sense of smell ya know? I don't know, I'm just ranting now because it's killing me since I have had so much to do with Pro Rights of Physically/Mentally Challenged Youth....

And Aubrey, I'm not saying what your mom was thinking was wrong, at all, because I understand where she's coming from. But if you can carry the child to term, and are able to give birth and are of proper age, I don't see why said person couldn't choose adoption as an option there. Also the state is improving the funds for mentally/physically disabled families and there are many options for people who aren't able to afford 24/7 care for their children. Jenny McCarthy recently donated 2 M for research and development of homes for mentally disabled youth (her son has autism)...

I guess the point is this: There are OPTIONS for cases such as this. NWSRA (I work for them) ClearBrook, (I work for them too), Respite Workers Employed By The State ( 10 bucks an hour paid in full by the state to care for children/teens so parents can get things done and not worry about the safety of their children) The Todd Fund (Research center for Autism), Kylestreehouse.org (Site/location for those in need of help), NAA (gives you resources and respite workers), neurodiversity housing (provides housing for autistic/down syndrome kids/teens/and adults). so I mean there are SOOO many options, and most of the time when people are faced with this situation, it's with a couple who WANTS a child.