Posted by
kevin on March 16, 2000 at 08:15:25:
In Reply to: Down syndrome and cosmetic surgery? posted by Jess Waldman on February 25, 2000 at 10:15:09:
: What do you think about facial plastic surgery for chilren with down syndrome.
: I am a college student at clarion university and I am writing an essay on the pros and cons of cosmetic surgery for
: children with down syndrome. I would like to know what others think about this surgery, whether the parents have the
: right to have a major unnecessary surgery for children who have no idea what is about to happen.
: Can parents have that option? Thanks
Absolutely barbaric - how anyone could even contemplate putting a child through such unneccessary major surgery is beyond belief. And lets face it, they still look like they have DS - just odder. I am a parent of a 7 month old with DS who has already gone through major surgery to have her heart rebuilt. I would never put her through anything like that again without a very serious reason. I believe that the surgery is more a function of parents' denial than anything to do with helping the child.
