I have an article up at Motherlode, the parenting blog for the NYTimes. I sort of can't believe this.
Please go over and have a look, and let me know what you think. The article relates to the book project I'm working on, a feminist disability studies approach to prenatal testing and parenting children with Down syndrome. The editor has alerted me to the fact that the comments section will probably be very interesting. I want to know what Readers in the World think, but I also really want to know what Baxter Sez readers think.
Oh, and I hate to make Girl w/Pen such an afterthought, but I have a piece up over there today, too, so have a look at it, too!
Okay, and a final thought: if readers from Motherlode come over here looking for more, you might start here, where I've assembled a list of past posts about Maybelle and Down syndrome. Or, you know, just scroll around. We talk about Maybelle all the time. And politics, too.
10 years ago
20 comments:
Article looks great and there is a really interesting convo going on in the comments on Motherlode -- each response based on a hasty read or unsupported assumptions is getting a counter comment. Bravo!
Congrats. I'm scared to look at comments, but I will resign myself to doing so --
Elizabeth, I'm wary of looking at the comments, too, but so far they're not too terrifying.
Congrats! Can't wait to read the article AND the book!
So cool to see your piece there, and an awesome piece to boot! As someone currently going through the fetal diagnostic process, since one of my in-utero twins has been diagnosed with spina bifida, I whole-heartedly agree with all of the following: the need for more information so parents can make the best choices for their families, the need for the de-stigmatizing of disability to lessen the rates of abortion for those who receive fetal diagnoses, and absolute support for a woman's right to abort a pregnancy for any reason at any time, period. More than anything, what has helped me through this process has been finding bloggers writing about the full, rich lives of their children with spina bifida. I'd imagine parents facing a Down Syndrome diagnosis feel the same way when they find your blog and see what a LIFE Maybelle and you guys have. That a diagnosis does not have to be a worst-case scenario.
I would say you seem to have a pretty sympathetic audience in the NYT readers! I was expecting to find more anger but it was all pretty civil. I think pro-choice people were even offended somewhat by your article. I find that amusing since they obviously don't understand the extent of your pro-choice beliefs!!
Congrats!!! The article is excellent, of course, and the comments aren't even heinous.
What an amazing opportunity, and of course you used the opportunity to provide a smart, nuanced, complex, deeply personal, yet also political story. I'm proud to know you!
great article with a great conversation following. I so admire your passion and your authenticity. Maybelle has one helluva Mama!
Well-written and thoughtful, Alison. Congratulations!
Thanks for the comments, y'all!
And erniebufflo, I'm really glad to hear that you're finding good information about living a great life with a child with spina bifida. I don't have any specific resources to suggest to you, but I will say start reading some disability studies stuff. Disability studies and disability activist folks are GREAT.
I'm posting on my thoughts on my blog
http://wp.me/pgY75-MY
and also left a comment on the Motherlode post. As usual, I was appalled but the comments and alarmed at how ideologically people come at this. I'd leave a more lengthy comment here and don't want to self promote but it was too lengthy to leave here so come on over....
I am struggling. Can two people with strong opposing views have a genuine discussion that aims for truth and not debate? Please share your thoughts about my questions. Do you believe the unborn child is alive and is human? A doctor told a true story where he witnessed a team of doctors working frantically to save a premature baby's life. In the next room, an aborted baby of around the same gestational age was left to die in a trash can. Why do people feel an unborn child is only valuable if he/she is loved and wanted? Doesn't that child have intrinsic value? Have you watched the video, The Silent Scream? It's on YouTube. Are you scared to watch it? I am. I saw it several years ago in college and I'm scared to watch it again. Please believe me, none of this was written in anger. I truly want to know your thoughts.
Yeah. I've watched The Silent Scream. I was made to watch it in 9th grade at the private christian high school i attended. I believed every word of it and it gave me nightmares for months.
I can't believe that the people teaching me didn't know any better than to show such an irresponsible, lying piece of propaganda to anyone, let alone a 13 year old.
correction. Just wikied the movie and it came out in 1984. That would put me in tenth grade.
Congratulations Alison! You're on your way to making a scholarly cameo in a major movie one day! I think the post is brillant and I look forward to reading the article and later the book! I hope all is well!
And a thank you on behalf of the Alumni Relations stafd for being a notary of the feminist republic and working with Jack on the Charleston Affair design! Ha!
Obviously, I don't want to watch the Silent Scream again. So, I'm not sure what inaccuracies you're referring to. Also, I do not claim in any way to be a medical expert. If I remember correctly, a truth from the film is that innocent life was taken. My real question is why would life only be deemed valuable if it is loved or wanted? Again, this was asked for the purpose of a respectful discussion.
anon: Thanks for your comments. But i gotta say, i don't want to use the comments section for discussion. Perhaps Alison will respond, but i'm thinking i may write an actual post as my actual response to what you're saying asking here.
Good for you! I was excited to see your byline in that feed the other day. I love reading your thoughts on feminism and disability and parenting. I'm glad you were able to touch that audience of readers.
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