Do we really want a world without Down syndrome? | Chessie Henry

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Do we really want a world without Down syndrome? | Chessie Henry | TEDxYouth@Christchurch

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Күн бұрын

In countries where sophisticated tests make it easier and safer to diagnose early, dramatically fewer babies are born with Down syndrome. Chessie Henry’s brother Rufus has Down syndrome, and taught Chessie things her other siblings just couldn’t. In this moving, honest, and funny talk, Chessie asks whether a world without Down syndrome is really a world to strive for. Chessie Henry is the author of We Can Make A Life, a family memoir which was recently awarded the E.H. McCormick prize for General Non-Fiction at the 2019 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
Originally from Kaikoura, she now lives in Lyttelton, Christchurch, where she works as Content Specialist for social change agency Brown Bread. Her personal essays have been published on The Spinoff, The Wireless, and she has an MA in Creative Writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 31

@janeenhenderson7131 3 жыл бұрын

Chessie that was so warming to listen to you and your relationship. This is the second time this week that Rufus has crossed my path. I seen him on the TV as Team NZd won the America's cup. I was shouting at the screen saying that's Rufus.....I'm a kiwi living in the Uk and came across Rufus's KZfaq video this is my life. Please tell him he is famous, so funny and thoughtful. He is part such a big part of our society like others with disabilities.

@breanarodriguez5664 4 күн бұрын

Yes. Life hard enough as it is for people without disabilities. Why bring a child in to this world who cant speak( sometimes non verbal), work, have the possibility of friends and family? Thats torture. Not to mention the numerous health afflictions. Its cruel..

@jessicabates7301 3 жыл бұрын

To answer that question myself no we don't we don't want a world without Down syndrome because they can be the best gifts sent from above I know that for sure because I have Down syndrome as well. Mosaic Down syndrome to be exact to everyone that comments on this video don't comment anything negative about people with Down syndrome without educating yourself first because there's a lot you don't know a lot about the advocacy unless if you were taught it. All I'm just saying is if you love God and don't like people with disabilities that's teaching people the wrong way of life because I'm a believer of God and I'm blessed in the way he made me and other people with other disabilities and people of the same disabilities of me too. Your going to fail in life if your a believer of God and hate people with disabilities I think of that as the biggest sin because it's like someone saying having an extra chromosome is wrong. We're more alike than different even though we may be different because of our disabilities but what makes us more alike is that we're all human and we have feelings just like you.

@mirandaspary1088 4 жыл бұрын

This is so fabulous!!

@janineleblanc-straceski3181 4 ай бұрын

Said all the things about diversity I’ve been wanting to say to our “liberal” society. We should not choose what diversity we want-how absurd! We should accept all diversity and care for each other.

@nielspemberton59 9 ай бұрын

YES ! I don't want to pay a penny to support them.

@cheryllee81 7 ай бұрын

Yes, just like I'd like a world without Huntington Disease, Tay Sachs, Sickle Cell Disease, neurofibromatosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis. I can't believe the way DS is romanticized. I think it's a coping mechanism for the parents. You can't make these blanket statements, every situation is different.

@daisysummer514 5 ай бұрын

Down syndrome is compatible with life and love. You’re deranged for comparing it to these awful DISEASES. I’m sorry you’re still blind to what Down syndrome is. You’re wrong.

@shadrach6299 2 жыл бұрын

Not all DS children have great outcomes. I could never abort one though.

@nielspemberton59 9 ай бұрын

YES. Ther ones I've seen are VERMIN. BTW I'm a msn.

@Meme-go9ts Жыл бұрын

People with Down Syndrome can do awful things just like anyone else. Even as children (I speak from experience). Let's finally stop calling them "angels"... if you can't see that then do you really know someone with DS?

@prrosenkrantz Жыл бұрын

Interesting comment. Not sure what experiences or awful things you are referring to. My daughter has some behavioral problems, but not sure where that falls on your awful scale. Overall, being around the DS community has been a very rich experience and filled with life lessons.

@daisysummer514 5 ай бұрын

Go get help then, instead of crying to the internet

@indefiniteabyss1257 Жыл бұрын

Yes

@francois3160 3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful, we need to talk this over, it is so important to take down the possibilities of selective abortion !!

@blackalien6873 2 жыл бұрын

Or maybe you can mind your own business.

@baniaala6938 4 жыл бұрын

1st view 10:35 PM 23september 2019

@sean_haz 4 жыл бұрын

I think so, lets see if I change my mind

@sean_haz 4 жыл бұрын

It didn't, No issue with people with down syndrome and think they can bring joy but certainly would never choose them over a healthy child.

@norswil8763 4 жыл бұрын

Sean Hazlett, everyone desires a 'healthy' child, but labelling ds as unhealthy seems wrong. It's understandably confronting, but I'm certain you'd love your child regardless of a genetic disorder, deafness, dyslexia or anything. You might very well think differently if ever given first hand perspective.

@sean_haz 4 жыл бұрын

@@norswil8763 I think it is reasonable to refer to them as unhealthy, if my child had any birth disorder that caused them to lose 12 years of their life span I wouldn't consider them healthy. They also need considerably more help throughout their childhood and into adulthood than an "ordinary" child. I think all of this contributes toward the description of "unhealthy". I said "I think so" in response to the question "do we want a world without down syndrome?" You could be right, maybe if I had a child with down syndrome I might still love them, but this doesn't mean I want down syndrome to exist in the world. I also think you can be disappointed about certain aspects of your child and still love them.

@norswil8763 4 жыл бұрын

Sean Hazlett, well I'd say they live healthy and happy until they die, just like anyone. Sure they need extra attention, but I wouldn't consider that an aspect of health, just as a child with dyslexia needs extra attention. I guess we're just trying to define what constitutes as 'healthy'. "I _might_ still love them"? I know you would, and that's just my point, there's that stigma there, it's intimidating, but through it all you'd come out with the same love as you would for any of your children - and you might then consider your ds child very healthy indeed.

@sean_haz 4 жыл бұрын

@@norswil8763 Depending on the individual they could need near full time care in adulthood so I don't really think its equivalent to dyslexia. I'm fairly confident I wouldn't love them as much as my other children but you're probably right I would still love them. I'm also fairly confident that given the choice I would abort a baby I knew had down syndrome, simply because I would like to watch my children grow up and live happy healthy lives independent of their parents, and this is much less likely with a child with down syndrome.