You'd Think I'd Be Happy About This, Wouldn't You?

This is what I'm talking about. The newly signed Kennedy Brownback Bill. For those who aren't exactly sure what the heck that is, let me give you the simple version.

President Bush has officially signed into law the Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Condition Awareness Act, co-sponsored by Senators Kennedy and Brownback, hence the name of the bill.

Sorry for the not-so-simple wording. But that's what it's called and when government is in charge of naming something they generally tend to go overboard. It's a good thing they're not in charge of naming our children. But that's not spelling it out, so I'll move on.

This bill, in essence, requires that medical professionals relay up-to-date information on Down syndrome and offer support to families who have just had a child diagnosed. (It covers other disabilities as well, which is even better.)

This is incredible news. I am thrilled by this bill. And Senator McCain signed on with it as well, which makes him an awesome supporter of those with disabilities. I have to think that Governor Palin had a lot to do with his signing on with this, and I'm grateful. I know that before Micah was born I was sympathetic to those with disabilities. But after his birth, I am an advocate. There's a world of difference and I think we can expect to see a lot more advocacy from both of them in the future.

But we're not here to talk about the McCain/Palin party. We're talking about the Bill. The one that is an incredibly historic moment in the world of disabilities. The one that will likely change the path of many families and perhaps make that path a little easier to travel. The one that shouldn't need a bill to make happen.

Yep, I said it.

Unless you've been in that hospital bed, holding a newborn in your arms, and have just been told that your son has a genetic abnormality that makes him permanently disabled, you have absolutely no idea what it is like. And you can't even pretend. And the fact that most doctors (as well as people everywhere) consider Down syndrome a defect doesn't help.

When you're giving news like this, I understand that there's no way to break it gently. That's a given. But what you can do is make that person a little less afraid. Paint a rosier picture than the one that is most assuredly swimming in their heads. Help them understand that this is not the end of the world, just a new beginning. Give the families information, and contacts to support groups, and offer help in any way that you can. Isn't this common sense and courtesy?

I mean, if someone was just diagnosed with cancer, do the doctors state that cold fact, say there are clinics out there to help, and leave? Of course not. (Or at least I'd hope not!) I'm sure they're offering as much support as they can in a professional setting. So why is it different when a child is diagnosed with a disability?

Why did they have to make a law to have this happen?

I'm glad someone got fed up with the doctors that pressure parents to abort rather than giving them information and allowing them to make their own choices. (We all know where I stand on that, though.) I'm glad someone got frustrated enough at doctors giving a bleak outlook on their child's life and made changes so that other parents wouldn't have to be kicked in the gut when they're already down. I'm glad someone headed up the grassroots movement that changed the way the medical profession has to present facts to families who just delivered a child they weren't expecting.

If only it would change their way of thinking.

Maybe I'll spearhead that movement. And Micah will be the spokesperson, because my son has a Voice.