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KamaAina

(78,249 posts) Thu Aug 25, 2016, 06:43 PM Aug 2016

I’m Raising a Kid With Microcephaly. Here’s What the Media Gets Wrong.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/24/i-m-raising-a-kid-with-microcephaly-here-s-what-the-media-gets-wrong.html

I’m the mom of a microcephalic kid. I am also a news junkie. That’s been a tough combination lately.

I adore Edmund, my kid with microcephaly. I shouldn’t need to say that. In general, moms loving their kids is a given.

I am all too aware, however, that people believe he’s an affliction who must be borne, rather than a source of joy and laughter and an occasional pain in the ass—just like my two typical kids.

The endless pounding of Zika stories, and the descriptions of the grim futures that await the families of microcephalic children, chip away at a façade I’ve built by surrounding myself with friends, family, and a community who value and love my son.

Ponder this. The Catholic Church is waffling on its long-held anti-abortion stance over Zika. Are kids like Edmund that horrible?!

10 replies

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I’m Raising a Kid With Microcephaly. Here’s What the Media Gets Wrong. (Original Post) KamaAina Aug 2016 OP

I am glad they are able to get the help they need to raise their child. uppityperson Aug 2016 #1

Indeed... and I likewise know that that is the exception rather than the rule worldwide... hlthe2b Aug 2016 #2

Well put, thank you uppityperson Aug 2016 #4

i am close to several parents of severely handicapped kids....and i do wish the gop gave a shit dembotoz Aug 2016 #3

She raises good points. Bring the day when all women have the choices and resources she does. Brickbat Aug 2016 #5

What a novel idea. Wellstone ruled Aug 2016 #7

I have a little problem with your subject line. trof Aug 2016 #6

I am a male. There is no possible way I could be "the mom of a microcephalic kid". Or any kid. KamaAina Aug 2016 #8

my daughter is severely retarded with genetic anomaly, and a form of micro demigoddess Aug 2016 #9

I know a nonverbal Autistic woman whose IQ was once measured at 10. KamaAina Aug 2016 #10

uppityperson

(115,677 posts)

1. I am glad they are able to get the help they need to raise their child.

Reply to KamaAina (Original post)

Thu Aug 25, 2016, 06:57 PM

Aug 2016

hlthe2b

(102,236 posts)

2. Indeed... and I likewise know that that is the exception rather than the rule worldwide...

Reply to uppityperson (Reply #1)

Thu Aug 25, 2016, 07:04 PM

Aug 2016

and even in this country.

Bless that Mom, her child and family... But, I'm not going to add to the pain of those who by necessity, or choice, decide not to have a Zika-infected child--and at the risk of offending a wonderful mother such as this, do not think ANY of us should.

uppityperson

(115,677 posts)

4. Well put, thank you

Reply to hlthe2b (Reply #2)

Thu Aug 25, 2016, 07:09 PM

Aug 2016

dembotoz

(16,802 posts)

3. i am close to several parents of severely handicapped kids....and i do wish the gop gave a shit

Reply to KamaAina (Original post)

Thu Aug 25, 2016, 07:08 PM

Aug 2016

after this kids were born....but alas

Brickbat

(19,339 posts)

5. She raises good points. Bring the day when all women have the choices and resources she does.

Reply to KamaAina (Original post)

Thu Aug 25, 2016, 07:11 PM

Aug 2016

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)

7. What a novel idea.

Reply to Brickbat (Reply #5)

Thu Aug 25, 2016, 07:17 PM

Aug 2016

Don't think the GOP gives a flipping damn.

trof

(54,256 posts)

6. I have a little problem with your subject line.

Reply to KamaAina (Original post)

Thu Aug 25, 2016, 07:16 PM

Aug 2016

And this happens a lot here on DU.
From your subject line it appears to me that this is a personal situation you are dealing with.
Wow! I'm CONCERNED!
One of our own!
Turns out it's not.

If it's not personal to you, please put the subject line in "-" quotes.

It doesn't make the situation less tragic, but it's more 'honest'?
Thank you.

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)

8. I am a male. There is no possible way I could be "the mom of a microcephalic kid". Or any kid.

Reply to trof (Reply #6)

Thu Aug 25, 2016, 09:35 PM

Aug 2016

demigoddess

(6,640 posts)

9. my daughter is severely retarded with genetic anomaly, and a form of micro

Reply to KamaAina (Original post)

Thu Aug 25, 2016, 10:30 PM

Aug 2016

cephaly. I say she is a severely retarded person who should apply to mensa. There are so many times she does smart things. Her IQ is some where less than 10. This kid sounds a lot the same. The thing I worry about zika is that it might have long term effects in normal people who are infected. And it seems like a lot of people could be infected. They haven't done a lot of research on it yet, have they??

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)

10. I know a nonverbal Autistic woman whose IQ was once measured at 10.

Reply to demigoddess (Reply #9)

Thu Aug 25, 2016, 11:20 PM

Aug 2016

Using a typing device, she obtained a degree from the University of Denver, which puts her on par with Condoleezza Rice.

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