Chewymom

I have never paid much attention to tabloid news, so I have no idea what Angelina Jolie believes about God or religion. Maybe she’s one of those scientologists, like Tom Cruise. Who knows?

Here is what I do know. Angelina has, numerous times, presented the gospel. She likely does not even know she is doing it! She is beautiful, famous, and fabulously wealthy. She has the means to choose her life and live it as she pleases. She could attempt to keep herself in the news by pulling Brittany Spears type of stunts. But she doesn’t.

It seems to me that she goes along, and other than dating Brad Pitt, lives her life outside of the media. And then she hones in on an extremely poor country. An orphanage. A specific child. She swoops in and adopts the child. Nobody knows why she chose the child she did. Before she came into Pax Thien’s life, he was a nobody. An orphan. Nobody knew who his mother was–he was completely abandoned. There was nothing he could do to change his status.

Angelina came in and chose him to be her own. Her fame, her wealth, her position, her nationality become his. He now has a family, and it is made up of other orphans, just like himself. He now has a future and a hope.

And so, even without intending to do so, Angelina has preached the love of God for His children by mirroring His adoption of us. I am blown away by the ways God allows Himself to be mirrored in nature and in His fallen world.
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
“The whole earth is full of His glory.”
“The heavens declare the glory of God.”
And so does Angelina.

I have just learned from a reliable source (our local news) that it is illegal to let people under the age of 19 play billiards without the supervision of a parent. I know this because the owner of a teen club in a nearby town was arrested, and the billiard tables are being confiscated because of underage-pool-playing. As one irate parent stated, we can send our 18-year-olds to Iraq, but we can’t let them play pool?? Another example of our laws working to protect us from the real dangers lurking in the world today. Pool tables.

Did you hear the news? Many fur coats are made from dog fur. The humane society is up in arms, as they should be. JC Penney actually pulled the offending coats off of the racks and crossed out the information on the label and then rehung the coats!

Here’s my question. If dog fur is not okay, why is other fur acceptable? Just because we in western society have decided that dogs should be pets? Some societies eat dogs. Others worship cows. What makes one animal food, another a fur coat, a third a leather purse or shoe, and still another a pet?

I don’t have the answers. I’m not even consistently opposed to the use of animals for food and products, although I am more and more inclined that way. I’m just wondering why the fuss over dogs in China, when we don’t give a second thought to the treatment of cattle on a factory farm? Or chickens in a hen house?

If you want to join in my letter writing campaign about the offensive comments on the children’s show on Cartoon Network, Xiaolin Showdown, here is the info. The show aired on February 5, 2007 at 2:00 Central Time. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, read here and here.

Here’s the contact info:

CARTOON NETWORK:
Fill out a form here

TIME WARNER (owner of Cartoon Network):
Edward Adler
Executive Vice President
Corporate Communications
Time Warner Inc.
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-8016

Keith Cocozza
Executive Director
Corporate Communications
Time Warner Inc.
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-8016

Time Warner Inc.
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY10019-8016
212.484.8000

*In contacting the network, it might be useful to tell them you intend to contact the advertisers to complain. They pay attention to money. Here is a list of advertisers—I made this list by watching the show the following day:

GENERAL MILLS (advertised Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Cookie Crisp):
General Mills, Inc.
P.O. Box 9452
Minneapolis, MN 55440
1-800-248-7310
online form

DISNEY TOON TOWN:
online form

POST CEREAL (OWNED BY KRAFT—advertised Fruity Pebbles):
online form
if that doesn’t work, try starting at this page

MCDONALDS:
McDonald’s Corporation
2111 McDonald’s Dr
Oak Brook, IL 60523
1-800-244-6227
online form

POP-TARTS (owned by Kelloggs):
start here to get to online form

CHUCK E CHEESE’S:
email: media@cecentertainment.com
(972) 257-3056 (MEDIA RELATIONS)

U.S. Starlink
222 Merchandise Mart
Suite 2100
Chicago, Illinois 60654-1032
Phone: 312-970-8400
Fax: 312-970-8590
Attn: Rebecca Erlich

Canada Starcom Worldwide
175 Bloor Street East
10th Floor, North Tower
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R9
Phone: 416-928-4226
Fax: 416-925-3360
Attn: Dione McKenzie

NINTENDO (advertised Nintendo DS):
online form
PR DEPT: 425.882.2040
also here

HOT WHEELS (owned by Mattel):
800-382-7470

Mattel, Inc.
333 Continental Boulevard
El Segundo, CA 90245-5012
310-252-2000 tel

Ironically, Mattel has a Children’s Foundation—they might be particularly interested to know what is on the children’s network on which they advertise:

CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION:
Mattel Children’s Foundation
333 Continental Blvd.
Mail Stop: M1-1418
El Segundo, CA 90245
310-252-3630

Please, please–if you have the time and have any concern for those who have Down syndrome and need others to advocate for them, write to these companies and voice your concerns!!! And leave a note in the comments so I can thank you for your efforts on behalf of my son and others like him!

If anyone is interested in helping me and others in the Down syndrome community to correct this offense, I am going to post a copy of a letter I wrote to the NDSC. Even if you do not have a person in your immediate family with Down syndrome, I hope you recognize how offensive this is. Cartoon Network is a channel that targets children. Like it or not, the views expressed there influence many children–maybe not your own, but children your kid goes to school and church with, or children who will grow up to be adults with good or bad attitudes toward those who are different from themselves. The remark on Xiaolin Showdown wasn’t just a mistake–it was a direct jab at people with Down syndrome. And y’all, God made our kids–knit them in their mothers’ wombs. They may not come to this earth with the gift of intelligence, or even of external beauty in the Jessica Simpson sense of the word. But they have so many other values, which I have posted about time and again. In fact, their beauty is awfully close to the attributes God mentions as characterizing His own children. They are attributes Christians are encouraged to aspire to. They are the attributes of Christ Himself. Down syndrome is one of those things that qualifies a person to be one of those “least of these” that Christ talks about. Defending them is something Jesus praised.

If you feel inspired to defend some of our children who are blessed to have so many wonderful attributes, please read the letter I wrote to the NDSC below. It has a list of advertisers–and folks, they’re the ones who pay for the shows. If they receive enough complaints, they will lean on Cartoon Network to do something.

I have a 16-year-old son with Down syndrome. Yesterday (2/5) while
his 8-year-old brother was at home with the flu, I allowed him to
watch TV. He had Cartoon Network on, and he was watching the show
Xiaolin Showdown (at 2:00 Central time). I was only half-way paying
attention, but I heard the following exchange:

Jack: Brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?
Hannibal: My guess, an extra chromosome.

I have written letters of complaint to both Cartoon Network and to
Warner Brothers, who produce the show. I watched the show again today
(2/6) to get a list of advertisers, and so far I have:

Cinnamon Toast Crunch (GM)
Cookie Crisp (GM)
Disney’s Toon Town
Fruity Pebbles (Post)
McDonald’s
Pop Tarts
Chuck E Cheese’s
Nintendo DS
Hot Wheels

Please notify members to write letters of protest. This is just as
serious as the Mongoloid Mike issue a few months ago. It wasn’t just
an “innocent” use of the word “retarded.” This was a blatent slam on
people with Down syndrome on a show for children.

ATLANTA – The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) condemns recent recommendations by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) that convey tacit approval for terminating pregnancies where the fetus has Down syndrome.

The recommendation for first trimester screening of all pregnant women is a change from the current practice of primarily screening women over age 35 who have a higher probability of having a baby with Down syndrome. Women under age 35 are also being screened, often without their full knowledge or consent.

Among the concerns cited by the medical doctors comprising NDSC’s Professional Advisory Committee:

The primary medical reason for first trimester screening is to encourage earlier diagnostic testing in “at risk” pregnancies, in order to facilitate early terminations. Other reasons for prenatal diagnosis, such as hospital selection and delivery management, do not require first trimester testing.

Based on ACOG’s figures, the recommended screenings will produce numerous false positives, potentially leading to unnecessary patient distress and possible termination of pregnancies where medical concerns do not exist.

All screening or diagnostic tests need to be fully explained to patients, who should be provided the opportunity to decline or give their informed consent for testing. If patients decline certain tests, physicians and other medical personnel should respect the individual’s wishes and not overtly or covertly pressure patients to undergo undesired screenings.

Recent studies by Dr. Brian Skotko, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2005) and Pediatrics (2005) note that many doctors are inadequately prepared to deliver a diagnosis of Down syndrome, and often use negative language or out-of-date information. ACOG’s recommendations do not address this situation, nor how it will be corrected.

Studies have shown that parents and siblings of children with Down syndrome overwhelmingly report that having a family member with that diagnosis has been a good situation. Early intervention and inclusive education have led to largely positive outcomes for children with Down syndrome. It is unacceptable that many obstetricians present negatives — and seem to emphasize pregnancy termination — rather than reporting the facts, which paint a much more positive picture.

Parents who receive a diagnosis that their fetus has Down syndrome should have the opportunity to meet a family that includes a person with the syndrome, a move in keeping with the spirit of the Kennedy-Brownback bill.

NDSC Executive Director David Tolleson notes that “Down syndrome is a serious diagnosis; however we have seen families thrive.” “We empathize with obstetricians who fear ‘wrongful life’ lawsuits,” Tolleson adds, “but the cure for that problem is tort reform, not preventing the births of a whole class of people.”

Jeff Mattson, a man with Down syndrome, agrees: “People with Down syndrome want to live life to the fullest.”

According to Tolleson, “the NDSC is here to support doctors in delivering a diagnosis and parents through the pregnancy, birth and life of their child.”

People who do not have a child with Down syndrome may find it hard to understand why those of us with a “chromosomally-enhanced” person in our lives are so offended by abortion. First, realize that 90% of all prenatally diagnosed babies with Down syndrome are aborted. That means our children are being robbed of the sense that there are a lot of other people like them in the world. But it goes beyond that.

Picture your child–one who is “normal.” Imagine that a neighbor, friend, or co-worker came to you and said they had a prenatal test done and weren’t happy with the results and planned to abort. They aren’t strong enough to raise a child like this, they could never love a child like this, they don’t think it would be fair to the child or to their other children. You ask what is wrong. This person tells you that they have learned that her child will be bad at math, just like your son Johnny. You say, “Wait! There’s so much more to Johnny than his lack of math skills! He is the fastest runner on the track team, and his writing has won awards!” And yet it isn’t enough for your friend. She aborts a child who would be very much like your own. It’s offensive!

Or suppose the reason is, “I don’t want her to have curly red hair and fair skin and freckels–I always imagined a baby with an olive complexion and green eyes–a beauty queen.” You say, “Wait! My daughter has curly red hair, fair skin, and freckles. And she has the voice of an angel. She is always kind to her friends, and I think she is stunningly beautiful.” It isn’t enough for this woman, and she chooses abortion over having a child who looks like your own. It stings your heart.

Your friend chooses abortion because they found out their baby will likely be uncoordinated, and they always wanted a basketball star, not a clutz like your kid. You point out that your son is the backbone of the team in terms of spirit, and besides he won the state fair in technology. You cannot understand why your friend does not see the good things that are possible and you are hurt that she would deem someone like your son unworthy of life.

Now, imagine that this is happening 90% of the time when someone is told their child will be like yours. The medical community and genetic counselors like Lynn have turned your child into a list of medical anomolies and statistics and have depersonalized him in such a way that he hardly sounds like a person! And out of fear, parents are choosing abortion right and left as they face the sheer terror of raising a son or daughter like your own.

People post hateful comments on blogs about how children like yours are a drain on society–financially, emotionally, medically. You try to argue that there is more to it than the cost. Your child is growing up to be a working, tax-paying member of society. He is providing many, many intangible gifts, like teaching others the value of kindness. Like not judging a person when her hair is greasy, his clothes are unstylish, or there is a huge zit in the middle of her face. He perceives when someone is down, tired, and emotionally drained and is there with a hug and a friendly smile, asking what’s wrong because he cares. He asks zany and embarrassing questions in group settings that make his brother want to kill him, and yet he breaks the ice and makes it safe to say whatever you want to. He sings songs of praise to God more passionately than anyone in the choir, even if it is a bit off-key. He high-fives you because you just told him about someone you met with special needs, and that excites him–and he wants to be sure they are invited to “special needs night” at the local Baptist church.

All of those positive things and many more, however, are overlooked–by the medical community, by grumpy commenters on blogs (not on mine!), and by would-be parents who are underinformed. A child with an extra chromosome is simply a medical anomoly and a risk to the happiness of the parent and to the good of society as a whole and must be disposed of. And that offends those of us who have children with Down syndrome who know that there is SO much more there than just a list of medical risks.

On my post below, I received the following comment from a genetic counselor. I wanted to paste the entire comment, and then comment on it myself:

I have read all of the comments posted about this article so far. I have not read one from a genetic or obstetric professional perspective so I will add my 2 cents. I have been a genetic counselor for over 30 years and spent many of those years practicing prenatal genetic counseling. I have counseled hundreds of families about the pros and cons of having prenatal genetic screening and many of them when the results of the screening or testing indicated a fetal difference. In the genetics, we are frequently called upon to provide information and discussion of available options and to convey this information as non-judgementally as possible. We may have a personal opinion about the choices we are offering to patients but it is our job as professionals to not influence the patient with our own perspective. In fact, in professional genetic counseling there is an approach called nondirectional counseling. Genetic professionals focus their discussions in a way designed to not make recommendations. We offer options, we discuss the possible outcomes of each option and we support whatever decision the family chooses. In addition I have known and been involved with the care for many infants, children and adults with Down Syndrome. What has not been said here is that a significant proportion of Down Syndrome infants will have other serious health problems more frequently than individuals with a normal number of chromosomes, including but not limited to:

* Congenital heart disease requiring surgery
* Childhood leukemia requiring chemotherapy
* Hearing problems
* Intestinal problems, such as blocked small bowel or esophagus
* Celiac disease
* Eye problems, such as cataracts
* Thyroid dysfunction
* Skeletal problems
* Dementia—similar to Alzheimer’s and occuring earlier than in the genetal population

All of these problems are amenable to treatment but treatment for a child with mental deficiencies is difficult.

All that said, choosing whether or not to have a child with a chromosome or other abnormality that can be detected with simple screening early in pregnancy remains the mother’s decision. Knowing in advance that a child will have Down Syndrome also allows for the possibility of additional, usually imaging, procedures during the pregnancy to determine whther there are additonal concerns such as a heart defect. If such problems are identified before the child is born the outcome may be improved.

I have not received real genetic counselling, so I cannot address what a counselor does or does not do when meeting with a family. After the fact of DS16’s birth, our genetecist told us that he was “an accident,” which I found offensive, as there was definitely not a positive connotation. Not to mention, that goes directly against my theology that there ARE no accidents. My son was knitted in the womb, just as any child is, by the hands of a loving Father who has a wonderful plan for his life and the lives he touches.

My other experiences prenatally were with my pregnancies carrying DS11 and DD4. In both instances, we were encouraged to get an amnio pronto because there were risk factors present for Down syndrome. We had to hurry up because the clock was ticking on the timeframe during which we could terminate. And I might also mention that whenever I have declined the AFP test with any pregnancy, I have been pushed, prodded, and practically threatened for choosing not to have it. And then I had to sign a paper stating that it had been offered. A “cya” paper, I’m sure. So although it may be true that a genetic counselor should remain non-influential, I felt very much influenced and even pressured by ob/gyns to have testing done. And our actual genetic doctor, although she could do nothing to influence our decision since she came onto the scene after the fact of his birth, her words definitely had the power to influence how we viewed our son.

I specifically want to address this portion of the above comment:

What has not been said here is that a significant proportion of Down Syndrome infants will have other serious health problems more frequently than individuals with a normal number of chromosomes, including but not limited to:

* Congenital heart disease requiring surgery
* Childhood leukemia requiring chemotherapy
* Hearing problems
* Intestinal problems, such as blocked small bowel or esophagus
* Celiac disease
* Eye problems, such as cataracts
* Thyroid dysfunction
* Skeletal problems
* Dementia—similar to Alzheimer’s and occuring earlier than in the genetal population

All of these problems are amenable to treatment but treatment for a child with mental deficiencies is difficult.

Using the language “serious health problems” definitely raises red flags and alarms a pregnant mother. Also, not all of these occur in a “significant proportion” of people with Down syndrome. And could someone please explain to me what in the heck is meant by saying that treatment for a child with mental deficiencies is difficult??? Huh??? How is that any more difficult than for a typical child. My 16-year-old goes to the doctor just as easily as any other of my children. Only, he’s more friendly to the nursing staff.

• Congenital heart defects–Last I heard, this affects 40% of those born with Down syndrome. Heart defects certainly can be serious, but often they heal on their own. Surgery to repair a hole in the heart, for some reason, tends to be MORE successful on people with Down syndrome than on the general population.
• Childhood leukemia requiring chemotherapy–This is statistically a significantly higher risk than for the general population. One in every 95 children with Down syndrome develops leukemia, compared with one in every 2000 children without Down syndrome. Still, that is just over a 1% chance of the child with Down syndrome developing leukemia. And again, although not a disease any parent would choose for her child to have, it is often successfully treated.
• Hearing problems–I would not exactly call hearing problems a serious health problem. My grandmother, father, and mother all had hearing problems. My grandmother and mother got hearing aids. My dad either pretended to hear what people said or asked them to repeat themselves. It was hardly a “serious health problem.” An inconvenience, maybe. Hardly a reason to terminate a pregnancy.
• Intestinal problems, such as blocked small bowel or esophagus–I could not find a statistic for this. Over the last 16 years, I have met hundreds of people with Down syndrome. I know of one whose “innards” were reversed. It did not require any surgery, but he did need it noted on his medical charts in case he ever needed emergency surgery. (Wouldn’t want him opened up on the wrong side, or the wrong organ removed!!) Other than that, I cannot think of anyone I know of who has had a blocked small bowel or esophagus (both of which are serious, but correctable with surgery, I believe).
• Celiac disease–Celiac disease is more prevalent in the general population than people realize. We kill ourselves with the ridiculous number of grains we consume. Untreated celiac disease is serious. Know how to treat it? Stop eating wheat. The diet is inconvenient, but the disease is completely treatable if the diet is followed.
• Eye problems, such as cataracts–Seriously? Is this really listed as a serious health problem? Again, I have never heard of anyone with Down syndrome having cataracts. My dog has them, though.
• Thyroid dysfunction–Fifteen to twenty percent of people with Down syndrome have hypothyroidism. This is another totally treatable disorder. I can hardly imagine someone choosing to abort a baby because they might have thyroid issues down the road.
• Skeletal problems–The most common skeletal problems for a person with Down syndrome are kneecap subluxation (incomplete or partial dislocation), hip dislocation, and atlantoaxial instability.
• Dementia—similar to Alzheimer’s and occuring earlier than in the genetal population–Dementia and Alzheimer’s are frightening disorders. The connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s are being studied. Hopefully this will help many individuals down the road–both with and without an extra chromosome.

If I compared the health of DS16 to his brothers and sister, he is probably my healthiest child. He never had tubes in his ears, he has never had asthma, he rarely gets colds. He did have surgery for reflux (and so did DS8), and he suffers from some kind of allergies, although we have never identified what causes him to react. His reflux is rarely an issue any more, and the allergies are managed with Claritin. I am not saying that it is always easy to have a child with Down syndrome, but having a child in general isn’t “easy.” Any person who plans to have a child needs to be prepared to be inconvenienced often! A parent should know that there are health risks and issues with almost any child.

Leticia, who also posted a comment on the same post makes an excellent point when she says that the approach of Lynn is cold and clinical. There are positives in the diagnosis of Down syndrome, but you don’t hear anything to that effect mentioned. If a genetic counselor (or perinatologist or ob/gyn or pediatrician) is going to list the many “problems” associated with having a child with Down syndrome, the good side needs to be mentioned as well. Do you think I see my son as only a list of problems? Certainly not!!! He is joyful. He is kind. He is intuitive. He is sensitive. He is outgoing and friendly. He does not accept societal stigmas, stereotypes, and rules–he follows his heart in reaching out to others, in seeing beyond the exterior into the heart of each person he knows. These are all things he has taught to me and to my family and to his friends. Does anyone tell a parent-to-be that her child with an extra chromosome will be a teacher and a leader? No. They are told of the health problems and the inconveniences they are likely to experience because of their child, but they are rarely told of the benefits, and this is wrong. It is hardly unbiased. And it is certainly unfair–both to the mother, because she may make a decision without full information, and to people like my son who may be robbed of the opportunity to grow up with more people like himself, not to mention that it is unfair to the world in general. With life becoming more frightening and less personal, don’t we need a few more people who are tenderhearted and willing to reach out beyond themselves and love unconditionally? I say yes, we do.

For a really awesome article on this very subject, check out “Golly What Did Jon Do?”!

I ought to be weighing in on the scale. Although I had lost about 15 pounds over the course of the past year, I know I gained back a ton, thanks to the holidays and my sugar-binges. Actually, if you are interested in topics about weight, stay tuned to Fat Triplets, because I think they are cooking up a little contest. All three want to shed a few pounds, and being that they’re triplets, they’re pretty motivated to compete with one another.

But that is not why I’m weighing in. Disability has been in the news a lot this past week, and since disability is part of my family and therefore my life, I feel like I ought to give my .02. My sweet friend Nicole at All4Gals considers it her privilege and her passion to advocate for those who are disabled. I’m not quite that passionate. Just living life takes all of the energy I have, so my disability awareness is more along the lines of living with my 16-year-old son and treating him like any other member of our family–hoping for the best for him, teaching him our values and our faith, helping him become all that he is designed to be, maximizing his strengths.

This week, however, three things have appeared in the news. The first involves pre-natal testing for Down syndrome. If you did not see the article in your local paper, you can read about it here. First, let me say that I am very troubled at the push for prenatal testing. It is true, before DS16 I probably would not have chosen this life. But I also would not have aborted my baby. And yet, that is what 90% of those who receive Down syndrome as a prenatal diagnosis choose to do. Sadly, Down syndrome is often presented as a terrible thing. It has its challenges–I won’t kid you. But there is a lot more to life than getting straight A’s and becoming a successful money earner. DS16 has taught me that. And more importantly, he has taught that to his brothers and friends. In fact, there are at least two kids I know of in his high school who are volunteering with the special ed group specifically because they know DS16. Because of him, they have realized the value in all of life, and they have learned to be comfortable around those who are differently-abled. One of these is a very handsome, cool 17-year-old guy. If I had been one of the 90%, I would have robbed him of the opportunity to know my son, and possibly of the opportunity to realize this ability within himself to be compassionate and to help those with special needs.

The specific test, by the way, combines a blood test (which is still highly inaccurate) and a nucal translucency scan. Interestingly, I had that scan with DS11 and DD4. With DS11, it showed an increased risk of Down syndrome, so we did further testing. He was and is totally fine, but I guess he just had a “thick neck.” DD4’s scan was normal. And I guess, ultimately I wouldn’t even have a problem with the prenatal testing frenzy if it were for the sake of knowledge. But it is for the sake of perfection, and that is what bothers me. We are in a mad dash to have perfect lives–cars more expensive than we can afford that have luxuries unthought of a decade ago, houses that have immaculate lawns, sprayed with all kinds of chemicals, perfectly tanned, fit bodies, and children who excel at 10 sports and get straight A’s. What is so bad about a little imperfection? (Hint: nothing!)

There were two other articles that got my attention this week. The first is about a twelve-year-old girl (a special education student) who was disciplined for wetting her pants. Give me a BREAK! Now, I have to say, I have had someone tinkle “at me” before. One of my nieces, who shall remain unnamed, got angry with me and tee-tee’d on my sofa when she was two. But people she was TWO and CLEARLY defiant! And frankly, annoyed as I was, it was FUNNY!!! This incident is a 12-year-old who is being accused of doing this in a defiant way. Come ON! What 12-year-old do you know who would choose to wet her pants?? A two-year, maybe. And if this student has the mental ability of a two-year-old (because I know that’s what some people are probably thinking) then she certainly doesn’t need to be punished!! Please go to Nicole’s blog and read more, because she quoted a response that is spot on.

Last, there was an article about some parents who stunted thier daughter’s growth so she didn’t get too big for them to care for her. I have not lived that life, so I want to be careful–it is so easy to pass judgement from the outside. Still, this just doesn’t sound right to me. I have friends who have a severly disabled son who is just a few months older than DS16. When he was very little, his growth was a big concern to them because his mother had a bad back. I am not in close touch with them, so I cannot say for certain that they are managing. But last I heard, their son was not that big, and they had an older son who was a very capable help to him. Anyway, I will let you draw your own conclusions on this one.

Unlike the other two issues where I have told you what to think.

Just over a week ago, there was a deadly bus accident in Huntsville, not far from where I live. Four students died as a result of the wreck. I cannot imagine the grief of the families and friends as they buried their young teenage daughters over the course of the Thanksgiving weekend. In our area, many churches have rushed to come alongside those affected by the tragedy, hosting prayer vigils.

Westboro Baptist Church out of Topeka, Kansas, has a different method of coming alongside those affected by tragedy. Typically, they are present at the funerals of fallen soldiers, but they decided to attend the funeral of one of the students killed in the bus accident. Why do they travel all the way from Kansas? To protest homosexuality, of course. They seem to blame every tragedy on homosexuality, claiming it is God’s way of punishing America for condoning it.

I cannot think of anything that is further from the truths of Scripture, in spite of the fact that their website, “GodHatesFags.com” states that it is full of the gospel. Um, hello??? The gospel is GOOD news!!! Yes, I believe that there is sin, and that God punishes it. But the message of the gospel is that we are ALL sinful and we ALL need Jesus!!

Westboro Baptist Church is just plain wrong, and what they are doing is an embarrassment to Christian churches everywhere. There should be laws against protesters at a funeral. Let those who mourn do so in peace. Mourn with them, just as Jesus mourned with Mary and Martha when Lazarus died. It is absolutely not Christian to twist a knife in the pain of those who mourn the loss of a loved one.