Should Couple with Down Syndrome Have Children?

Should a Couple with Down Syndrome Be Able to Have Children?

On ABC’s Australian Story recently there was a lovely couple, Michael Cox and Taylor Anderton, who want to get married and have children like most young couples do.  But the thing is, Michael and Taylor have Down Syndrome.  The Queensland couple met at a swimming carnival six years ago and started dating in 2014.  Michael proposed to his sweetheart last year whilst they were on holiday in the United States. Both Michael and Taylor’s parents are delighted that they have found love and support their decision to get married.  However they don’t support their decision to have children.

Michael told ABC’s Australian Story:

“We want to have four kids.  We’ve already chosen the names.  I know that me and Taylor have the skills to be married and start our own family’.

Taylor’s parents are concerned about the couple’s decision to have children.  Michael’s parents are the same.  They both share concerns that perhaps they, as grandparents, will end up playing a major role in the upbringing of any children, or potentially end up as the main carers.

Both Taylor and Michael’s parents have kept the lines of communication open with the couple, and don’t want to risk alienating them with their decisions.  They have sought professional guidance on the matter from counselors, and had the couple seek counselling on the matter also.

Taylor’s mother, Ms Musk says:

“How can I stop it?.  Do I go talk to a specialist, do I talk to a GP and see what the options are?  I don’t know – I don’t know what our rights are and what her rights are.”

“It’s not going to happen, it can’t happen.”

So, Should They?

One part of me says, they are adults.  They are in control of their own bodies and can and should make their own decisions for themselves.

Another part of me feels for the parents of the couple, in the event that they cannot care for a child.  Is it really fair that they end up as full-time carers in their twilight years?  And should they be able to have a say in that?   Another factor is, that although it is rare that the couple CAN fall pregnant, if they do, there is a 50% chance that the child will also have Down Syndrome.

Disability advocates say the decision to start a family lies with the couple, and the couple only and they are entitled to the freedom to make their own decisions.

“People like Michael and Taylor are certainly entitled to the freedom to do with their bodies as they wish, and that includes reproduction.  They have the same rights as everybody else.  The fact that they have a disability doesn’t diminish that”

Neither Michael or Taylor have a job, they can’t drive a car and cannot understand basic mathematics.

Is their decision fair for both the the resulting children, and the Grandparents?

What Are the Chances They CAN Have a Baby?

Medical geneticist, Michael Gattas from Brisbane Genetics, said that the chances of a couple with Down Syndrome falling pregnant were rare, and he had never seen a case at his practice.  Men who have Down Syndrome are not usually able to father a child.  Women with Down Syndrome typically have low fertility rates.  Anywhere between 30 – 50%.  So, is it even going to BE an issue for the couple?

This is a tough one.  Join in the conversation HERE!