Silverbeard said:
You're missing the point.
Consider it this way: If I'm making a sculpture and I make a mistake, I can throw it out and start again. That attitude doesn't work for a child that I have a hand in creating. What if it turns out disabled in some way? Was it my fault? Or was it the other half? And what happens to the little chap? Is it supposed to live out its years blind because its eyes didn't form properly? Or because it doesn't have a leg? It's life will never be 'normal' in any sense of the word and it'll be my fault.
The very thought of forcing such a horrible life on someone- anyone; my child or someone else's- terrifies me. And I avoid it for that reason.
I hope it makes more sense now, mate.
A valid concern, truly. Trust me, it was a prevalent thought in my head during both pregnancies with my kids. IF that were to have happened, and thank god it didnt, I would have done my duty as a father, and spared no expense, nor attempt at making my childs life the best it could possibly be. Then again, thats no different than what I am doing now, it just would have been alot more difficult if that had happened. From what I understand, there is considerable more difficulty for the parents in that case, than the child, in most cases, as we humans tend to be pretty adaptable things. Most children born with an impairment, tend to find a way to work around it pretty quickly.
But again, I do understand that train of thought, as I have gone through the same thoughts twice. For me, personally, I made up my mind that I was going to love my child irregardless of what happened, and decided it was worth trying, so I took the plunge. Two boys later, and I now know that it is the greatest achievement in my life, and I wouldnt change it for anything in the world.
Its a huge, huge, scary step to take in ones life. But man... is it worth it.