GENERAL HEALTH Prenatal decisions University of Sydney’s Senior Lecturer of Inclusion Education, Dr Spandagou, points out that a decline in fertility rates in Western countries has led to a delay in women having children, increasing birth rates for women over 35 – when the risk of a child with DS is greatest. Since 2003, the fertility rate (births per woman) for women aged 35-39 has been higher than those between 20-24, an accurate reflection of social change around women’s work and family roles. As a result, there are now more women with a higher risk of having a child with DS. On the other hand, due to advances in screening, diagnostics and prenatal technology, there are now more women facing the decision of whether to continue the pregnancy of a child with DS. Prenatal testing to determine whether the foetus has DS has raised a number of ethical issues. RACGP highlights that the decision of whether or not to terminate is based on a complex interplay of factors relating to the parents, family circumstances, socio-cultural environment and professional advice. Relatedly, as the author of Greater Expectations: Living with Down Syndrome in the 21st Century Jan Gothard shows, the live birth rate of children with DS is inversely related to the rate of terminations – a higher rate of abortions leads to lower rates of DS. But despite this correlation, there are over 270 women giving birth to children with DS in Australia annually, many of whom are proving that with a safe environment and loving family, children with DS will reach their potential. Looking ahead With recent improvements in inclusiveness, education and care techniques, as well as a major positive shift in attitudes towards people with DS, the future will only continue to produce superstars like Madeline Stuart and the students at Street Jam. Alison says dancing, as well as all types of physical activity, is pivotal in propelling children and adults with DS forward with confidence and strength. “Dancing has an impact on their general health, muscle tone, learning capacity, but especially their confidence. Here they realise they really can do what they didn’t think they could,” she says. “They learn just as well as other people, just a little slower. But the more dancing and activity they do, the stronger and more incredible they become.” Check out Madeline Stuart’s work facebook.com/madelinesmodelling twitter.com/Madelinesmodel1 Support Madeline’s Go Fund Me campaign gofundme.com/danceensemble 24 Pindara Magazine 2015\2016
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Six
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