Would you have allowed Bill Gates to be born?

[judy]

I agree with all of you. I don't personally believe that abortion is right, but I do believe in choice. I don't want to impose my values on others in that area. I believe that life begins at conception, but not everybody does, and what others do is their business.

I also have had students with Asperger's and a few autistic children (one went to college because he was so nurtured and loved by his family and teachers!), at least one young man with cerebral palsy, several mentally retarded students, and lots of
students with "special needs," which covers a gamut of disabilities. My own daughter has MS. I have loved each one of these children (well - maybe I could have spent less time with some of the more difficult behavior problems, but usually that's the life of a teacher).

The world would NOT be a better place if all "imperfections" were genetically bred out. I always felt these kids are called "special" because they are, and they are a gift to us so that we can expand our hearts and learn to love those we might not connect with immediately. In the end, we become better people, and that is the blessing we are given.