Acceptance of Down Syndrome

As everyone knows, a person with Down syndrome is certainly recognizable, as their disability is plainly visible.  Wide-set, almond-shaped eyes, flat nasal bridge, short stature and short limbs, thick neck, poor muscle tone, and the characteristic protruding tongue and single palm creases—all are outward signs of Down syndrome.  Cognitive impairment, varying degrees of learning disabilities and mental retardation, and congenital heart defects are only a few of the inward signs of this complex genetic condition.  A problem arises, however, when the outward appearance of a child with Down syndrome affects his acceptance into society.  Questions arise.  Should such a child be surgically altered to become more acceptable?  The answer to this question is a resounding “yes” to one couple in the United Kingdom.  A plastic surgeon and his “surgically enhanced” wife admit they are considering surgically altering their daughter’s appearance in the future to assure society’s acceptance of her.  Yet this raises another question:  are they considering surgery to help their daughter in the future, with her happiness in mind, or are they more concerned with their own disappointment in having a less-than-perfect child?  Further, this is certainly commentary on what we, as a society, value…whatever is aesthetically pleasing.

Ophelia Kirwan, age two, has no idea she has Down syndrome, or for that matter, what Down syndrome even is.  She has no idea she looks different from most other two-year-olds, and she has no idea of her pivotal position in this furious ethical debate.  While their admission could be considered noteworthy, her parents maintain they fear that Ophelia and “others like her” will be unfairly judged for their appearance, particularly where it concerns future employment.  They maintain they simply want her to be happy, and they are not alone in this sentiment.  Another couple in the UK have already had cosmetic surgery performed on their own daughter, Georgia, who also has Down syndrome, three times before she was five years old, once to “correct” her protruding tongue, once to “correct” her slanting eyes, and once to “correct” her ears that stuck out.  Again, they cite their daughter’s happiness as their only concern.             

When considering this news story, we must question what these parents are modeling for their children, especially in regard to attitudes toward disabilities.  Many times, these behaviors are learned.  Further, cosmetic surgery can only affect outward appearance.  What will they do for inward manifestations of Down syndrome?  Does this say that outward appearance is of supreme importance?  Ultimately, will cosmetic surgery make any difference to how these children feel about themselves?  Will they even know the difference, and isn’t that what these parents should be considering?