Anne De Gaulle
Charles and Anne De Gaulle
All life has dignity. That is such a simple truth. As simple as it is, it is hard to imagine that we have come to a time in history in which 90% of all babies diagnosed with Down syndrome, in the womb, will have their lives taken.
Not long ago, the life of an individual was cut short, clearly because we did not have the means to give them the life saving surgery that is often required. Today, we do. And today, our children are living full and happy lives. So it is hard to imagine that anyone would advocate for the death of our children.
Sadly, there are those who believe that it is a responsiblity of a parent, who finds out while they are pregnant, to end the life of their child. Read any of the comment sections on any Sarah Palin article, and you will find this sad reality. Her rise to fame has brought this into clear focus. Individuals will blatently say that it is a terrible burden on a parent, and on society to bring a child into the world with Down syndrome. We assure you, this could not be further from the truth.
And so we take on this battle, to teach others, that our children have dignity. Often, it can feel like we are taking on an army.
Then we read anecdotes, like the story of Charles De Gaulle, and his beautiful daughter Anne, and we remember, that we are not alone. There are those who have gone before us, who were the first teachers of dignity. We are here to carry on their legacy.
Charles De Gaulle is one such man. He was known as a very strict military man. Only when he was with his daughter, Anne, who happened to have Down syndrome, did this man become a softened soul. What about Anne brought out something in Charles De Gaulle that no other human being could?
It is often said, that the extra chromosome has an amazing power to soften even the hardest of hearts. All of us have witnessed this personally at one time or another. It is always the same. You are in a room with the most ruthless person you have ever encountered in your life. An individual, young or old, who happens to have Down syndrome, enters, and interacts with that person. From no where, joy and laughter, kindness and compassion, oozes out of this once cold and seemingly uncaring individual. How does this happen? The power of the extra chromosome. I warmly refer to it as De Gaulle syndrome. Truly, there are few people who can escape this. Nor would you want to!
Patricia E Bauer wrote an amazing story about Charles De Gaulle, and his beautiful daughter, Anne. We highly recommend you read it! We promise you will be glad you did!
1 Comment
November 17, 2009 at 12:12 am
I had NO IDEA that Charles DeGaulle had a child with Down syndrome! That was a very interesting post, thank you for that! I will be sure to remember that warmly next time I touch down in Paris!
(Charles De Gaulle International Airport)