Counting Blessings During One of the Worst Years Ever

Thanksgiving is upon us. Despite this being one of the worst years ever, there remains much to be thankful for.

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Ch. 2, Part 10: A “serious concern” about cell free DNA screening

And so we have arrived at the final section of Chapter Two’s disquisition on prenatal genetic testing for Down syndrome. It covers how once cell free DNA screening entered the marketplace, professional medical organizations and researchers expressed “serious concern” about its misleading marketing and rapid adoption in clinical practice. But, in just a few years, […]

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The Atlantic Article & the Choice that led to the Disappearance of Down Syndrome

The Atlantic published an article on November 18, 2020 entitled “The Last Children of Down Syndrome”, that has already flown around social media to rave reviews. Here’s some of the new information shared and what it missed was the choice that led to the disappearance of Down syndrome.

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New Visions of Possibilities: Vice President Kamala Harris & Ironman Athlete with Down syndrome Chris Nikic

Saturday, November 7, 2020, was a day of several firsts, providing new visions of what is possible for groups that have for too long been burdened by low expectations.

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Ch. 2, Part 9: Your MaterniT21, Panorama, Harmony, or verifi screen result is NOT 99% Accurate for Down syndrome

Here is the penultimate section of Chapter Two’s exposition on prenatal genetic testing. The previous installments of this serialized book can be accessed at this link. In this second-to-last section, I detail how, for all the marketing claims that tests like MaterniT21, Harmony, et al. are “99% accurate”, for moms 30 and younger, they really […]

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Amy Coney Barrett: First Supreme Court Justice with a child with Down syndrome

With the Senate confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, she will be the first mother of a child with Down syndrome to serve in that high office. What will that mean for people with Down syndrome and those who care about them?

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Caregivers to individuals with Down syndrome should “shield” them from COVID-19

CNN reported at the end of October on a study finding that people with Down syndrome have a 10-fold greater risk of dying from COVID-19. More evidence why caregivers should shield their loved ones with Down syndrome from this awful virus.

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Ch. 2, Part 9: What MaterniT21, Harmony, Panorama, and verifi are actually testing

In the course of Chapter 2’s exploration of prenatal genetic testing, we finally arrive at cell free DNA screening and what exactly tests like MaterniT21, Harmony, and Panorama are actually testing.

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Is Judge Amy Coney Barrett “Hostile” to Disability Rights?

Dozens of disability rights groups have publicly objected to Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court. They claim that her record displays a “hostility” to rights important to those with disabilities. Will she be given an opportunity to address this charge during her confirmation hearing?

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