|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/3/2008 9:18:28 PM
|
|
|
betterisoneday
Posts: 278
Joined: 1/10/2008
Status: offline
|
quote:
However, many of them have not gone in for testing because they just don't want to know. THAT is something I cannot understand at all!
This I do actually understand. My grandfather died of ALS when my mom was 14, it can be inherited. Often time I will have some sort of weakness feeling in my legs or shoulders and worry about it, but I would never want to know. There is nothing they can do for it and you don't know when you'd get it. You could have young children or they could be fully grown, and for my grandfather it meant 4 yrs of only being able to hear and to move his eyes.
If I may comment on the quiverfull thing, would it be possible for anyone to entertain the idea that G-d calls some to be qf and others He gives a heart for adoption because of things like this? Or would that go to far for most? And of course, it would cause questions about those of us who want both bio and adop children.
As for what I'd do if I knew my chances were high of passing on something... it would depend, as others have said, on what it was, the treatments available, etc.
_____________________________
No reserves. No retreat. No regret.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/3/2008 11:27:47 PM
|
|
|
TammyIsBlessed
Posts: 1635
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Sideways
quote:
ORIGINAL: TammyIsBlessed
One thing that is scary - one of my cousins has not gone in for testing because he is a pilot, and if he tested positive for this gene, he wouldn't be allowed to be a pilot anymore!
I can imagine this is a great comfort to the people who put their lives in his hands when they step on board a plane. 
I wonder if there will come a day when people like your cousin will be forced to undergo genetic testing, on the grounds that other people could die if they do have a certain gene/disease.
My thoughts exactly. Thankfully there are co-pilots - but still! And right now, he's flying for Medivac!!
_____________________________
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do. Helen Keller
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/3/2008 11:50:02 PM
|
|
|
uponeagleswings
Posts: 1771
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Out here in the desert
Status: offline
|
DH and I actually have discussed this issue at some length. For a little while I worked with a kiddo who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 1. It is a progressive condition that causes atrophy of the motor neurons, which results in a loss of muscle tone (affects the ability to move, breathe, cough, swallow, etc), although cognitive function is normal to high. SMA-1 is the most severe type- the average life expectancy is about 18 months.  As of now there are no effective treatments or cures. Its passed on exactly like the OP said: each parent has to be a carrier, and they have a 1:4 chance of having a child with the condition, a 2:4 chance of having a child who is a healthy carrier, and a 1:4 chance of having a healthy (non-carrier) child.
I don't personally think we would have any genetic testing done before having a child- so far as we can tell nothing severe like SMA, CF, or MD seems to run in either of our families. If we had a child with a genetic condition like that, we would obviously love and care for that child, but we would most likely also opt for some type of permanent sterilization and pursue adoption.
_____________________________
Stacy The Story "A violet is not an impaired daisy."
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/4/2008 6:03:24 PM
|
|
|
iampiper13
Posts: 58
Joined: 5/31/2008
From: Maryland
Status: offline
|
Uponeagleswings is right about the SMA I should know my youngest is an SMA kid although she is a weak type2. After she was diagnosed my bro-in-law(wifes bro) and his wife were pregnant with their second baby. His wifes cousin has a child with SMA so the odds of both of them being carriers were increased. The doctor they were going to suggested aborting needless to say they stopped going to that doctor. Having a special needs kid can be tough but with the Lord in charge it can be done and be a real blessing.
_____________________________
God Bless
Steve
Psalms 138:3 CEV When I asked for your help, you answered my prayer and gave me courage.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/4/2008 7:07:46 PM
|
|
|
shadowspring
Posts: 1638
Joined: 5/27/2006
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: betterisoneday
quote:
However, many of them have not gone in for testing because they just don't want to know. THAT is something I cannot understand at all!
This I do actually understand. My grandfather died of ALS when my mom was 14, it can be inherited. Often time I will have some sort of weakness feeling in my legs or shoulders and worry about it, but I would never want to know. There is nothing they can do for it and you don't know when you'd get it. You could have young children or they could be fully grown, and for my grandfather it meant 4 yrs of only being able to hear and to move his eyes.
If I may comment on the quiverfull thing, would it be possible for anyone to entertain the idea that G-d calls some to be qf and others He gives a heart for adoption because of things like this? Or would that go to far for most? And of course, it would cause questions about those of us who want both bio and adop children.
As for what I'd do if I knew my chances were high of passing on something... it would depend, as others have said, on what it was, the treatments available, etc.
I think it is quite possible that God will call us in different directions where raising children is concerned. He created the world with such infinite variety on purpose, it seems to me. 
_____________________________
"Blessed is the man...whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by rivers of water..." from Psalm 1
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/4/2008 10:46:57 PM
|
|
|
W.O.F.
Posts: 1497
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: an ignoble beginning
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Sideways
The large family thread got me thinking. With medical testing we can see if we are carriers for things like cystic fibrosis. You might find out that you and your spouse have a 1 in 4 shot of having a child with this that (eventually) lethal disease. As someone else pointed out...each child has this 1 in 4 shot. The risk does not increase with the number of children you have, nor does it go down if you have only 1 or two. Each child has that 1 in 4 chance. Does that make is something to take lightly? NOT AT ALL...it must, as ALL childbearing decisions...be made with much prayer and thought.
quote:
Would you still choose to have kids together? Would you adopt? Use a sperm donor? How high would the odds have to be before changing your plans? How severe would the disease have to be? I think herein lies where we would disagree.....if it my personal plans and desires...than that is one thing...but that is assuming that one is only acting on their own desires/plans and not on a calling that God may have placed on their life.
IF one is called/convicted by God to be quiverful...one does not usually have the convenience of turning off that calling just because it might be difficult. You will need to spend a lot of time in prayer...and truly seek where God would lead you to go....He may release you from that calling...or He may call you to be obedient in that calling IN SPITE of everything.
If however it is merely one's desire for a large family... and not a conviction..then one must be honest with one's self and truly assess the risk.
I think comes down to this....wherever you are coming from, this would be something to be seriously seek guidance from the Lord and be open to follow wherever God leads...because our ultimate goal should always be obedience and His glory...even if it "messes with our plans.quote:
We're NOT discussing abortion here! Let's take that off the table right now. But before a child is even conceived, if you knew genetics were against you, what would it take, if anything for you to change your child-bearing plans.
Again, it would depend on whether they were YOUR plans or God's plans.....it would, for me, be a question of whether or not I'd be willing to be obedient to follow what God has convicted me of....in the face of such odds.
_____________________________
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "Oh no, she's awake."
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/4/2008 10:50:23 PM
|
|
|
W.O.F.
Posts: 1497
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: an ignoble beginning
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: betterisoneday
quote:
However, many of them have not gone in for testing because they just don't want to know. THAT is something I cannot understand at all!
If I may comment on the quiverfull thing, would it be possible for anyone to entertain the idea that G-d calls some to be qf and others He gives a heart for adoption because of things like this? Or would that go to far for most? And of course, it would cause questions about those of us who want both bio and adop children.
OF COURSE...God does not call everyone to be missionaries, or doctors, or wear only dresses, or only ties....He calls us each to obey in the QF, for others....it may be something else. The key is always being obedient to Him and being willing to follow Him where ever He leads...no matter how rocky the road may or may not be.
_____________________________
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "Oh no, she's awake."
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/5/2008 3:35:19 PM
|
|
|
TammyIsBlessed
Posts: 1635
Status: offline
|
Wise words from WOF as always!
_____________________________
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do. Helen Keller
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/5/2008 4:35:39 PM
|
|
|
clag4christ
Posts: 2912
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: We just moved to the big state of Texas!
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Mrs.X
quote:
ORIGINAL: lexie
I just want to use the example of CF. I volunteer at a local CF organization. Our biggest fundraiser is a woman who is in her 30's with very little complications of the disease. There are so many gains being made these days in terms of managing the disease. I've heard so many stories of kids living in to adulthood.
Wow, I didn't people with CF could live that long. I think Robert's brother was 19 when he died in 1992.
My first cousin (my uncle's first child a son) was born with CF and he's still alive. He's 40+ and married.
_____________________________
<-----Jael as Tinkerbell - Halloween 2008
If you don't want people to insult your intelligence; don't make it so obvious that you have none.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/5/2008 5:31:24 PM
|
|
|
clag4christ
Posts: 2912
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: We just moved to the big state of Texas!
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: phosadaud
Then we'll disagree I guess. What I said is straight out of Scripture.
God wants us to give, but he tells us that He wants a cheerful giver. Two people give the same amount but one will please God because their heart is right about it and the other will displease God because they are doing it for the wrong reasons. God wants them to do it - but that doesn't mean just because they did it, God is ready to give them a high five. God doesn't just look at the action - He looks at the heart.
I honestly can't think of a single thing that can only be done for the right reasons.
Then it is possible to be a totally cheerful giver...just as it is for someone to be QF for 'right motives'...though I don't know why someone would be QF and do it for a sinful motive...Of course God looks at the heart. He himself says that men judge the outward but He judges from within...but if someone is truly convicted about an action or a way of life then his/her heart would very likely be 'in it' for the right reasons, since he/she would understand that said conviction is coming from God and not his/her own selfish desires...
_____________________________
<-----Jael as Tinkerbell - Halloween 2008
If you don't want people to insult your intelligence; don't make it so obvious that you have none.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/5/2008 5:53:58 PM
|
|
|
phosadaud
Posts: 10522
Joined: 9/19/2005
From: Washington State
Status: offline
|
Here's an example:
Someone becomes QF not because they feel called to QF, but to look "holy" to their QF friends.
I don't know why someone would going on a missions trip for the wrong reasons, but people do all the time.
_____________________________
~Kristin~
Resume Quotations: "Reason for leaving last job: The owner gave new meaning to the word 'paranoia.' I prefer to elaborate privately."
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/5/2008 11:41:55 PM
|
|
|
TammyIsBlessed
Posts: 1635
Status: offline
|
Absolute anything CAN be done for the wrong reasons. Many Christians like to put a "perfect" face on in church. Stained Glass Masquerade by Casting Crowns is a great song that talks about this.
_____________________________
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do. Helen Keller
|
|
|
|
|
RE: The odds of passing on a disease - 10/6/2008 12:43:46 PM
|
|
|
clag4christ
Posts: 2912
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: We just moved to the big state of Texas!
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: phosadaud
Here's an example:
Someone becomes QF not because they feel called to QF, but to look "holy" to their QF friends.
I don't know why someone would going on a missions trip for the wrong reasons, but people do all the time.
Well...that would just be stupid, imo. Most people I know QF or not know that children are a huge responsibility and would never go into child-rearing in a flippant or a 'beat the Jones'' attitude. What would be the purpose of that? And...how would you be able to tell their heart attitude for that matter, eh?
_____________________________
<-----Jael as Tinkerbell - Halloween 2008
If you don't want people to insult your intelligence; don't make it so obvious that you have none.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
Then he asked if we were 'trying' and I explained our position. When I told Joel that he'd asked about us 'trying or not' Joel's response was, "Why of course we're always trying to be blessed by God!" 
