Abortion & retardation.

I sympathize with Claudette Kane, the mother of the mentally deficient child who committed suicide (Correspondence, September 10). Yet I disagree with her that mental deficiency inevitably leads to a life of abject helplessness and tortuous dependence. In fact, sometimes it ends up working the other way.

My brother Kevin was born with Down syndrome. The medical staff in the late 1950s advised my parents to institutionalize him, claiming he'd be unmanageable. He appeared to be severely retarded, not even knowing how to swallow. But with consistent attention, Kevin got stronger, gained weight, and eventually attended school. He completed all twelve years and then some. Today, though disabled because of musculo-skeletal weakness, he continues to be high-functioning--reading, cleaning, modestly exercising. Most of all, he is the perfect companion for my recently widowed father. During the last year, Dad, while thankful for my sister and me, confesses time and again that, "I just don't know what I'd do without Kevin." I wonder how many other families have benefited from the love and attention of one who was once diagnosed as hopelessly dependent.

Only God knows how things will turn out for people like my brother. We must accept God's plan for us, not assume divine right and spin a script. I don't believe that aborting a severely retarded child is ever the right or loving thing to do. A wise retreat master, in one of my early years of monastic formation, defined love as "sacrificing in joy." Not a bad concept for our age--and parents of all the less desirable unborn--to ponder afresh.

STEPHEN HONEYGOSKY, OSB Latrobe, Pa.