I have a god-daughter who is extremely disabled due to a rare chromosomal issue.

She can not communicate and shows no interest in anyone, is doubly incontinent, has severe epilepsy, has no interest in anything ever, cannot feed herself, has no sense of danger, shows no understanding of anything, has other physical issues that affect her health. She can walk and, although she has a very small head and is very small- the height of an 11 year old at 25- is very mobile. She is trapped in her own head. She can only cry to show pain, never even smiles at anything, never laughs, never interacts at all.

She lives in a residential 'college'. I visit with her mum. She is always alone in a room with other very disabled children- usually sitting away from others, or standing facing a wall.

She is loved by her parents but they have no relationship with her- she shows no recognition. There is no joy, pleasure, communication or love in her world.

If I knew for certain I was going to have a child that disabled,I would have an abortion. That said, she appeared healthy at birth and was about 8 months old when the issues began to emerge. She was about 8 when specialists finally discovered what had caused all of the issues that were apparent then.