Mission 5: A Tasteless Google Ad

I want you to do something for me. Do a Google search right now for "Down syndrome." Now check the ads that you see on the results page. My guess is that one of those ads - perhaps the top spot - is taken by a clinic offering third trimester abortions. I don't want to use the name of the clinic, because I don't want to give them any free publicity, but it rhymes with "Ace" Medical Care.

I'm painting a big bull's-eye on this ad. I would like to see it disappear. I don't care if someone sees it when they search "abortion," but people don't need to see it when they search "Down syndrome.' It's another example of a culture of normalization, a culture that repeatedly sends the message that it's okay to abort these babies. Some mothers will choose this route, and that's their choice. But I don't want this message broadcast to a woman who has just learned that her baby may have an extra chromosome. A terrified woman sitting alone, late at night at the glow of her computer, desperately searching for info about a condition she never really thought about. That woman does not need to see that ad at that time. It's disgusting.

I don't really know how to get rid of this ad. We could all write the clinic and ask that it be removed, but my guess is an abortion clinic has dealt with people more determined - and more vicious - than Oz Squad. I'm guessing we won't get far with that route. We could email Google. Again, Google may have no interest in deciding what ads to accept. We could all click the shit out of that ad every day. Run up the bill - those types of ads are paid for per click. However, there's a possibility that "Ace" Medical Care could petition Google to check the ip addresses of the clicks and get a refund. I'm not sure they can do that, but it's possible.

Does anyone have any other ideas? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

A New View

My little Sydney just turned two last month and my idea of normal has changed over the last two years. I got a prenatal diagnosis, so I knew ahead of time that Sydney would have Down syndrome. I remember the first thing I wanted was to talk to another parent of a child with Ds who also had additional children. I remember thinking… I want to know how “normal” my life was going to be, not how much it was going to change.

I was pleasantly surprised when I was connected to a family who had two beautiful girls, each was the same age as one of my boys. (Sydney was still cooking). We met for lunch and I watched my boys interact with her two girls, the youngest with Ds and I was put at ease. They were both just little girls. Even though their 3 year old daughter with Ds didn’t speak words yet, she understood what was going on around her and played and interacted just fine with my boys and her sister. That was all I needed.

Has my life changed since the birth of Sydney? Everyone on this OZ Squad knows that yes, indeed it did change. Would I change it? No, not at all. I have already learned so much about life and love that I would never change. Did I have fears and doubt when I was awaiting the birth of Sydney, absolutely I did, but she was designed to be exactly as she is, and I am blessed to be her mommy. Even when she is an ornery two year old… just like all her two year old friends.

Jeanette, mother to Zachary, Anthony, and Sydney

Mission 4: Health Checks Now

This mission was brought to Oz Squad's attention by squad member Monica. Monica spotted a few poorly-worded articles about Down syndrome on a health info site called healthchecksnow. The articles aren't intentionally or overtly offensive, but they do contain statements that some may find offensive and over-generalized. Several OS members posted comments with thoughtful suggestions about how the articles could be rewritten to make them more accurate and sensitive. If anyone else would like to read the articles and respond with comments of your own, here are a few links:

What is Down Syndrome?

The Face of Down Syndrome: Physical Characteristics

This is a great example of how Oz Squad can serve as an Internet watchdog. Changing a few phrases on a site like this one may not seem like it makes much of a difference. But there's a lot of bad info online. A poorly chosen word, an old statistic, a negative tone in what should be a neutral article – these are things that matter. They can subconsciously affect people's attitudes toward people with Down syndrome. They can have subtle influences on a doctor's choice of words at a critical time. They can perpetuate myths and stereotypes. They can make life a little bit harder for every one of us.

So when you spot something like this, please take a few moments and send a comment to the author. If that doesn't help, let us know about it. We can work together to educate the public, clean up these frustrating little problems, and make the world a little bit brighter for our kids.

Thanks again, Monica!

Tech Tip

A few people have let me know that they are not receiving Oz Squad emails. I'm guessing this could be related to the fact that we have lots of people on our email list, and our emails are getting tagged as spam. The solution? Check your spam folder and look for Oz Squad emails. If you see them, mark them as "not junk mail" or "safe sender" or whatever your particular email service uses. That should take care of the problem.

Mission 3: Shame on Wikia.com - Update

sannse, of Wikia's technical support team, has emailed me to say that Uncyclopedia.com has decided to remove the offending page. Thanks to all of you who went after this one.

Mission 3: Shame on Wikia.com

Wikia.com is the parent of several wiki websites (sites that use wiki software to enable collaborative content development) including a wiki called uncyclopedia.wikia.com and this website hosts a page titled, HowTo:Get Downs Syndrome.

(Warning: wait 45 minutes after eating before going to read this page. Otherwise, you will puke.)

I realize that since this is a wiki, any one of us, and everyone of us, can go there and alter this horrific content, however, I wanted to have it removed the polite way. So I contacted wikia.com and explained that having a web page that encourages abducting, torturing, and raping (and killing... that’s the part under the blackout) individuals with Down syndrome is highly inappropriate, and um... even illegal, and certainly in violation of the wikia terms of use.

Their response? An unconvincing definition of dark humor for my edification... Here is an excerpt:
“The humor is often dark, mocking, satirical, and sometimes offensive. But, at its best, it can also be very funny as well as thought provoking and enlightening, giving a new twist to an old subject.”

I am guessing that sannse, the tech team responder to my complaint, did not actually read the page because you just can’t connect what is sitting on that page to anything “funny, thought provoking, and enlightening.”

sannse wrapped up with a suggestion to contact the Uncyclopedia folks with this caveat... “But please be aware that Uncyclopedia is not often amenable to removing articles due to offense alone and the atmosphere of mockery can often carry over into discussions.” Yeah, thanks for the warning and the brush off, sannse.

So guys, visit wikia’s special contact page and let them know that their condonation of the Uncyclopedia - HowTo:Get Downs Syndrome web page is intolerable. If you have other ideas for taking down this garbage, post them in the comments or, ahem, covertly do what you must.

Don’t Tell Me I Can’t

Don’t tell me I can’t
when I’ve already proven to so many that I can and have

Don’t tell me I shouldn’t be here
when so many people would not have learned the things that I have taught them

Don’t tell me I have no value
when I have given so much joy, laughter, and love to so many

Don’t tell me I’m different
when everyone in the world is their own unique person

Don’t tell me how to live my life
when there are so many possibilities for me to try

I can do things!
I was put here on this earth because of my value and difference
Possibly to even teach you how to live a better life

written by Suzie Smith of Lily's Life Is Great
(posted with permission)