Life worth living

The January 22, 1973, Roe vs. Wade ruling has been a death sentence for 30 million-plus preborn infants in the United States. For 24 years babies have died for any reason and no reason. But in the 1990s, with the development of new genetic tests that can more safely and less expensively diagnose genetic disorders in utero, many young humans are at risk for one very specific reason: They have Down Syndrome. | Roy Maynard

from St. Louis

Neighbors were stuffed into the Barker family’s suburban St. Louis home like candied fruits in a thrice-given fruitcake. It was the Barkers’ traditional Christmas open house, part of their effort to preserve the neighborhood “feel,” the cohesion that has helped cushion the world for their daughter, Jennifer.

Indeed, 27-year-old Jennifer was the hot topic of the night: “Where is she?” “Will she be back soon?” She was out with friends, her parents explained, to the obvious disappointment of their neighbors.

When she finally arrived, the bright, happy young woman with a smile for everybody was greeted like a celebrity. But Jennifer—like others with Down Syndrome—hasn’t always been so welcome.