Perhaps you've been following the tragic story of Amelia Rivera, whose doctors have denied her a kidney transplant because the three year old is "mentally retarded" and whose story has, predictably lead to the unleashing of the barking classes–the apologists for neo-eugenics who are legion in this country. Since learning about Amelia's story last week I've been unable to sleep and have felt the powerlessness that comes with abjection, deep sadness, outrage, and yes, more than a modicum of personal feeling. I was born prematurely and back in the 1950's it was very rare for a child who weighed 2 lbs to live. Indeed my twin brother lasted only a few hours. I've always imagined what might have occured–that the abstract and clinical determinism of cold medicine could well have said that my little life wasn't worth saving. They could have used that incubator for real chickens. Hearing Amelia's story is deeply troubling because it's not just the story of a singular little girl, it's the story of all people with disabilities. Susan Senator's column at Huffington Post serves as an elegant reminder of the human and social issues that are so singularly at stake.
Planet of the Blind 