Response to your comments

My recent article on The Huffington Post most certainly got everyone's attention which opened quite a discussion from the many comments posted. Although I knew I was writing about a highly controversial topic, I did not expect to be inundated with messages, all with different points of view. However I see this as a positive response, since any lively dialogue that instigates such a wide range of perspectives is good. I believe any topic that evokes people to open up and speak is beneficial. There were several points that I was unable to mention in my article for restrictions of article length so I would like to take the opportunity this morning of adding a little further information. Gaucher, being a rare disease, it is understandable that not many people know about this particular disorder. I would like to clear up one matter that concerned several people who left comments. Although Gaucher disease is hereditary, it needs both husband and wife to carry the defective gene to pass on to their children, for the child to actually suffer from the same disease. For some years there has been genetic counselling,  and responsibly my husband was tested and proved to be clear of this particular gene, therefore we knew our daughter would never suffer from Gaucher disease herself. It takes two to tango, and it takes two to create a child with Gaucher disease. So for those of you who thought I had irresponsibly and selfishly had a child despite my ill health, I state again; this does not affect our daughter's health, and she is thankfully healthy and will never suffer from Gaucher disease. I hope this clears up any misunderstanding. I appreciate all your comments and thank you for taking time to read my article. Communication and education are paramount in moving forward, giving us all food for thought.