Wasn’t six digit hands a sign of royalty for the Inca’s? Woman has a royal baby and she’s worried what small minded people will think. Shame on a mother who is ashamed of her child.
She’s not ashamed; she is like any person, worried about her baby. Even though it is a small operation, who wants their child to have to undergo surgery? Even if it’s for absolute life saving surgery, no parents wants their child to suffer the pain and risk.I think this storyline is a good one, although it’s a pity that Lynn didn’t run with it for longer and harder, or the baby had an actual disability. But this was probably as far as she could get in those days.
Perhaps a walk through NICU or a children’s hospital might put things into perspective. See babies fighting for their lives and maybe she’ll realize that a couple of extra fingers are not an insurmountable difficulty.
I think the older kids will take their cues from their parents’ behavior toward the baby. And besides, they will probably think it’s cool. Mom needs to explain why the extra finger should be removed in a way that doesn’t let the other kids think their sibling is defective or a freak, but rather “blessed” with something extra.
It happened to me 27 years ago – my daughter actually. She had 12 fingers and everything else was mixed up and she only lived 2.5 days.
March of Dimes woman came by and said it was all our fault and should have taken better care of ourselves (my wife actually – they really laid it on her.) In fact, we did everything right and it came out wrong. Needless to say, March of Dimes is off our charity list. Made her feel like failed as a woman.
When Annie had her baby, I wanted to acknowledge those who are born with a difference. I knew this might be a controversial topic and I didn’t want to focus on something which was not an integral part of the strip, so I chose a condition known as “polydactyly,” meaning “many fingers.” It’s not uncommon and can be corrected, often very easily, with surgery.
Personally, I’d say Leave the baby Alone and let Her decide if she wants the extra fingers removed when she’s an Adult..Bet she’d decide to Keep them..
When I was born, I was jaundiced. So Mom had to come home before I could. They were devastated until they were in an elevator coming up to the NICU (or whatever it was called 36 years ago) and one of the other daddies in there showed them their baby picture. The kind that is often clickbait, one like= 10 prayers, one share= 100, as if God counts FB activity, and is often babies unrelated to the poster used without permission. I needed a few days under the lights. Mom was coming in to feed me.
I have what we now know is a genetic disorder- Grandpa had a diagnosis of MS, Mom was just starting to have more problems and I was 22 when we found out it was genetic. I was one of 2 people with observable disabilities in a “Disabilities Lit” college course, and the other was shy- she spoke to me about things from the class but rarely spoke up in it. We mentioned how the mom gets blamed (I also have 2 genetically influenced conditions from Dad’s side that are not, like my canes or wheelchair, visible). I brought up that one reason is… it’s the mom who has the option to abort when it’s something they test for. The room was silent for about 30 seconds- Catholic college, and that was said by someone with a cane(then using one) in a room with a girl in a wheelchair, and I pointed out that people do wonder why the child they knew had Downs Syndrome or something wrong in development that they can see in ultrasound (say a missing arm) was even born)
My father is in the position of having to worry about a daughter who has something that in her mom and grandpa required the care of a spouse and children, and who is considered “high functioning” but whose Autistic symptoms have kept from having any relationships that would even qualify as “friendships” in real life (I have people I chat with online all day, who, if they were close enough, would drop anything and be here when something happened, but other than being invited for a beer after a church event with a group haven’t had a non-scheduled interaction with people in real life- I only see them at the church group meetings and book club. So yes, he worries. I now know I can tell the people there that I seem “uninterested” or “distant” or whatever not because I am, that I really am trying to chat with them, but that my brain can’t process social conversation quickly and if I’m forcing myself to do some of the “normal” things, like eye contact, that eats into my ability to respond. Several are teachers and have autistic students. The first person I told outside my family was the one who saw that I was overwhelmed, got me out of a noisy place, and had the knowledge that standing behind me with one hand on my shoulder, so she was out of sight but I knew she was there and cared- she knew. The second was the minister who had seen us leaving and knew something had happened.
“Autism Speaks” has parents talking about how terrible Autism is for them, in front of the child, who understands more than people think. No Autistics in their leadership. They are to me wat March of Dimes has been to people who lost the genetic lottery and did nothing wrong. If you’re wondering what cause for Autism I do support, “The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism” (I think that’s the title) has lists, and explains our point well.
If all the fingers work, what is wrong with keeping them? some people have 3 nipples, different looking private parts, etc. This just makes life more interesting – keep a good attitude about it and enjoy.
Now a disfigurement, like a harelip or cleft palate that is bad, should be “fixed”, but I have a cleft chin(caused by the same thing), it is not considered “wrong”.
Templo S.U.D. over 9 years ago
Better late than ne’er.
TURTLE over 9 years ago
Wasn’t six digit hands a sign of royalty for the Inca’s? Woman has a royal baby and she’s worried what small minded people will think. Shame on a mother who is ashamed of her child.
catchup over 9 years ago
She’s not ashamed; she is like any person, worried about her baby. Even though it is a small operation, who wants their child to have to undergo surgery? Even if it’s for absolute life saving surgery, no parents wants their child to suffer the pain and risk.I think this storyline is a good one, although it’s a pity that Lynn didn’t run with it for longer and harder, or the baby had an actual disability. But this was probably as far as she could get in those days.
Can't Sleep over 9 years ago
So the boys are excited instead of being horrified or filled with pity. They, and dad have the right attitude.
forbearly over 9 years ago
Perhaps a walk through NICU or a children’s hospital might put things into perspective. See babies fighting for their lives and maybe she’ll realize that a couple of extra fingers are not an insurmountable difficulty.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 9 years ago
Most people would never even notice. But when her mother-in-law shows up, then it will hit the fan!!
dlkrueger33 over 9 years ago
I think the older kids will take their cues from their parents’ behavior toward the baby. And besides, they will probably think it’s cool. Mom needs to explain why the extra finger should be removed in a way that doesn’t let the other kids think their sibling is defective or a freak, but rather “blessed” with something extra.
pierra Premium Member over 9 years ago
It happened to me 27 years ago – my daughter actually. She had 12 fingers and everything else was mixed up and she only lived 2.5 days.
March of Dimes woman came by and said it was all our fault and should have taken better care of ourselves (my wife actually – they really laid it on her.) In fact, we did everything right and it came out wrong. Needless to say, March of Dimes is off our charity list. Made her feel like failed as a woman.
JanLC over 9 years ago
Lynn’s Notes:
When Annie had her baby, I wanted to acknowledge those who are born with a difference. I knew this might be a controversial topic and I didn’t want to focus on something which was not an integral part of the strip, so I chose a condition known as “polydactyly,” meaning “many fingers.” It’s not uncommon and can be corrected, often very easily, with surgery.
summerdog86 over 9 years ago
Annie is going a bit overboard, in my opinion. Save the dramatics for something larger than having extra fingers.
Tarredandfeathered over 9 years ago
Personally, I’d say Leave the baby Alone and let Her decide if she wants the extra fingers removed when she’s an Adult..Bet she’d decide to Keep them..
hippogriff over 9 years ago
Simple: If they are fully functional, keep; if useless, remove.
kattbailey over 9 years ago
Richard, I am so sorry for your loss.
When I was born, I was jaundiced. So Mom had to come home before I could. They were devastated until they were in an elevator coming up to the NICU (or whatever it was called 36 years ago) and one of the other daddies in there showed them their baby picture. The kind that is often clickbait, one like= 10 prayers, one share= 100, as if God counts FB activity, and is often babies unrelated to the poster used without permission. I needed a few days under the lights. Mom was coming in to feed me.
I have what we now know is a genetic disorder- Grandpa had a diagnosis of MS, Mom was just starting to have more problems and I was 22 when we found out it was genetic. I was one of 2 people with observable disabilities in a “Disabilities Lit” college course, and the other was shy- she spoke to me about things from the class but rarely spoke up in it. We mentioned how the mom gets blamed (I also have 2 genetically influenced conditions from Dad’s side that are not, like my canes or wheelchair, visible). I brought up that one reason is… it’s the mom who has the option to abort when it’s something they test for. The room was silent for about 30 seconds- Catholic college, and that was said by someone with a cane(then using one) in a room with a girl in a wheelchair, and I pointed out that people do wonder why the child they knew had Downs Syndrome or something wrong in development that they can see in ultrasound (say a missing arm) was even born)
My father is in the position of having to worry about a daughter who has something that in her mom and grandpa required the care of a spouse and children, and who is considered “high functioning” but whose Autistic symptoms have kept from having any relationships that would even qualify as “friendships” in real life (I have people I chat with online all day, who, if they were close enough, would drop anything and be here when something happened, but other than being invited for a beer after a church event with a group haven’t had a non-scheduled interaction with people in real life- I only see them at the church group meetings and book club. So yes, he worries. I now know I can tell the people there that I seem “uninterested” or “distant” or whatever not because I am, that I really am trying to chat with them, but that my brain can’t process social conversation quickly and if I’m forcing myself to do some of the “normal” things, like eye contact, that eats into my ability to respond. Several are teachers and have autistic students. The first person I told outside my family was the one who saw that I was overwhelmed, got me out of a noisy place, and had the knowledge that standing behind me with one hand on my shoulder, so she was out of sight but I knew she was there and cared- she knew. The second was the minister who had seen us leaving and knew something had happened.
“Autism Speaks” has parents talking about how terrible Autism is for them, in front of the child, who understands more than people think. No Autistics in their leadership. They are to me wat March of Dimes has been to people who lost the genetic lottery and did nothing wrong. If you’re wondering what cause for Autism I do support, “The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism” (I think that’s the title) has lists, and explains our point well.
poodles27 over 9 years ago
Annie’s children will think the baby is beautiful. Why tell them?
LV1951 over 9 years ago
The boys will think it’s cool!
ComicsR4Fun Premium Member over 9 years ago
Moms are moms—bless them.
route66paul over 9 years ago
If all the fingers work, what is wrong with keeping them? some people have 3 nipples, different looking private parts, etc. This just makes life more interesting – keep a good attitude about it and enjoy.
Now a disfigurement, like a harelip or cleft palate that is bad, should be “fixed”, but I have a cleft chin(caused by the same thing), it is not considered “wrong”.