Tarmon Gai'don

It is a peculiar feeling to witness the construction of a powerful, international establishment intended specifically to eradicate people like me from the planet. It is a feeling that I find very difficult to convey to most people, since they cannot for example visit the websites of organisations that explain what a terrible burden people like them are to families and society in general, but that there is hope that doctors will soon be able to prevent more people like them from being born.

I can do this, although I seldom do so nowadays. I may be overly sensitive, but I can only take so much of reading about scientists trying to exterminate my kind in a given month, not to mention parents describing people like me as having devastated their families and as being their greatest sorrow. Those are of course mild examples, and there are many far more 'interesting' ones.

I hear of high profile television shows that collect money for the cause of making sure that no children like me will ever be born. I hear of parents who, in the meantime, try to change us into people like them by for example administering various dangerous chemicals, subject us to torture or ceaseless obediance training or just lock us up so they won't have to see our 'bizarre' behaviours.

I recall something about there being laws against child abuse, but then I remember that they only apply to children who are like them. I remember that children like me are exempt from such laws, as almost any treatment can be justified simply by a medical professional explaining that the child is like me, and thus does not need to be shown the same consideration granted other children. Since people like me are different, they explain, we don't experience abuse the same way. I remember the long list of people like me who have been murdered with mild or no repercussions.

I watch those of us who have decided to do something about it. I read what others like me write online, learn of the few victories out in the real world, see the few vocal parents of people like me support our cause against the sensless hysteria and rampant xenophobia. I see these things we do, and I wonder if it's enough, or if it will ever be enough to defeat the extremely well-funded organisations looking for a way to identify us so that parents can be coerced into having us aborted.

I read the writings of people with Down syndrome, for this has already happened to them. There are prenatal tests to identify DS children and mothers are encouraged if not pressured both to take the test and to abort the child if the test is positive. DS people are being actively eradicated as I write this, in this so called 'modern society', and some of them have had the odd experience to force their way into conferences and tell the medical professionals to "stop killing people like us".

I wonder when people like me will have to do the same. It's not such a far fetched possibility. Many conferences about people like me are already making sure that we do not attend. These things are really happening, right now, and one day I may be the one forcing my way into such a conference and telling the medical professionals assembled before me to "stop killing people like us".

I just don't know if it will matter then, as I fear that it may be too late if it ever comes to that, but if I'm still able, I will make myself heard.

"Till shade is gone, till water is gone, into the Shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath, to spit in Sightblinder's eye on the Last Day."

Update: Linguistic tinkerings.