Errol suffers from Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, which means, amongst other things, that his IQ is somewhere in the 50s and that he is what most people would call “mentally retarded”.
The constellation of physical disabilities that accompanies RTS is ferocious, but is suffer the right word to describe his mental capacities?
But if Errol could be typical, would I want that for him?
They say that some parents of blind children resist operations that could give their children sight. I’ve always thought that their resistance was selfish and that the parent should do what is best for the child.
If it were suddenly possible, would I have Errol undergo an operation that would increase his IQ by 30 points or so and make him typical?
I love Errol, exactly as he is (Mohawk and all), but what would be best for Errol?
Errol will probably not be tremendously analytical, quick, or abstract in his thinking, but Errol is sweet, lives in the moment, and most importantly is tremendously happy. Errol is exactly what I hope to one day become.
I don’t know how Errol would answer the question, himself, but as for me I would never choose to subtract one ounce of joy from our blissful Errol boy.
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