How ironic that your interview with Gloria Steinem was followed by one about the choices women face when their babies are diagnosed with Down’s syndrome. While child-rearing, and the decisions that go with it, are defined as being in the female domain, we’ll never achieve the equality Steinem has fought for.
Alice Breed
London SE25
My daughter, nearly two, has Down’s syndrome. We knew prenatally, and the risk was one in 105. We both work, we both pay taxes. I go out. I have a good life. Your brain does not fall out. You don’t become an EastEnders script. You live a life. You wash, cook and, sometimes, read newspapers.
flickor On theguardian.com
My sister has Down’s syndrome. For my parents, this has meant a life of fighting people’s expectations of her; for the family, it’s a lifetime of care. She now has early-onset dementia. The baby years are the easiest: as you get older, it gets harder.
CashPoint On theguardian.com
Abby Higgs is not correct when she says birth parents can make contact with adoptees only by adding their name to the registry, in the hope that their child will one day do the same. Under Section 98 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, birth relatives, and adopted people themselves, have the right to ask an adoption agency to provide an intermediary service to let them know of their wish for contact.
Chris Phillips
Hebden Bridge
In what sense is Jeremy Corbyn a celebrity? Would you have done a makeover of Stafford Cripps?
Vernon Garnham
Berkhamsted
Given that his Twickenham home lies about 5m above sea level, will Christopher Squire be joining the “orderly retreat” that he recommends for the inhabitants of South Uist?
Nic Howes
Hereford
Another excellent Ottolenghi recipe, both easy and delicious. I made stuffed peppers for four, and two of us scoffed the lot.
Rosie Lloyd
Brodsworth, South Yorkshire
Does Constance also get £5 when quoted by Tim Dowling?
Clare Stevens
Presteigne, Powys
Tom Dyckhoff says in Let’s Move To Ramsgate that Margate is “full of craft-Vimto-supping artisans” with “cupcake-lardy-cake mash-up startups”. Would that be because of readers who heeded his Let’s Move To Margate in 2011?
Christina Clark-McQuaid
Broadstairs, Kent
If Sophie Heawood’s 17 October piece says what I think it says, then I want to thank her for the twinkle in the eyes that brought us such well-written, light and deeply thoughtful articles for too short a time.
Uwe Ackermann
Oxford
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