by A. Jacobina Poulsen

Created on: March 27, 2009

The answer to this question is not as obvious as it may seem. Every parent who has fretted through a pregnancy and birth, every parent who has been relieved after counting fingers and toes and finding the usual number, each and every human who can imagine the challenges that a physical deformity would add to their lives, will quickly answer that the parents must do everything they can to make this baby appear more normal.

But that is an answer born of Western society and culture. Although we champion the rights of the disabled, we are still not quite comfortable with differences. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees the civil rights of the disabled and prohibits discrimination. Does this mean that it is easy for someone with disabilities or differences to "fit in" with society? Let's be frank. Regardless of our best intentions, Western society is still hung up on appearances. A child born with two faces in the United States would immediately become the news-worthy patient of a prestigious surgeon at a respected hospital and undergo hours of surgery to make her appear "normal". Normality is highly prized.

However, this child was born into a much poorer society. Her parents have very little and her life would be hard even if she were born beautiful and perfect. In this small Indian village, there is no electricity or indoor plumbing and the average income in $2 per day. Yet this tiny baby, born in such humble circumstances, was immediately hailed as a reincarnation of the Hindu god, Ganesh. In her first few weeks of life, people traveled from all over India to bring gifts and money. They came not to stare at an freak of nature, but to worship a goddess.

If the child has a medical condition that threatens her life, that condition would suggest another answer. I would then immediately answer that yes, her parents must put her in the hands of the doctors. All the question tells us, however, is that the child has two faces. The overwhelming "Yes" vote on this question shows that having a physical deformity is enough, we aren't concerning ourselves with her health.

We don't know if surgery would be successful or if it would endanger her life, as these surgeries often do. Regardless of her parents' ability to pay, we can be sure that any surgical and hospital services would be donated. To some extent, this is charity. However, to some extent it is also research for the medical community. Must the parents donate their child to the advancement of science?

Perfectly formed and devoid of deformity, a child living in poverty, and without opportunity would still have a life full of hardship, pain and challenges. A child that is considered a miracle and a gift from the gods will be tended to and cared for, never wanting for the basic necessities of life. Perhaps, if we can set aside our prejudices, we could consider the possibility that being born a goddess may not be such a bad thing after all.

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