Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Down Syndrome Adoption

Who would want to adopt a baby with Down syndrome?
 
Well, we would.  Growing up with a sister with Down syndrome was a very positive experience for me.  So positive, in fact, that my husband and I decided to start our family by adopting a baby with Down syndrome. 
 
But, are we the exception? 
Elizabeth & Josie - April 2010
 
 
Adoptive families contact the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network when they have a strong desire to adopt a child with Down syndrome. Many of these families have experienced living with and loving a child or an adult with Down syndrome. They may themselves be birth parents or adoptive parents of a child with Down syndrome, they may have worked professionally with a client or student with Down syndrome, or they may have spent time with an individual with Down syndrome in their church or community.
 
 The National Down Syndrome Adoption Network has a list of more than 200 families waiting to adopt a child with Down syndrome. 
 
So apparently it's not just us! 
 

10 comments:

  1. This made me smile!! I think you guys are the ultimate 'proof' that living with (someone with) Down syndrome isn't 'suffering', like some people seem to think!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm pretty sure this is what I'm writing my thesis on for grad school! I want to look at the positives of having a sib with special needs. I'll adopt a kid with special needs eventually! Btw, if you want to adopt again, there's a BEAUTIFUL little guy on Reece's Rainbow who I am madly in love with http://reecesrainbow.org/18899/raphael-15h I would bring him home in a heartbeat!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Or us and the other families that adopted internationally! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is an AMAZING number!!! What a blessing:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. You're not alone Elizabeth! My husband and I adopted our first a little over six months ago, and have fallen so head over heels in love with her that we are going back to her orphanage for two more to complete our family! I am blessed to love my Charlie...and I can't wait to love Josie and Annie too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This warms my heart, Elizabeth. And I know I've told you this before, but your blog kept me sane immediately after Reese's diagnosis. I thought, you know, she has ultimate first-hand knowledge of living & loving someone with Ds & has chosen to do it all over again. This is a very powerful message for us Ds amateurs. Now I know exactly how you feel!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Add us to the growing list. That 200 doesn't count us international families. We are adopting a two year girl from Hong Kong and are so stinking in love with her already. Love your blog!

    ReplyDelete