A response to: The Hard Case of Down Syndrome
My husband and I have been on a national registry to adopt a baby or child with Down Syndrome for three and a half years. Hopefully our wait will soon be over! We think it is important to put our hearts on the line for these children and these birth mothers. We have had two birth mothers choose us and then keep their babies in the end. This is a great result! It is hard emotional work to be there for birth mothers who are confused about whether or not they will accept their babies. We really want to adopt a baby with Down Syndrome so each time an adoption falls through it is bittersweet.
We feel so strongly that more Catholics need to be willing to adopt babies and children with disabilities whether they have their own children or not. If we claim to be pro-life then we need to live it to the best of our ability. Of course not everyone is cut out for raising a child with a disability, but we believe that if you found out that your biological child had a disability and you would still choose to raise him, then you are a good candidate to do a home study and let the adoption agency make the final decision.
God loves all the little children, and Catholics need to do their best to love and accept all God’s children also! (even when they are adults!)
Linda Melsa
