The debate over whether or not a woman should choose to terminate a pregnancy, in which the baby she is carrying happens to have Down syndrome, is on going. Those of us who have a child who happens to have Down syndrome, would not have it any other way. Our hearts go out to those who chose to end a pregnancy, and take the life of their child, simply because they have an extra chromosome.
But there is another side to this story. Currently, there are families, all over America, who have chosen life for their child with Down syndrome in another way. They are traveling to countries where children who happen to have Down syndrome are in orphanages. These amazing families are adopting these beautiful children, and bringing them home!!
One family, who happen to be members of the IDSC For Life, the Bedfords, (seen above) are an amazing example of what it means to have dignity and respect for all life. They have adopted two darling little boys, and are working on adopting a third. All three of the boys happen to have Down syndrome. Their story, and Reece’s Rainbow, have been picked up by Catholic News. We hope you will take some time to read it and share it with others.
While 90-94% of woman whose children are diagnosed while they are pregnant, are choosing to abort their child because they are diagnosed with Down syndrome, heroic families are choosing to bring their children home. So yes, there are those who actually choose this! Not because they feel sorry for these children, instead, because these families have come to find out what all parents who happen to have a child with Down syndrome find out. Our children are a gift from God. They have their own unique gifts to offer our families and we are grateful to have them in our lives!
Some families are randomly chosen, and we find out during pregnancy, or shortly after birth that our children have Down syndrome. Others choose their child who happens to have Down syndrome. Either way, all of our families know the unique gift, and we would not trade it for the world!
To get to know the Bedfords better, you can visit them at their blog! http://chroniclesofhousehold6.blogspot.com/
2 Comments
June 2, 2009 at 4:19 pm
[...] Great post at IDSC for Life: Choosing Down syndrome 2009 June 2 tags: adoption, Down syndrome, IDSC for Life, Reece's Rainbow by benotafraid From IDSC for Life: [...]
October 21, 2009 at 4:13 am
[...] would also like you to meet a family whom we have been blessed to share with you before! Shelley and Robert have already adopted two darling boys, and they are going back for more!! [...]