The SpecialMoms Parenting Magazine 2nd Issue | Page 27

From

Down

Syndrome

From Down Syndrome
to Cerebral Palsy:
An Adoption Story

I

would have never chosen to be the mother
of a child with special needs. Nonetheless,
our second daughter, Nichole, surprised us
with an extra chromosome and a diagnosis
of Down syndrome. Dealing with her diagnosis
was extremely difficult. All of sudden I had
become the mother of a child I was not prepared
or ready to parent.
Yet, something significant took place during those
first few months. I began to connect with other
moms that had children with Down syndrome.
These moms offered me courage, they gave me
hope, they allowed me to dream big for my child.
Nichole’s diagnosis of Down syndrome became
a part of who she was and not what defined her.
As we navigated the new world of special needs,
we learned of the fate of children with disabilities
in other countries. It broke our hearts to know
these children were not valued in their cultures,
and they were sent to orphanages and then
mental institutions at the young age of four or
five years old. We could not imagine life without
our Nichole, and she had already contributed so
much to our family. Her life had great value, it
had meaning, and it was hers!
When we were ready to add another child to our
family, we began to consider adoption. And not

facebook

to

>>>>Ellen Stumbo
just any adoption, but the adoption of a child
with Down syndrome from Eastern Europe. As
we searched the many faces of beautiful kids
with Down syndrome, it was the face a little girl
with Cerebral Palsy that caught our eyes. Her
diagnosis, however, scared me. I realized then
how comfortable I was with Down syndrome,
and how well it “fit” with our family. Cerebral
Palsy, on the other hand, seemed daunting,
difficult, maybe too much.

Yet, my husband believed in
the potential of all children ,
regardless of ability. He
believed that all children
deserved a mom and dad
that would believe in them,
and that would stand with
them and support them.
After much prayer, we decided to be Nina’s “yes.”
We would believe in her, we would give her the
chance of a hope and a future; we would call her
our very own.
Nina has been with us for two and a half years.
Her Cerebral Palsy has been a challenge at times,
as has Nichole’s Down Syndrome. Nonetheless,

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