Mom Finding Out Twin Have Down Syndrome, Tries To Put Them For Adoption But Changes Her Mind In Third Trimester
Julie McConnel was eager to start a new life after remarrying. From a previous marriage, this woman already had three children. Julie and her new husband Dan decided to try for a daughter after having a son.
Julie was reminded once again, though, that life may be completely unpredictable in the midst of their efforts. She was definitely pregnant… with twins.
After turning 40, a woman’s chances of having a child with Down syndrome increase to one in 100, so Julie and Dan knew they’d have all the tests they needed. They found after some time that her twin sons will be born with the illness.
Julie, who was 45 at the time, thought that the extra stress of having two children with special needs was too much for her. Instead, she and Dan used the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network to find a family willing to adopt the twins…
Julie and Dan, on the other hand, found themselves putting off signing the paperwork that would make the adoption permanent after they had chosen a new family for their kids.
“We wanted to do our homework,” she explained, “so we reached out to the local Down syndrome society.”
“They were having a picnic, so we went and met several beautiful families who told us about their lives.”
It was there that the parents realized they were allowing fear to prevent them from expanding their family.
“You adore your kids no matter what,” Julie added. It was simple to make our decision after we resolved that we weren’t going to allow our anxiety get in the way.”
The parents decided to retain their sons after all, even though they were in the third trimester. Milo and Charlie arrived in the world healthy and happy, and their parents can’t fathom life without them.
“When I saw them, my heart sprang out of my chest,” Julie remarked. “I was completely smitten,” says the narrator. “It’s difficult to fathom life without them,” she said, “but I suppose I’d miss them every day if we hadn’t opted to keep them.”