Quoting Devil Duckie:" no, depends on what is considered Special needs. For anything like Downs or worse, I wouldn't take preventative ... [snip!] ... its life. I would make him or her comfortable, but I wouldn't want them to suffer a life time. I'd let them pass peacefully. "

lots of kids w/downs are pretty healthy aside from the chromosome disorder itself so the option to allow them to ''pass'' comfortably is not a realistic one....

Quoting S U Z I E:" If they had mild Down's, they wouldn't need round the clock care. That's what the "mild" means, right? lol.."

All babies require round the clock care  
Its sad that so many people dont even understand the differences in ''specail needs'' cases   A mild case of downs may require some extra occupational/speach therapy to get through developemental delays but severe case arent neccessarily life threatening but do require round the clock medical care......

It would depend on the needs.
I'm an older mom and i see how perspectives in life change over decades. I would not willingly sign up for a life-long commitment to a child's special needs. I'd consider adoptig a child with special needs that would likely be an independent adult some day. I dont want to be a 70 yr old woman providing for a significant amount of an adult-child's needs.

I would like to. Once my own kids are out of high school and no longer have major needs for me, I would have the time and attention available for a child with special needs. This is also assuming we are financially able to. If all that came to pass, and I was given the opportunity, yes, in a heartbeat!

Probably not. I lack serious mental strength to care for a SN child. I would probably abort if I was carrying a sn baby.

<blockquote><b>Quoting TheNuge:</b>" It would depend on the needs. I'm an older mom and i see how perspectives in life change over decades. ... [snip!] ... independent adult some day. I dont want to be a 70 yr old woman providing for a significant amount of an adult-child's needs."</blockquote>


I work in a group home and they're awful, especially for lower functioning individuals   there's not really any good options for special needs adults who need significant care.

<blockquote><b>Quoting 6 blessings so far....:</b>" All babies require round the clock care   Its sad that so many people dont even understand the differences ... [snip!] ... developemental delays but severe case arent neccessarily life threatening but do require round the clock medical care......"</blockquote>


I think they are aware, but they know their limitations and what they can handle. Or are willing to take on. My son is a lot of work and he his main needs surround being non-verbal and eating. He can walk, run, jump, scream, help himself with dressing etc. and I get burned out. I said yes, I would be willing to take on a SN child. However, I don't think any less than of someone who wouldn't.

<blockquote><b>Quoting 6 blessings so far....:</b>" All babies require round the clock care   Its sad that so many people dont even understand the differences ... [snip!] ... developemental delays but severe case arent neccessarily life threatening but do require round the clock medical care......"</blockquote>




Um, I understand the differences.... My daughter has mild DS and never required round the clock care any more than a normal baby...

Probably not. I already have a special needs child.

<blockquote><b>Quoting S U Z I E:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting 6 blessings so far....:</b>" All babies require round the clock ... [snip!] ... I understand the differences.... My daughter has mild DS and never required round the clock care any more than a normal baby..."</blockquote>



Um, that's exactly what she was saying.

Quoting 8 til Gwen:" <blockquote><b>Quoting TheNuge:</b>" It would depend on the needs. I'm an older mom ... [snip!] ... for lower functioning individuals   there's not really any good options for special needs adults who need significant care."

I've been around SN adults.
Also, i have a relative in her 70s that isnt sharp anymore. her husband died a few years ago. Their son is in his 50s and in a nice "home" but he has the mental capacity of a 2 yr old. They have always been able to provide very well for him. The "home" is very nice. Most people cant afford to pay what they have always paid for him. I wonder what will happen to him when his mom dies. I assume they set-up funding, but who knows.
I'm sure parents of SN adults die all the time without good options for their children.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ♫ boobook ♫:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting 6 blessings so far....:</b>" All babies require round the clock ... [snip!] ... burned out. I said yes, I would be willing to take on a SN child. However, I don't think any less than of someone who wouldn't."</blockquote>


  this.

My son has multiple heart conditions and a syndrome and 20% brain damage from a surgery he had at 3 weeks. At first it was hard. Appointments every week/ month and surgeries and tests and exams and medications etc. but really that was just the first year. Since then he runs, jumps, screams and acts like a normal 2 year old (he's 3 but at a 2 year level). He does need to see specialists but that's once a year now and PT, OT every 6 months and ST every week for 6 weeks. It's so easy now.

I would love to care for a SN child who needs a loving stable home.

Before my mother took my sister home.. She spent the first 2 years of her life in the hospital. She needed a home to go to because the hospital needed her bed for another patient even though she needed oxygen, feed tube and medications. It's really sad.

But I too wouldn't think any less of someone who wouldn't. It's not for everyone.

Quoting S U Z I E:" <blockquote><b>Quoting 6 blessings so far....:</b>" All babies require round the clock ... [snip!] ... I understand the differences.... My daughter has mild DS and never required round the clock care any more than a normal baby..."

that was exactly my point....all babies need round the clock care but severe cases of downs and other ''specail needs'' require round the clock ''medical'' care. I have a son w/Aspergers/adhd and a daughter w/Non-verbal learning disorder(pdd-nos),mood disorder&adhd. Both require several in home and out patient therapies a week , monthly psyce appts, a cocktail of meds, and constant supervision.

Yes I would..every child needs love.One isn't better then the other.

I would not. I have two biological children and a stepchild (who has special needs). My husband is rarely home and our time/ energy is stretched thin as it is.
It would be unfair to all of the children (current and potential adoptee) to bring another child with special needs into the family.
Under other circumstances would I be opposed to it though? No.