Ok, so I came across the coolest website today and just had to share-
In America, there is actually a really long waiting list to adopt a child with Down Syndrome. For a couple of reasons- mostly because there are a lot of families out there who know a child with DS, OR have one of their own, and have been so touched by that child, that they are waiting on lists to be a part of the life of another baby with DS. (On my Down Syndrome forum, many of the family's have more than one child with DS and I thought it was just because they "had the gene" but just kept having more kids anyway... and while that is the case for a very few, the rest of them loved their little baby so much, they've adopted more!) But the other reason that there are such long waiting lists is because there are women all across America who, when they find out that they are pregnant with a baby who has DS.... they make an unthinkable decision. (Which is WHY I have a DS awareness ribbon, to raise awareness that my little girl is a GIFT and I feel HONORED to be her mommy.)
Which brings me to my point. There is a website called Reeces Rainbow and they are a "connecting point" for American families to adopt children with Down Syndrome internationally! There are kids with DS all over the world (the rate of 1 in 800 isn't just in the US) who have been given up and need families!
Anyway, if you have time and this interests you, you should just scroll through the pages of little faces all over the world. They will melt your heart. Especially if you've ever had Abby blow you a kiss or heard her "tell a story" or squeal when she gets REALLY excited. :) These little ones need someone to love them back too...
http://www.reecesrainbow.com/
Some more info on this whole adoption issue:
http://adoptionblogs.typepad.com/adoption/down_syndrome_adoption/index.html
http://www.dsagc.com/adoption.asp
