Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Adoption

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on adoption.

Giving up v.severely disabled baby for adoption?

374 replies

mirage999 · 08/01/2009 16:31

Contraversial question I know - but is it possible or easy (practically, not emotionally) to give up a severly disabled baby (one that requires full time special care) at birth for adoption or have it placed in care?

I am trying to decide whether to go for the prenatal tests for Downs etc and have decided that if the results show there is a problem with the baby, I would rather let nature take its course and allow the baby to live (but be looked after by someone else) rather than go ahead and have its life terminated, thinking that this would be the lesser of 2 evils.
Has anyone done this and is it possible to have a such a baby adopted/placed into care?
I have 2 healthy children already and the reason for not wanting to keep a baby who was severely disabled as it I dont believe it would be fair on them. Plus my DH would not be supportive and I have no family who could help.
thanks in advance

OP posts:
UmSami · 12/01/2009 19:37

Well I had to come back to this thread...its like a train wreck, you can't look away...it still makes me and ...i've reaad more this time and I still can't understand where some are coming from.
For the record...Yes i agree adoption is better than abortion, but in my mind NEITHER is an option...
To those so caught up in whats best for them...being a parent is about whats best for your baby...and in my mind your babies your baby from the point of conception...regardless of sex, hair colour, IQ, or health...the term is unconditional love! (that said I am not anti-abortion in exceptional circumstances...I just don't see a SN diagnosis as fitting that criteria)
JUTE: whats this film you've done? It sounds like something I'd like to see

jute · 12/01/2009 20:01

oh no I'm embarrassed to show you now UmSami. I linked to it earlier. It's only a YouTube thing. Film sounds a bit grand!

Here anyway

alfiemama · 12/01/2009 21:02

OMG Jute, hope you dont mind, I took a little peek, that is amazing. What a fantastic portrayal. Im not just saying this, I thought it was brilliant and the op should watch that deffinately.

jute · 12/01/2009 21:10

Of course I don't mind Alfiemama. I work with the severe end of the spectrum now, and these kids are so fantastic. Obviously I can only use my son's photos, but the video is true of any of them really. They're a great bunch.

electra · 13/01/2009 15:14

jute - I've only just seen this. What a lovely video xx

UmSami · 13/01/2009 20:46

Jute - What a lovely film, and what a beautiful boy you have...you make your point very well...

Tracy888 · 30/01/2009 23:21

In answer to the original question...
practically yes it is rather 'easy'.
You would have to inform the local social services department, who would arrange for your child to be placed in foster care in the interim period. As the parent with PR you would have to sign some forms giving your consent for your child to be placed in foster care. As your decision is a momentous one, it would not be taken lightly. You would be visited and spoken to by your child's allocated social worker over a period of months, to ensure that you are clear and sure about your decision. An adoptive placement would then be identified for your child, your views on what type adoptive placement you would want would be taken(eg two parent, religion, etc). An an adoptive home would be identified and then arrangements would be made for the child to move. Nowadays adoptions no longer involve no cotact. There is usually a minimum of letter box contact, or direct contact with the child and his/her adoptive parent(s)(but you wouldn't have to have any contact if you did not wish to). Hope that answers your question!

mogwai · 31/01/2009 20:43

Jute, your son is just gorgeous.

averynaughtyboy · 24/06/2010 15:42

This is an interesting post. I know I'm digging it up from the dead here, but it seems kinda relevant.

I suppose the problem a lot of people have with the OP is that she wanted to know how easy it is to give up a disabled baby before he/she is even born.

Whilst that might seem cruel, it's a valid point in many ways.

I have a disabled son, nearly a year old. I'm confused about so much. In many ways he's amazing, but I'll be honest with you, he's ruined my life. My wife is unstable at best, I look strong on the outside but inside I feel like I'm finished. Every day I wonder what it would be like if he was dead, and what it will be like when he does die, and whether my life is better for having known him, or whether it's been ruined by it.

I still love my wife, but it seems to be more of a respect thing than anything now. That whole side of our lives seems to have gone. She struggles to cope with him, maybe it's partially because she's with him all day. When she goes back to work it could be different. Doubtful though. Don't get me wrong, it's not the fact she doesn't have time for me any more. I fully understand what she's going through. But I think she thinks it's easier for me, and in many ways it is, but at the same time I'm being doubly screwed as I have both their problems to deal with. I know that's selfish, and I know this is Mumsnet so I'll probably be chastised it for it, but hey ho.

The worst thing is, when she loses it with him, I'm hugely protective of him... when it happens I hate her for it.

I'm torn between loving them both, and hating them both. Sometimes I wish both of them were gone, sometimes I wish I was dead. Shame as my life used to be amazing, guess this is karma somehow.

averynaughtyboy · 24/06/2010 15:46

Also, it's probably worth noting, that yes, as you can probably read, this is one of my low points.

We've been dealing with this for the past 4 months or so with no support from the NHS, no counselling, nothing... just a bad diagnosis, a bad prognosis, and some very dark times.

I guess the original point of my post was that, for everyone who says "yes i agree adoption is better than abortion, but in my mind NEITHER is an option", then you're either

A) a very strong person who has experience of this type of situation

or

B) someone who has absolutely no idea what they're talking about

sarah293 · 24/06/2010 15:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

averynaughtyboy · 24/06/2010 15:59

Excuse my ignorance but what's SN?

sarah293 · 24/06/2010 16:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

mommmmyof2 · 24/06/2010 16:06

I think it is a very heavy question, but i guess sometimes some people don't no where to ask! on here at least you have had honest answers. I have 2 children and was scared about things like that as my husband has a lot of family members who have disabilities.But i do not think i could give my baby away no matter what! but that's me, i do have alot of support and my husband would be there for me and all 3 children.
But however people do have different situations and if you really thought then you could not cope, then yes in the end it would be the best for the baby. Better to be looked after by someone who can look after the child.
And for all the parents on here who do have children with disabilities then i appreciate how this post could be offensive, but maybe you should reasure others and give advice. Just saying as i can only imagine how hard it would be,

mommmmyof2 · 24/06/2010 16:13

oh no can't beleive you can say that averynaughtyboy, if you secretly think that then why are you there! a part of your negativity may not be helping to your wife!
wow your poor son, he never asked to be born into this, maybe you should put yourself in other people's shoes before you comment.

sarah293 · 24/06/2010 16:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BurningBuntingFlipFlop · 24/06/2010 16:19

It sounds like you are depressed, have you spoked to anyone about your feelings? gp etc?

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 24/06/2010 16:21

trip trap

sarah293 · 24/06/2010 16:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

mommmmyof2 · 24/06/2010 16:34

i think you would need to be deppressed to say those things about your own family, sad really, maybe both you averynaughtyboy and your wife should seek some advise, well if you can

averynaughtyboy · 24/06/2010 16:44

No Riven, we don't normally get any respite. We don't have parents/relatives here. Luckily we will see grandparents this weekend which should allow us some time to ourselves.

And yes, I absolutely agree, it's him who has been dealt the shitty hand. That probably makes the whole thing worse, adding a feeling of selfishness for feeling like my life is over when his hasn't even started and probably never will, at least not as I hoped it would. But I do love him, a lot of other people do too, he's a great little guy and in fact he hasn't really ruined my life at all. I guess the problem is that we had a "perfect" life before, and whilst in many ways it still is, it's just different. Selfish again I know, but having a baby was meant to complete our lives, not add the depression/negativity/fear of the future etc that it has done.

Thanks for your answers anyway. Yes they have helped, and not it's not a trap.

Yes, BurningBuntingFlipFlop, I probably am depressed. I don't have any other experience of a similar situation but I imagine it's quite common for people to be depressed when they're told their child is likely to have severe learning difficulties, may never walk or talk, and will most likely be dead by the age of 20. You'd expect the NHS might offer some kind of counselling/therapy but so far it appears they don't. I'm sure they will eventually, but it's a good job we are strong-minded - I can understand why people less well supported than us might have already taken more extreme measures.

mommmmmyof2... i'm glad your life is all roses. Did you read my post? I'm not negative towards her, or around her. That's probably half my problem. I spend most of my time battling her negativity with a sunny, positive, "it'll all be alright" attitude. But it won't be alright will it? Who's shoes exactly should I put myself in before I comment? The whole reason I found this thread was that she said we should look into having him adopted earlier today, and that sent me over the edge. It's the first time I've cried for a few months, and it's the first time I've really struggled with our situation for a while. Posting on here probably wasn't a great idea in this state of mind.

mommmmyof2 · 24/06/2010 16:58

my life is far from roses, i do not have experience in bringing up a disabled or ill child an in that respect i do feel for you,
although i stick by what i said, yes you proberly are at a very low point, but its not what your saying its how you are saying it. Saying a child has ruined your life is very harsh, to me that is a hard thing to say.
But don't get me wrong i am no angel and there are days where i am glad to get away from them. I was speaking about putting yourself in you wifes shoes.
you say you think she thinks you have it easy..has she told you that?i am not in any way trying to make you feel worse because i have nothing to gain by doing that. But i do think you need to talk to someone, have time with your wife.Having a young child is hard at the best of times, tiring and you feel it will never end, and i don't agree you should take the strain of everything that is not going to help
but beleive me or not i do hope you and your family get through this.I think you can do it but you and your wife need support.

sarah293 · 24/06/2010 17:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

thisisyesterday · 24/06/2010 17:15

your son hasn't ruined your life, what has been ruined is the life you thought you would have

i think that we all have an idea in our heads of how our lives are going to be once we have children. I don't suppose many people feature severely disabled babies in there either... you never think it will happen to you

and then something happens and that baby is born and it isn't the baby you thought it would be. and that idea you had of how life was going to pan out is just shattered

your life isn't ruined though... your life is the same as it was before. you have a lovely wife, and now you have a lovely son and you'll work out how it all fits i'm sure....

ledkr · 24/06/2010 18:01

You are very honest avnb.That may not be a bad thing as at least you are not bottling it up.I really do feel for you all and i have no experience of caring for a disabled child apart from my fab sis in law who had a downs daughter at 29. She struggled to decide what to do but then decided to carent her baby and she is sucha good role model. She has two older dc and has continued to work part time.She finds it hard work but i think what has really helped is that she has made a real effort to still have the "nice life" you are talking about. This is different for everyone but for her it has meant still having a night out or a party and keeping in touch with her friends days out for the kids and with family and even holidays.This does seem to carry her through life but she still finds it hard and often has a few tears after a few wines.She is such an inspiration to me and her partner too.I am going to see her tomorrow and will show her your message and she may be able to offer you some support from time to time.Also keep pushing for the support and respite and try and do a few things from "the nice life" every day if possible. Good luck and i am thinking of you all.