I don't have any children with special needs, but hope it is ok that I crash your forum anyway. (if not please ignore me) I just wanted to share a nice story.
I was at a family party this weekend, celebrating my cousin's confirmation. In a speech, her mother shared the story of when she told my cousin that her (my cousin?s) newborn nephew had turned out to have Down syndrome. My cousin was only 13 at the time (her brother, the baby's father is quite a bit older) and my aunt was not quite sure how she would take the news. But my cousin simply answered:
"Really, is it true? :) I've always wished to have someone like that in our family!"
My aunt was so moved telling the story that she was crying, and her husband was crying, and the little boy's parents were crying (oh, and me 
)
The little boy was (along with my cousin) the focus of attention at the party, such a cheerful chap. If everyone he meets in his life could just have a fraction of the same attitude as his young aunt, then I believe he will have such a happy life. Actually, I am already quite sure he will have a happy life, with a family like that to grow up in.