Wife Divorces Husband For Refusing To Give Up On Their Down’s Syndrome Baby
A mother has left her husband and newborn baby, because their infant son was born with Down’s Syndrome.
Samuel Forrest’s wife filed for divorce just a week after the couple welcomed their little boy into the world, because she feared baby Leo’s disability would bring “shame” on her family. However, Samuel has vowed to be a good father to his son, and his story has inspired strangers to donate more than £114,000 to support the young family.
Samuel told how after his wife gave birth in Armenia, where the couple live, they were given the unexpected news that their son had Down syndrome.
Samuel, originally from Auckland, New Zealand, told ABC News: “This pediatrician walks out of the room with a little bundle – that was Leo. She had his face covered up and hospital authorities wouldn’t let me see him or my wife. When the doctor came out, he said ‘there’s a real problem with your son’.”
He was told that his newborn was disabled, but he was still overcome with joy as becoming a father for the first time.
His wife however refused to touch her son, because in Armenian culture a child with such a disability brings ‘shame’ upon the family.
Samuel, a freelance business contractor, added: “They took me in see him and I looked at this guy and I said, he’s beautiful – he’s perfect and I’m absolutely keeping him.”
But when he returned to his wife’s room in the hospital, he was stunned with her reaction.
He was given an ultimatum, that if he wanted to keep the child, then she would leave him.
He said: “What happens when a baby like this is born here, they will tell you that you don’t have to keep them. My wife had already decided, so all of this was done behind my back.”
One week after she gave birth, Leo’s mother filed for divorce. But the proud father now hopes to bring Leo back to his homeland in New Zealand, where the loving support of Samuel’s family awaits.
But doing it alone will be a struggle, so he set up a GoFundMe page and the internet has shown incredible support for his emotional story.
He said: “I don’t have a lot, I have very little in fact. The goal is to raise enough for a year so I can get a part-time job so Leo doesn’t have to be in daycare and I can help care for him.”
Source: Mirror
OMG so touchy… May God’s instant healing fall on dat little angel. Dnt worry daddy samuel ur son gonna be ok and I jst wonder wht de mother will do whn she realizes her son is normal cus wt God all tin re possible.
God will see u through sir
This is touching
The Lord wil guide nd c u tru mr samuel cos as u acknowledged his creation so shall he acknowledge u in ur times of need nd heal ur little bundle of joy for u.
Awwwww this is so sad. I understand the woman’s angle having to raise a disabled child but she failed to understand that in every disability there’s ability. God strengthens the father to take care of the boy. Amen
Armenians fail to understand that for every disability there’s ability. They should start allowing disabled children have a chance at life
Very touching! ! May God surprise this mother and make this boy perfect as he grows.
She is supposed to be ther strength n rock. Sad how family members turn against others
So touchy. what a babaric custom.I’m amazed dat a woman can take such steps despite carrying d baby 4 nine months n labouring 2 bring him in2 ds world
Awwww so touching, May God heal the little boy.
Sad
God’s healing on u baby
How can u turn ur back on ur own son when he needed u most. God please perform thy Miracles upon this little one. That this woman may know that of a truth, you live.
See how adorable that baby is..who wouldn’t fall inlove with that baby? Smh..May the Lord give the father the strength and grace to take care of that child.
May God heal baby samuel
It’s usually the other way round. May the Lord help him to be strong.
This is a funny twist to the usual story. May God bless them both.
Very sad. They should have checked for all these while she was preggy at a time so they can decide. It’s sad that a country have such a law. May God heal lil Leo
She is a weak woman of fickle character that’s why she took the easy way out
Its supposed to be d other wy round.She aint a mother.
The ways of God is not the ways of man.its such a tight spot but its pathetic for d mother 2 give him up so fast!.O God, let thy will be done!.the stone that was cast away………….
God would c him through such men are rare
God will see you and your son through
Such an emotional story
God will release the strength he needs to carry through with the child and bring healing for him to, as he did for me! “to have a special child u must be special”.
Awww..you are a great dad.God will see you and your son through and his mother will be put to shame
OMG! I’m all teary right now.I wonder wat kinda tradition is dat.Its not de boy’s fault dat he’s born with dat sickness.As for de dad,u’re an awsome dad n I wish u all de best as u bring up baby Leo
This touching. God will never forsake his own.
am in love with this man
Oh what a good man. Good riddance to d bad rubbish called ur wife.may God strengthen this man
May God strengthen u, a surprise package awaits you. God is still on the throne. He’ll give you a miracle.
Wow, so shocking that a mother who carried a child for 9 months, can turn her back on him.
So sad how a mother can behave to her own child…the dad is one in a million