Update: Mum Denies Husband’s Claims That She Abandoned Their Down’s Syndrome Baby

The mother accused of divorcing her husband because he wanted to stand by their newly-born Down’s Syndrome child has sensationally proclaimed her love for the child – and accused the dad of twisting the truth (read here).

Now, the mum has issued a lengthy statement giving her side of the story, claiming the pair were in agreement that the child would have the best chance in life if he was raised in his father’s native New Zealand.

Ruzan Badalyan, who yesterday confirmed that she has filed for divorce, said: “The first thing that came to my mind after the diagnosis was that I don’t want my child to live in a country where certain stereotypes dominate the lives of people with DS and no opportunities at all. I want him to be involved and well-received in society, an integration that will require years and years for our society to adjust to. I saw the evasive looks of the doctors, my relatives’ tear-stained faces, received calls of condolences and realised that only a move to a country with such standards as New Zealand would entitle my son to a decent life.”

She also spoke of her love for her son and the anguish she felt when she was told he had Down’s Syndrome.

“21 January was the happiest day for me, as I finally gave birth to my long-awaited son,” she said.

“Our son was born at 6.30 in the morning and I remember alarmed faces around and the doctors’ worried looks. I woke hours after anaesthesia. My first question was about the whereabouts of my child. I remember the sad faces of my relatives and the doctors and the diagnosis that sounded like a verdict: ‘Your child was born with Down’s Syndrome’. One can never imagine my feelings at that moment. Hardly had I recovered from the first shock, when the doctor approached me and told me to voice my decision whether I was going to keep Leo or not. I had to make the most ruthless decision in my life within several hours.”

Ruzan has also disputed the father’s accusations that her child would bring “shame” to the family.

She added: “In the hardest moment of my life when my husband should be next to me and support and help to take the right decision, I could not find any support from his side. After that incident, he left the hospital notifying me hours later that he was taking the kid with him, that he is going to leave the country for New Zealand and I do not have anything to do with the situation. Without giving me any option and trying to find with me any solution in this hardest situation, he started to circulate the story on every possible platform without even trying to give me a voice accusing that I put him an ultimatum marriage or the baby, which is absolutely not true. I tried several times to communicate but he never tried to listen me and to find common solutions. The only response was the accusation from his part. Sam has never suggested joining him and bringing up the child together in his country. Neither did he tell me anything on the day we filed for divorce.”

People upset by Samuel’s story have been contacting Ruzan on social media, sharing their disgust.

One wrote: “Cannot believe anyone would do something so terrible to their newborn son and wonderful husband. Absolutely sick.”

Another said: “Instead of being his mother and loving Leo you decide to give him away […] You are sick.”

Meanwhile, donations on the fundraising page for the father and his child have risen to more than £130,000, and the total is still increasing. The father plans to use the money to move from Armenia back to his home town of Auckland where the support of his family awaits.

The rest of the cash will be used to fund facilities and programs in Armenia to support parents of disabled children, or to help those who have been abandoned because of their disabilities.

Parents of children with Down’s syndrome have since praised Samuel.

Source: Mirror