February 6, 2015 (LifeSiteNews.com) -- Families are meant to grow together, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. After his son was born with Down syndrome, Samuel Forrest had to live through a heart-wrenching choice: either put him up for adoption or watch his wife walk out of his life. Forrest, who hails from Auckland in New Zealand, was overjoyed when his wife gave birth to their son in an Armenian hospital on January 21. But then he learned that not everyone was as excited about the birth of Leo.
“When the doctor came out, he said 'there’s a real problem with your son,'" Forrest told ABC News. “When I walked into the room they all turned to me and said, 'Leo has Down syndrome.'”
In Armenian hospitals, Forrest said, the hospitals allow parents of children with Down syndrome to give their children up for adoption without taking them home.
"My wife had already decided, so all of this was done behind my back,” he said.
His wife, Ruzan Badalyan, demanded it, telling him to give up their child or she would divorce him, according to Forrest's account.
“They took me in to see him and I looked at this guy and I said, 'He's beautiful. He's perfect, and I'm absolutely keeping him,'" he said.
Badalyan confirmed to ABC News that she has, in fact, filed for divorce from her husband.
To cope with the new expenditures, and being a single father, Forrest has started a GoFundMe page. “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."
As of this writing, Samuel has raised $340,194 – far exceeding his $60,000 goal.
“Nine days after we started our campaign, Leo and I found out in the wee hours of morning that we had crossed our target! He is a lucky guy to have the support of thousands of friends like you around the world,” wrote the proud father.
Poster Comment:
Father of the decade.
