Fearful No longer: Parents Keep Twins With Down Syndrome After Adoptive Parents Back Out

By Nancy Flanders
Live Action News

Julie McConnel was a mother to three children from a previous relationship when she married her husband Dan. Together, they had a baby boy and decided to try for a girl. At age 45, McConnel knew she was at risk of becoming pregnant with multiples and having a child with Down syndrome. However, she was shocked to learn that not only was she pregnant with twin boys, but they both had Down syndrome.

“As women get older, our eggs start firing off willy-nilly, so we weren’t too surprised to learn that we were having twins,” McConnel told Caters News.

Having twins was one thing, but learning that the boys had Down syndrome was overwhelming for McConnel and her husband.

“The procedure [amniocentesis to diagnosis Down syndrome] was nerve-wracking and the ultrasound already showed several problems, including spots on their hearts and extra fluid build-up, so we weren’t that surprised when we received the news two weeks later that both of the boys had Down syndrome,” she explained. “Still, it was a terrible day and the months afterward were the most stressful and agonizing time in our lives.”

The couple worried that they were too old to give the boys all of the time and care that they were going to need. Knowing they didn’t want to abort their boys, they decided the best thing to do was place them for adoption and they found a couple who wanted to adopt them. However, when the adoptive parents got cold feet and failed to fill out the necessary paperwork, the McConnels decided to learn as much as they could about parenting children with Down syndrome.

Live Action News story continues

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link. Follow us on Facebook, Google, and Pinterest. Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  

National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you are experiencing pain or loss because of an abortion, please know there are many organizations where you can find help. Call 1-800-5WE-CARE.