November 9, 2008 8:09 AM
Washington Post: Down syndrome, adoption, and the Curtis Family :)
A Leap of Love
Adoptions of Children With Down Syndrome Are on the IncreaseBy Michael Alison Chandler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 9, 2008; C01
Jonny and Madeleine, the eighth and ninth children in the Curtis family, were born 54 weeks apart but grew up in many ways like twins. Best friends from the beginning, they learned to walk and sound out words together. But Madeleine's development soon outpaced her older brother's.Looking ahead, Barbara and Tripp Curtis worried that Jonny, who has Down syndrome, would be alone as his siblings grew up and left home. And so they adopted Jesse, Daniel and, finally, Justin. All three have Down syndrome.
Now the four brothers, ages 8 to 16, share a bedroom decorated with posters of SpongeBob SquarePants and a framed picture of Jesus in their sprawling Loudoun County house. They also share a love of the Beatles, the Everly Brothers and Special Olympics basketball.
For many parents, a diagnosis of Down syndrome can be overwhelming as they face the likelihood that the child will struggle to live independently and require intensive medical, financial and social support. Most prenatal diagnoses of Down syndrome lead to abortion.
Yet almost 200 families are on a waiting list to adopt a child with Down syndrome in the United States. Others are seeking to adopt such children overseas. Many of those interested in adoption, such as the Curtises, have a child with the genetic condition; some are special-education teachers or motivated by religious beliefs or idealism.
Read entire story here.
Imagine my surprise yesterday at the hospital on Tripp's laptop when I learned via Angie's comment that our family was on the front page of the Washington Post! That story was gathered a month ago when Justin's parents were visiting from Taiwan so it took me by surprise.
Today it is in the C section of the post, but yesterday it appeared on the front page of what I now have learned is called the Bullet Edition - the ones they stock in places like grocery stores on Saturday.
What a blessing and an honor to have the opportunity to promote adoption and Down syndrome and the combination of the two :)
Posted in Adoption, Down syndrome, Family | Permalink
Comments
Thank you so much for sharing this! this was so fantastic to read and the pictures were so special! (Barbara, you LOOK fantastic!!)
Kristy in England
Posted by: kristy in england | November 9, 2008 8:58 AM
Great article Barbara! I cancelled my WP subscription back during the primaries, so I am glad I was able to read this online :)
Posted by: Margaret | November 9, 2008 9:15 AM
Forgive me for feeling famous, Barbara, but I've been around here over a year and read and shared your (autographed!) books...to hear your story was told on the front page is very exciting! I pray God bless you through it...you have so much going on in your life; I know God sees those needs. May you know Emanuel very closely in these days.
Posted by: Jacqueline | November 9, 2008 9:22 AM
Yay!
Posted by: Christina | November 9, 2008 9:33 AM
WOW! Very cool!
Posted by: paigeu | November 9, 2008 11:19 AM
Your family is an inspiration and I love it when God's kids get some good press!!!
Hugs,
Sue
Posted by: Praise and Coffee | November 9, 2008 12:15 PM
How great! And greater yet, what you have done as a family.
I'll be praying for your husband and all of you, that God will provide, and heal, and bless and keep all of you.
Allie
Posted by: Allie | November 9, 2008 1:35 PM
I am so proud!!! Of you!!!
Posted by: Greta | November 9, 2008 6:16 PM
While many people in our neighborhood were lining up to get their presidential election commemorative issues of the Post, I made a trip to the store last night to make sure I got the edition with your family on the front page. :) What a beautiful photo to see on the front of the Post and what a wonderful story.
Molly
Posted by: Molly | November 9, 2008 6:26 PM
What a great article. I'm glad that stories like yours get told.
Posted by: carrien (she laughs at the days) | November 9, 2008 6:41 PM
What wonderful coverage for the values of life and against the culture of death. Congratulations!
Posted by: Sheila | November 10, 2008 2:06 AM
What a very beautiful family, indeed! :o)
Posted by: Isle Dance | November 10, 2008 11:19 AM
I just read this through a link sent out to members of Partners in Policymaking. Encouraging to people. :-)
Posted by: Julana | November 11, 2008 12:40 PM
that is so exciting! I am going to email that link to everyone I know!
Posted by: Momma | November 12, 2008 3:38 PM
Barbara, your family is salt and light to the world.
You said above that you are concerned about Catholics who don't vote for pro-life candidates. So am I, it sickens me.
This is exactly how you win their hearts and minds, by being a wonderful, loving large, diverse family in the public eye.
You make a huge difference to so many people, remember that on the tough days, Barbara!
Posted by: Leticia Velasquez | November 13, 2008 5:59 AM
Wow....thats an amazing story Mrs Curtis. I cant believe that is jonny and jesse(looks like him). But where is Daniel the escape artist? I had a dream about you guys last night. Godsend no? And im so glad i found you guys. Seems like everything is going great. That is wonderful what happened with the news article..going to the washington post.
Posted by: Sean McGuinness | January 9, 2009 8:57 AM
What a very beautiful family, indeed!
Posted by: infant | November 23, 2009 9:51 PM
