Like most fathers, Samuel Forest was eagerly anticipating the arrival of his first born son. He was exciting about everything fatherhood would hold. Diaper changes, baseball games, high school graduation. He had big hopes for his son.

Everything changed on January 21, 2015 when his son Leo was born with Down Syndrome.

Despite his son being born with Down Syndrome it was love at first sight when he saw his baby boy. When Samuel saw him he said, “he’s beautiful, he’s perfect and I’m absolutely keeping him.” Leo’s mother did not feel the same way about their son as Samuel did and immediately decided she wanted to give him up for adoption. She gave her husband an ultimatum and told him that if he kept the baby, she would divorce him.

Paul refused to give up his son for adoption and his wife filed for divorce later that week.

Samuel and Leo are on their own now and will be moving back home to Auckland, New Zealand where they will have the loving support of Samuel’s friends and family. Samuel says that he doesn’t have much and wants to spend the next year working part time so Leo doesn’t have to be in daycare. He knows things are going to be different but the love he has for his son makes everything worth it. Samuel created a GoFundMe page called “Bring Leo Home” to raise money for the upcoming costs the family will face. 

Do you think Samuel made the right decision? What would you have done in his situation?